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I was the same about carrying in church at first. Then I studied and got some info like is posted here at TCHL.

I had the realization that my firearm is not evil. I am not evil and have no intention of wrongly harming anyone. Guns are no more bad or good than my bible. What makes my gun good is my heart and intent. What makes a Bible good is the Truth it holds. It is not disrespect to burn Bible that is worn. It is not disrespect to carry or fire a gun in Church in defense of life or the Faith itself. I think it is our duty and part of our faith to defend others and our beliefs with our lives if necessary. Christ said we can have no greater love than to lose our lives for our friends. Me shooting at a bad guy will draw his attention and possibly save others, if nothing else. That is enough for me. I had rather live but to die is gain.

The only thing I could find is that if carrying offended one of my brothers or sisters I would not carry there. That is, if someone found out I carried and would not be swayed by my argument; I would not carry as advised by the Bible for harmony. A 30.06 sign would also mean that for me. Educate, but not offend if that is their desire. Since no one seems to have a problem with me carrying I continue to. It is up to you. I consider it as natural as wearing shoes to protect my feet. That is my opinion.

I know of a few active LEOs and a retired DPS trooper who all carry at my church, so I have no reservations about it at all.

In fact, after orchestra practice last night, I was talking to an LEO about his G19, and I got to see night sights in person for the first time (in a side room away from public view).

I carry in Church but I believe "concealed" means concealed from knowledge and not simply hidden from sight. I don't tell anyone, even my Pastor, that I am licensed to carry but I am absolutely certain he knows. There have been too many "coincidences" for me to believe otherwise.

Last week, the Pastor asked to speak with me about CHL and I filled him in. He takes his training next week. I took a look at his gun, an S&W 915, and I fixed him up with a holster. I should mention that I've shot with him before and he has good instincts that I can easily improve with a little coaching and we've scheduled that for Sunday after Services.

Every flock has a Shepherd and every Shepherd has a sheepdog that watches the perimeter. More sheepdogs are always welcome.

shootthesheet wrote:I was the same about carrying in church at first. Then I studied and got some info like is posted here at TCHL.

I had the realization that my firearm is not evil. I am not evil and have no intention of wrongly harming anyone. Guns are no more bad or good than my bible. What makes my gun good is my heart and intent. What makes a Bible good is the Truth it holds. It is not disrespect to burn Bible that is worn. It is not disrespect to carry or fire a gun in Church in defense of life or the Faith itself. I think it is our duty and part of our faith to defend others and our beliefs with our lives if necessary. Christ said we can have no greater love than to lose our lives for our friends. Me shooting at a bad guy will draw his attention and possibly save others, if nothing else. That is enough for me. I had rather live but to die is gain.

The only thing I could find is that if carrying offended one of my brothers or sisters I would not carry there. That is, if someone found out I carried and would not be swayed by my argument; I would not carry as advised by the Bible for harmony. A 30.06 sign would also mean that for me. Educate, but not offend if that is their desire. Since no one seems to have a problem with me carrying I continue to. It is up to you. I consider it as natural as wearing shoes to protect my feet. That is my opinion.

Very well written.

I carry at church as does all of my family. I don't know how many if anyone knows because I do my best to keep it concealed. Nor do I know how many others carry except for a very few close friends.

My pastor knows that I am licensed but doesn't know if I am armed or not at any given time. Concealed means concealed.

Why CC? To protect the innocent.

I traveled to my hometown to spend mother's day w/ Mom.
On our way out the door to church, Mom asks, "You aren't going to carry a gun in church, are you?"
My replay was, "Of course I am."

We left it at that.

One of the things I love about my religion, Judaism, is there's a rich history of introspection on issues like this. After Virginia Tech, there was many discussions about gun control, and lots of the commentary I heard was very positive. "Guns are dangerous, and should be treated with respect, but its not the implement thats the problem, its the intent behind it."

One of my favorite bits of the Talmud is quoted in this article:

"You shall not stand by [the shedding of] your fellow's blood. [I.e., do not stand by,] watching your fellow's death, when you are able to save him; for example, if he is drowning in the river or if a wild beast or robbers come upon him. — [Torath Kohanim 19:41; Talmud, Sanhedrin 73a]"

In a little bit of trivia, I think the first time you ever heard "weapons don't kill people, people kill people" was in Genesis 4:20-24.

Lemech taught one of his sons metallurgy. His wife basically freaked out, saying, "HEY! he can make weapns and kill people with them!"
Lemech responds to his wife, "Adah and Zillah, hearken to my voice; wives of Lemech, incline your ears to my words; for have I slain a man by wounding (him)? A child by bruising (him)?" In other words, "weapons don't kill people, people do it; with weapons."

shootthesheet wrote:I was the same about carrying in church at first. Then I studied and got some info like is posted here at TCHL.

I had the realization that my firearm is not evil. I am not evil and have no intention of wrongly harming anyone. Guns are no more bad or good than my bible. What makes my gun good is my heart and intent. What makes a Bible good is the Truth it holds. It is not disrespect to burn Bible that is worn. It is not disrespect to carry or fire a gun in Church in defense of life or the Faith itself. I think it is our duty and part of our faith to defend others and our beliefs with our lives if necessary. Christ said we can have no greater love than to lose our lives for our friends. Me shooting at a bad guy will draw his attention and possibly save others, if nothing else. That is enough for me. I had rather live but to die is gain.

The only thing I could find is that if carrying offended one of my brothers or sisters I would not carry there. That is, if someone found out I carried and would not be swayed by my argument; I would not carry as advised by the Bible for harmony. A 30.06 sign would also mean that for me. Educate, but not offend if that is their desire. Since no one seems to have a problem with me carrying I continue to. It is up to you. I consider it as natural as wearing shoes to protect my feet. That is my opinion.