Do you carry to Church?

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I can certainly understand the "tool" analogy. I mean, I don't have a jack and tire iron stored in my car because I don't feel safe on the tires and am paranoid that one of the tires will blow out at any moment while I'm on the road, but it's definitely not a bad thing that these tools are there in the off chance something does occur. I guess to me, though, a tool seems to be more worth carrying if I feel as though I need it, weighed against how much it will get in the way of things to have it, if I don't need it. I carry a cell-phone because on a near-daily basis it proves itself to be a useful thing to have. One the other hand, I basically never carry a flashlight, because I don't really anticipate needing one. The same, I suppose, applies to guns, in some places and times, I think it just seems like it's best to carry, but most of the time, it doesn't seem necessary.

It doesn't mean I go out looking for trouble, it just means I try to weigh the odds that trouble will come to me. For instance, I mentioned wild animals as a potential danger, so if I go to place where bear and cougar sightings are common, I would weigh that situation as being more dangerous than say driving half a mile to the local supermarket for a roll of toilet paper, and that would justify a greater degree of preparedness.
 
I am sure my pastor wouldn't want guns present in Church but a gun is just an inert tool.A gun is not good or evil. It is the operator that does good or bad things with such tools. I don't think guns are morally off limits anywhere.
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My friend's pastor, on one Sunday, asked him if he'd mind arming himself during Church services after a number of church shootings that we all saw on the news. He opened his coat enough for the Pastor to see his P220 and the Pastor just smiled.

No guns in Church? Seems like people who believe in God are more likely targets that most folks these days.
 
I am wondering what circumstances you are referring to that do not dictate the need?
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Honestly, the only response I can offer is that after attending this particular church (as it is currently located) for over 25 years without any "incident" or indication thereof, I feel that , when speaking of probabilities, there is just no "need" for me to arrive armed.

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.
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Removing a security system (per your example) vs. choosing to remain unarmed during a 45 minute sermon are not at all the same thing. You are taking my statement way, way out of context.

As another thought (just pertaining to the "church" thing), as I stated before, I feel that Im far more likely to be killed in an auto accident on the way to church than I am to encounter a gun-toting offender while at church (given the history of the place). Does this mean that I should then have a rollcage installed in my vehicle to prevent such an auto-related tragedy?

And for those who chose to carry while in church, I have no problem with that. But, God forbid you actually ever have a need to fire your weapon among hundreds of panicked individuals. All I can say is that unless you are adept at shooting, keep it holstered. That is unless you are lucky enough to have any "perp" right in front of you with nobody in the background who may or may not catch a stray/ill-aimed bullet. If you suffer "collateral" damage, your ability to CC within the church, or anywhere for that matter, wont mean squat.

Im sure this last statement will spark many flames..thats fine. But, just because you are "packing," it certainly does not make it prudent to draw the thing (assuming you even get that chance), should the need ever arise. Being surrounded by a large church-going congregation does not do much to assuage these odds. So, do what you want and thats fine by me. But, come Sunday mornings... I will take my chances.

The rest of the time, I will remain armed.
 
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I teach an adult religious education class at church.

One day, before the class, my paster and I were discussing this very topic. After a bit, he drew back his jacket to reveal his sidearm. I looked at him and raised the side of my shirt. We both smiled. :D
 
One day, before the class, my paster and I were discussing this very topic. After a bit, he drew back his jacket to reveal his sidearm. I looked at him and raised the side of my shirt. We both smiled.
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It's a classic moment when this happens. Talking to a friend of mine who ran a car dealership about guns, he pulls up his jacket to reveal a sig sauer...
 
Removing a security system (per your example) vs. choosing to remain unarmed during a 45 minute sermon are not at all the same thing.
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They're more similar more than different. The reason I brought it up was to try to get you thinking about why NOT taking precautions makes you feel like you're "taking a break" when, in reality, NOT taking precautions actually makes you less safe.

I actually understand exactly what you're saying and why. I have friends who won't lock their doors because it makes them feel unsafe. At some level they believe that by locking their doors they would be admitting that they're at risk and by leaving them unlocked they're affirming to themselves that they're safe regardless of what they see on the news.

In other words, like you when you don't carry, they feel that NOT taking simple precautions makes them more safe.

While I understand it, it still doesn't make sense. It would be like saying that having a spare tire in your trunk makes you worry more about getting a flat and that occasionally leaving it in the garage for a day allows you to take a break. Or that having to wear seatbelt makes you worry more about having an accident and that leaving it unbuckled once in awhile allows you to take a break. I know WHY people feel that way, but I also see that it's not something that is based in logic or rooted in reality.
 
I don't yet -- don't have my carry license yet, and while it's on my todo list it's not real high on the list.

I'm not sure if I'd really need a license because I'm an elder in the church -- actually, the only elder (kind of like a bishop) right now, but I hope that changes at our next annual business meeting.

I'm pretty sure the pastor can carry w/o a license because the church is his fixed place of business. It's a lot more of a gray area for me so I'll wait until I'm sure that I am legal. I know our pastor is an NRA member; maybe he does carry. I haven't asked him because a gentleman doesn't ask such things...

We also have a couple of retired cops in the congregation. They *might* be armed (I wouldn't put it past 'em :) )
 
On the few occaions I have gone to church the last few years, I was packin. My brothers and their wives are the only ones that know I have CCW, and they also know that anywhere we go together, I will have 13 rnds of .45 ACP Cor-Bon hollowpoints. They don't all see carrying a gun the same way I do, but they are glad that I have mine everytime I step out the door. They know that I will only use my weapon to protect them and myself, and I think they like the fact that if something happens, they won't have to just pray the police arrive in time.

I am agnostic, and only go to various chruches with family and friends for blessings, baptisms, and kids programs, but, I honestly don't think God is gonna be mad at me for bringing my firearm with me to watch a baby blesing, to protect not only my family, but all those around me that considier themselves God's children. My bishop told me when I was younger, That God doesn't do for us, he makes it so we can do for ourselves.
 
I am an Assistant Pastor, and I carry in my office and at all meetings and gatherings. Several people know that I do, and I think it will ultimately lead to others doing so as well. I know there are other permit holders in the congregation, but I don't think they carry to church.
 
>>>God likes guns<<<

He made John Mosses Browning and Samuel Colt too! ;)

As the good book sayeth: "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed." Luke 11:21 NASB

Cheers,
Oly
 
Apparently its against my religion to pray while armed but arms can be carried into a place of worship. That is to say, under certain circumstances a group of people would pray while others would stand armed, then switch. But to answer the question, I have carried into my place of worship before.
 
Considering the moral responsibility involved with carrying a handgun, I consider it irresponsible to try to forget about it while at church. "We are all children of God" is a good lesson to keep in mind before one fantasizes about blowing away "bad guys."
 
I consider it irresponsible to try to forget about it while at church. "We are all children of God" is a good lesson to keep in mind before one fantasizes about blowing away "bad guys."
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Who fantasizes about "blowing away bad guys"? I carry a gun to protect me and mine. I hope to NEVER "blow away a bad guy", in church or otherwise. However, considering that bad guys give no thought to religious sanctuaries, religious protocol or most especially the lives of those in attendance, I don't see how being prepared in church is any different than being armed at the mall.

Unless The Bible says that God will strike down those with ill intent before they enter the church (and it doesn't) then I'll take my safety into my own hands.
 
Come now, you've been around the gun enthusiast community long enough to meet people who just can't wait to empty a magazine on a mugger.

And just to clarify, I am no way in implying the majority of us are that way, after all I am a self-proclaimed gun nut. At the same time, I think we've all played a couple of all-too-macho scenarios in our heads. It helps to keep that in check.
 
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Come now, you've been around the gun enthusiast community long enough to meet people who just can't wait to empty a magazine on a mugger.
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Only the occasional 12 year old that finds his way onto a forum. They don't usually last long, especially around this forum. Do such people exist (that aren't twelve)? Sure, but to characterize the entire community based on the ideas of a few fringe individuals is naive at best.
 
absolutely

Without the bennefit of having read all of the previous responses, yes I have carried in church more than once. I will do it again. There is no guarentee that I won't be accosted either on the way to or the way from church. I prefer *not* to leave my firearm in an unattended car so I take it inside with me. If it ever comes to light, I will make my position known and let the powers that be decide if they want me to attend or not.

I also do after worship activities and have very obviously carried in my range bag wearing an empty holster when I go to church after a shooting match. The ministers wife has seen me, sized me up and said nothing. And several people know that I have a ccw permit.
 
The reason I brought it up was to try to get you thinking about why NOT taking precautions makes you feel like you're "taking a break" when, in reality, NOT taking precautions actually makes you less safe.
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Its is not my intention to drag this out nor to increase my post count, but I have to comment on this.

Actually, I understand what you are saying; at the same time I just dont see why choosing to go without a weapon (again, just on Sunday mornings) is such a big deal. I am actually more "preparation" conscious than I have obviously illustrated. For example, I keep a loaded weapon, I lock all doors, I have lights "strategically" placed throughout the house and am quick to replace any that burn out, I pay attention to my surroundings when I am "out and about,"....the list goes on.

But, whenever I strap on a weapon (for CC), I tend to start thinking of "why" I am arming myself. The blunt reality is that its because I want to feel "prepared" for the worst, should it ever arrive; I feel there is nothing wrong with that at all. However, when it comes to Sunday mornings, I just prefer to take a "break" (for the lack of a better word) from such thoughts and realities.

Now, this may seem counterintuitive to most, but it essentially boils down to a personal "preference" regarding a particular occasion rather than being demonstrative of my overall thoughts regarding preparation, safety and security during the rest of the week, months, years....life.

I have been a "victim" of violence before as I once had a 9mm shoved in my face during a car-jacking at an out of town carwash. Being told by the gun-weilding punk to "lie face down on the pavement" was a scary thing. Now, I wasnt carrying at the time, but given his close proximity (and the fact that there were multiple individuals involved), even if I were armed I probably would have not been able to defend myself using a weapon. In fact, this individual, more than likely, would have just taken my weapon or shot me as I was attempting to bring my weapon to bear.

Regardless, I know what it feels like to be helpless and I certainly appreciate the notion of being prepared/armed. So, my thoughts regarding "church" most certainly are not due to the idea of taking things for granted or ignoring the rampant violence of the world in which we live. It is simply an "occasion" based choice and nothing more.
 
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Sevens

You put into words what I hope is the feeling of "MOST" ccw permit holders. It is how I feel for sure!

If you have skipped down to this go back and read what "Sevens" wrote!

Dubs you make a good point. I hope that most if not all ccw permit holders are good at hart, not vigal-anti sorts who think it is a "hunting permit for badguys".
 
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