Church Carry

M

Mercenary

New member
Yesterday we were in church singing and I happen to glance outside the window and noticed two shady looking individuals both dressed in a Goth-style wardrobe featuring long black trench coats. Their behavior was odd enough that I stopped singing and watched them pass by the outside of the church very slowly. They never spoke to eachother but they sure looked to be on a mission. I couldn't help but think of Columbine.

My CCW was in the glove box of our car at the time and the thought came to me if something happened, we were all sitting ducks. My CCW is a full sized M&P and even in a IWB holster, its just not very feasible for sitting stationary for over an hour.

How many of you carry to church? Do you carry your usual EDC or a smaller pocket gun???
 
i carry in church every week. the law (at least in ohio) is that churches are not one of the places you can carry without permission. you need permission from the pastor and staff. my church is large enough that there are plain clothes security in almost every service. most people who go to the church don't know this. i didn't know until i became an usher. the last thing you want is to be shot by a good guy who didn't know you were a good guy.

my advice if you carry in church is to sit in a back corner, so you can survey the whole sanctuary. know all entry and exit points, so you can watch for sketchy characters entering, and so you can direct people towards alternate exits. also, ask the staff to be introduced to the head of security. this way, you can be introduced the plain clothes security personnel in your service, so you recognize each other if anything goes down. small churches are easier, since everyone knows everyone. being an usher, i recognize and am recognized by most people in my service. this is not true for most people. there could be 20 or more people carrying in my service, and i would never know. there are 6 i know of in my service alone.

we are a very casually dressed church. my specific service is mostly jeans and golf shirts. even as an usher, this is my common attire. carrying iwb while being an usher is one of the times you are most likely to get spotted. everyone is seated and staring right at your waist as you pass the offering plate. even in the summer when my clothes are very thin, no one sees me with a walther pps in a kydex holster from fist.
 
Last edited:
You will definitely need to check your laws. I don't think you can carry in Michigan in a church or place of worship. I haven't gone in so long, but it seems to me it says that right on the card.
 
Almost everyone I know who carries I know from church. We have a security team. There is always at least 4 of us at any service and usually more like 6 or 8. Every type of carry is represented. IWB, OWB, pocket, ankle, shoulder holsters. Full size semis, 1911s, LCP, Glock subcompacts, M&Ps

It ain't hard to conceal in church. Just like every other place, no one is paying any attention.
 
I always carry at church, usually my Ruger LCP in my back pocket. Occasionally it's cool enough to wear a sweater, and then I sometimes switch to my 637 snubbie OWB.
 
I carry every service, either a Keltec P32, S&W 642 or a Glock 17. I know at least two other deacons and a retired police officer that carries as well.
 
Our service is usually attended by less than seventy-five people, but I can always look around and see at least two other full-time LEOs present. All of us carry full/compact, IWB/OWB. Several others in the congregation are avid CCW holders, and avid shooters. I would imagine at least a couple of them are also carrying.

The only CCW I've noticed without intently looking was a younger gentleman this past summer, who was trying out a new Blackhawk kydex OWB he had just bought for his G23. Polo shirt and jeans. The butt printed, when his shirt was ever-so-slightly tucked behind it as he stood up. Embarassed when I asked if he had a new "toy" he was trying out, he explained that he thought the new holster might be more discreet than his leather, which had recently started to "creak", when he wore his new leather belt.

Whatever set-up you are comfortable with should serve you well. Church pews, restaurant chairs, or theater seats all require about the same comfort levels. Although the movie house may have padded upholstery, you're probably sitting for a much longer time.

Focus on your personal physical comfort, then dress accordingly.
 
Church carry if -

You get permission from the staff.
Our church family is shrinking. there are few strangers.
I know of two other men carrying at church.
 
dev-null said:
church shootings do happen
Click to expand...
True, but they've been by upset members of the congregation, not by scary-looking kids in long coats.
Click to expand...
This is NOT true. The shooting in that western mega-church awhile back, the one where the shooter was taken down by the woman congregant/security officer, was not a member of the congregation. The shooter was a guy who was there solely to assassinate a doctor because he (the doctor) performed abortions.

That's just one. I have no doubt that a cursory search for church shootings will show that most are not perpetrated by members of the congregation.
 
Doesn't make sense to me to make the decision to carry a firearm for protection and NOT carry it everywhere you're legally allowed. Makes even less sense to leave it in a vehicle that can be broken into rather than have it with you, if it isn't against the law. Of course I carry at church.
 
This has been discussed before, I'm pretty sure.
Click to expand...

many times.

Quote:
church shootings do happen
Click to expand...
True, but they've been by upset members of the congregation, not by scary-looking kids in long coats.
Click to expand...

Most church security situations are going to consist of dealing with the mildly deranged, ex-spouses, and getting kids back to the right parent. And combinations of these.

This is a good listen: Proarms podcast talks to Jon Hodaway on church security among other things.
 
One case does not a rule make. Perhaps I should have said "...in an overwhelming majority of cases." At any rate, none of these were perpetrated by scary kids in long coats who were walking by, AFAIK.

If it seems I'm harping on this it's because this is yet another in a seemingly endless line of posts which, while they raise valid "what if" strategy/tactics questions, are predicated on paranoia about "people who look different." I see post after post along the lines of "I was pumping gas and some guy walked past and looked at me funny... Good thing I was armed!!!"

To me, "I was wondering about the best way to carry in church" is a rational question, while IMHO "I saw two kids and they were wearing something that reminded me of Columbine and now I want to know how I can carry in church" is a question driven by paranoia. (Before anyone says that one person's paranoia is another person's survival instinct, look up the clinical definition of a paranoid belief.)


All standard disclaimers apply, YMMV, void where prohibited, some assembly required, batteries not included...
 
I carry in every place it is legal to do so, including church.
Click to expand...
Same for me. In Oklahoma Churches are not off limits.
To me, "I was wondering about the best way to carry in church" is a rational question, while IMHO "I saw two kids and they were wearing something that reminded me of Columbine and now I want to know how I can carry in church" is a question driven by paranoia. (Before anyone says that one person's paranoia is another person's survival instinct, look up the clinical definition of a paranoid belief.)
Click to expand...
I carry a Taurus 617 7shot .357 snub IWB Appendix conceals great comfortable and easy to get to if I need it.
 
Mercenary
...How many of you carry to church? Do you carry your usual EDC or a smaller pocket gun???
Click to expand...

I have just read your OP only so far, but I can tell you that even Saint Peter himself would have to tell me that I can't CCW when I get there (fingers crossed)...I carry everywhere (or I don't go).

In this world we live in...Get serious...

-Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top