Do you carry to Church?

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I was just thinking about this in service this morning. I live in Ohio and it is a no-go as Sevens has so kindly pointed out. I am going to approach our "head" pastor and ask his opinion about it and go from there. We have a ton of outdoorsman including two of our pastors...heck our church looks like a lodge. We will see.

Beentown
 
Ok, I can see me comment about "high crime" area has resulted in various comments. Let me put it this way then. I have attended this church for the past 25 years and have yet to hear of any "violent" crimes taking place within 5 miles of this facility. Now, is it possible things could change? Sure, anything is possible. But, probable? Nah.

I have no problem with carrying a weapon into church. However, it is nice to be able to actually go somewhere without feeling the burning need to have cold steel next to my body just in order to feel "safe." If I cant feel "safe" in church, to some degree, where else is there?

So, unless I feel that a group of individuals bearing full auto weapons are out to slay church goers, Im simply not worried. But, thats just me.
 
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The worst church shooting in TX (Wedgwood Baptist) happened in a middle class, low crime neighborhood. From what I can determine, church shootings are not motivated by what typically drives the average criminal. In other words, the crime statistics for the area containing the church are not particularly useful in determining if the church will be the target of a church shooting.
 
In other words, the crime statistics for the area containing the church are not particularly useful in determining if the church will be the target of a church shooting.
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Agreed. Im simply stating my thoughts/history regarding where I attend. I am not trying to imply that any church is somehow a "safe haven" impervious to violent crime. However, based on my particular case, I do not feel it necessary to carry in this instance. If others feel differently, thats fine. I mean, even if I did carry (in church) and some violent offender chose this facility for some reason; given the many hundreds in attendance, would I actually have the chance nor want to risk firing at him with so many others around? Collateral damage anyone? No thanks. I will only let paranoia take me so far.

Frankly, Id be much more concerned about encountering violence within a school/university than I would any church. Honestly, I would probably be more likely to be in a fatal car crash on the way to or from church than I would be to encounter violence while attending. But, again, thats just my take on this matter.
 
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I carry everywhere allowed by law

Houston is one of the biggest cities in the country, I go to a church where thousands are in attendance at any given service. One time I got up to go to the bathroom and was redirected by a group of ushers because I was going near the hall where all the offering baskets were being sorted out. That moment a thought went off in my head.... what is to keep some idiot from coming into one of our services thinking "Hey there are thousands of people in there and if they all give a dollar that means there are thousands of dollars in there for me to rob" I doubt they would get very far but that doesn't mean it could never happen. So my answer is yes I carry in church, that is where I pray that I never have to use it and if I do, that the good lord will protect me.
Si vis pacem, para bellum!
 
yup. and my pastor packs as well. there are four of us total are always carrying. not an organized team per se, but we all know the others are carrying. i don't think anyone outside of us know that we do.
 
After reading most of the responses to the OP, I can only say that it is a shameful sign of the times that the scumbags of the earth have caused such paranoia that many feel it necessary to be armed while attending church services.

The world can be a dangerous place no matter where you live, currently are or are currently doing. This I accept. However, sometimes its nice to take a break from all of the "doom and gloom" mess...at least for 45 minutes every Sunday morning anyway.
 
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At the New Life shooting in Colorado Springs, the woman who shot and killed the shooter was a former law enforcement officer that was volunteering as a member of church security. She was carrying concealed. A lot of people think she was a paid security guard, but in reality, she was a member of a team of church volunteers who provided a minimal amount of security (basically watching for vandalism, protesters, etc...) Having attended services there before, you'd never even know who security was. The pastor claimed she saved over a hundred lives with her quick action and chances are, she did.
 
After seeing that almost everyone posting here agrees with "packing" while in church, I can only say that it is a shameful sign of the times that the scumbags of the earth have caused such paranoia that many feel it necessary to be armed within the church walls.
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I don't see any paranoia in carrying to a place where I or my family go, whether that's the mall, doctor's office, grocery store, church or work. If I'm out and about and the gun is allowed, I carry. I didn't take the classes and get the permit to have it sitting in a safe at home.
 
CopelandXD- I agree and I would carry just about anywhere. But, church is one place I choose not to, even if I am legally able to do so. My circumstances do not dictate such a "need;" the circumstances/needs of others will most certainly differ from mine. So be it.
 
inSight- While I certainly respect the choices people make as far as when they do or do not carry, I am wondering what circumstances you are referring to that do not dictate the need?
 
The world can be a dangerous place no matter where you live, currently are or are currently doing. This I accept. However, sometimes its nice to take a break from all of the "doom and gloom" mess...at least for 45 minutes every Sunday morning anyway.
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Ok, does the following make sense to you?

"I used to have a security system on my house, but it was forcing me to dwell on the "doom and gloom" mess so I had it removed. Now anytime I'm at home I can take a break from "doom and gloom" mess."​

It doesn't make sense to me at all--I don't understand the idea that a person would feel that NOT taking precautions allows them to "take a break". In fact, I find taking reasonable precautions is precisely what allows me to "take a break", and not just for 45 minutes a week, but nearly all the time.
 
what do i carry to church? my wallet. michigan will not allow us to carry inside the church. so i could take it as far as the parking lot, but i would have to leave it in the car.
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Carrying in church (place of worship) is legal in MI with permission of the pastor (presiding official).


I would not "brother up" with an organization that did not support or promote carrying.
 
I'm just curious and maybe some of the other members can shed some light on this. Why is it most states do NOT allow carry in church, sporting events, gatherings of large numbers of people along with the rest of places on that said long list.
 
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