Church concealed carry

Mitch Rapp

Mitch Rapp

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[Moderator note] I moved this into it's own thread because it might be something worth discussing

I am surprised by the number of my fellow Christians, even people at my own church, who are quick to disregard their need for carrying a means of self defense because "God will protect me". I am not saying that he won't, but these same people wear seat belts, buy the newest and finest car seats for their kids, have tons of health and property insurance, etc etc. And all those things are fine! But why not put the same due diligence into self defense? they excuse their lack of responsibility in that area to divine protection, while not relying on divine protection in ANY other area. Notice, the verse [in my signature] doesn't say "who fights my wars for me, and keeps me out of trouble", but rather that He strengthens and you for the fight, if you let him.
 
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I agree. There are many in my church that have Carry permits and I shoot IDPA and IPSC with some, including one Pastor. We have police and even a member of the Secret Service among our members. Man has personal responsibility. I pray I never have to take life.
 
Kevin S. said:
[Moderator note] I moved this into it's own thread because it might be something worth discussing

I am surprised by the number of my fellow Christians, even people at my own church, who are quick to disregard their need for carrying a means of self defense because "God will protect me". I am not saying that he won't, but these same people wear seat belts, buy the newest and finest car seats for their kids, have tons of health and property insurance, etc etc. And all those things are fine! But why not put the same due diligence into self defense? they excuse their lack of responsibility in that area to divine protection, while not relying on divine protection in ANY other area. Notice, the verse doesn't say "who fights my wars for me, and keeps me out of trouble", but rather that He strengthens and you for the fight, if you let him.
Click to expand...

Great points Kevin. I'll bet those people still wear their seat belts on the way to church.

Here is a nice website that can be used to help educate those who feel that carrying and Christianity don't go together. Christian Gun Owner
 
Might add, this got started because of a comment made about the verse in my signature. So to understand the last part of what I said, read the verse down there.
 
Some people I woud prefer to not have a gun in an emergency-----friendly fire?
Some trained help would be extremely useful if a nut showed up at church and started shooting; no time for 911.
 
Many a doctrine have been based on one verse. It is important to understand the intent of the author.
That said... I carry in church. But that's me. Christ had the power to call an army of angels in his defense yet scolded Peter when he used his sword. Who knows... I respect your use of God's word in your signature, but as from the beginning it has caused controversy with man.
 
I would carry but we have 20 freakin armed sheriffs at my church . I have no idea why! Does anyone else go to life church?
 
LStevens said:
Many a doctrine have been based on one verse. It is important to understand the intent of the author.
That said... I carry in church. But that's me. Christ had the power to call an army of angels in his defense yet scolded Peter when he used his sword. Who knows... I respect your use of God's word in your signature, but as from the beginning it has caused controversy with man.
Click to expand...


I agree completely that pulling a verse out of context is dangerous. Just as taking one sentence out of an entire speech can't tell you everything that the speaker believes. My point, and the one that I use the verse to illustrate is simply that I believe God can protect me, but that he also expects me to be aware of what I am doing, and the day and age in which I live, and to no be foolish in my actions. Should I smoke and say "God will protect me from cancer" and expect it to be so? no that would be foolish, and presumptuous. Should I live in an increasingly dangerous society and say "God will protect me"? I would say that is also foolish and presumptuous. I realize that is not an apples to apples comparison, but my point is that there are threats that exist in our day to day lives, and there is a way to defend against them.

Carrying a gun isn't a lack of faith. I have the faith that if I find myself in a situation where it's necessary to use my gun, God will give me the strength and judgement to do what is required so that I and other innocent people may continue to live quiet and peaceable lives.
 
A few Thanksgivings ago, a buddy of mine was back home for a visit with his family. His Father asked for him to attend his church's Thanksgiving service. After the service, dinner was served and as they were talking amongst themselves, my buddy's Dad accidentally "outed" him by saying a little too loudly "Are you carrying your gun?" A lady across the table and down a few seats overhead this and repeated the question. It inevitably ended up that most of those at his table were engaged in the conversation with someone finally saying "God will protect us in his house" to which my buddy replied "Perhaps it is, then, along those lines that He brought me here." That pretty much ended the conversation with many invitations for him to return whenever he was in town and equipped as he saw suitable.
 
The handful of us at my church who carry where talking in the church office and looking at a new handgun I had. My pastor saw me reload the gun, and put it back in it's place on my hip. He knew several of us carried, and had never said anything about it, but is a hunter and has no problem with guns. He had also never given us the "go ahead" but he knew we did, and he would have protested if he didn't want us carrying. Anyway when he actually saw me with the gun he got a look on his face and said "Do you really think that is necessary?" I thought for a second and responded "Can you promise me it never will be?" He shook his head thoughtfully and went on back to his office. Since then he has encouraged those of us who do carry to keep at it.

The point is be prepared to give a thoughtful answer that makes people think. Even if they won't make the decision to carry themselves, they will at least see that it is a good idea that some people do.

Michael, the answer your buddy gave is beautiful.
 
One thing i would be aware of, is that romans 14 addresses these types of "non doctrinal issues" and one of the things it talks about is keeping it between yourself and God. Largely to not put a "stumbling block" in front of someone else. Now of course i see no issue with you posting this here because obviously no one here should/does have an issue. But i would be careful about how much you vocalize in your church/group. Not because i think you are wrong, but because it may be difficult for others to handle and there is no reason to put them in a difficult place if you don't have to. Just something to think about..

p.s. i love stuff like this (religious talk)
 
Hey Rod, friendly fire has always been one of my concerns. I think many that carry have less training than is needed and do not shoot much to maintain good gun handling skills, especially in a stress situation. I was disappointed in OK carry class. I took the class in TX when I lived there and it is way better. Everyone I know that carries I encourage to shoot IDPA or IPSC.
 
I'm not a church going person, but I don't care if it's in church or not, I'm carrying. There have been way too many church/church activities that have had a deranged person take advantage of the unarmed people.

I have the same issue with the folks in the uniformed services not being allowed to carry.
The recent shootings at the base in tx, and the Ihop shootings that occurred yesterday involving the NG troops have me PO'd about the reg that says no personal protection while in uniform.
If I were still in the service, I would be in violation of the law.
 
Its funny...you hear all the time about some lunatic shooting up a restaurant, but you have to google church shootings to find those stories! It happens more than we think...
 
I was wondering what everyone thought about this scenario...
I know or have heard of many newly formed church groups that don't have a building of their own that will meet in a school cafeteria or gymnasium. What would be the law regarding this, since it is on school property, but not a school related function?
 
Any school ground with the exception of Votechs are a no-no for concealed carry. Hopefully one of these days, the idiots that make these stupid exemptions will see the light.

columbine. Need I say more?
 
Maybe I should have put more details, I know that it's "no-no" to carry on school grounds. But the topic was about carrying at church. If the "threat" would present itself at a church building, the fact that the church building is now a school cafeteria isn't going to deter the "threat" from doing whatever it's intent is. The reference to columbine or any other school shooting is just that, a school shooting that took place on school grounds during school hours. I guess what I was asking in a round about way is...If you wanted to carry at church, and if your church is on a school ground, would you still carry even though you're not legally allowed too?
 
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