OC at Church?

[Double T]

Our family has been asked for the past month to attend a church in our county with a school and a daycare. While I admire the churches gumption to come each and every Saturday to get us to attend, I will not attend a church where I cannot carry at all.

It is quite frustrating as they seem to be genuinely caring people.

If a church is going to judge you, or condemn you for carrying a handgun then perhaps it's time to change venues.

Self and family defense is a scripturally sound principle, as is defending one's neighbor. If they do not like someone (or have "ministries" that altogether prohibit) the carry of a firearm , then perhaps their doctrines are flawed elsewhere.

Not trying to preach, as I am a believer without a local fellowship; but I do have issues with a church trying to control an aspect of my life, especially one so important.

/steps down from pulpit

 

[ashby koss]

IMHO a great suit with the right OC holster and beautiful firearm is a very good look. Like wearing a nice tie, It seems a part of the ensemble.

 

[ryanmercer]

Just make sure your church doesn't have a licensed school/daycare and hope it doesn't offend anyone in the congregation. I don't go to church, if I did I'd conceal. I just don't care for open carry, it draws unnecessary attention and brings the mall ninjas out of the woodwork (an incident I had at Kroger)--> https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...kroger_speedway_shopping_center_location.html

 

[ryanmercer]

Our family has been asked for the past month to attend a church in our county with a school and a daycare. While I admire the churches gumption to come each and every Saturday to get us to attend, I will not attend a church where I cannot carry at all.

It is quite frustrating as they seem to be genuinely caring people.

If a church is going to judge you, or condemn you for carrying a handgun then perhaps it's time to change venues.

Self and family defense is a scripturally sound principle, as is defending one's neighbor. If they do not like someone (or have "ministries" that altogether prohibit) the carry of a firearm , then perhaps their doctrines are flawed elsewhere.

Not trying to preach, as I am a believer without a local fellowship; but I do have issues with a church trying to control an aspect of my life, especially one so important.

/steps down from pulpit

Technically you can carry there, get them to put you on the payroll, 1 hour a month janitorial, heh, just tell them they probably shouldn't tell their insurance carrier.

 

[tj_v89]

Why worry about what others think? It's between you and God at that point. What others think or don't think of me.....never enters my decision making process. Will what others think stop a crime if it happens to you?

I think youre missing the point of the question...its more about OC vs CC....not about carrying or not carrying....I think that CC is the way to go in almost any situation personally, but I also think that to completely neglect peoples perception of you is not the smartest thing you can do.

 

[1775usmarine]

To me church is church and I leave mine in my car under the seat out of view. I would rather hear the word and give people their peace instead of possibly causing a scene.

 

[Blackhawk2001]

In the ongoing OC vs CC debate, the thought has struck me: how do you, personally, view your EDC? Is it a talisman to prevent evil from befalling you-and-yours, or is it another tool you carry, like nail clippers or a pocket knife; carried in case of need?

I would think seeing another member carrying a pistol openly in church would be distracting, at the very least. Personally, I would take such a NATURAL reaction into account if I were going to carry in a church; it just seems to be a common courtesy to others to not deliberately distract them in a venue where one would not ordinarily be expected to see weapons displayed.

 

[Double T]

Technically you can carry there, get them to put you on the payroll, 1 hour a month janitorial, heh, just tell them they probably shouldn't tell their insurance carrier.

The school is acredited, and the daycare licensed. Not entirely sure they are going to hire a noobie, or grant a noobie express written permission.

 

[cosermann]

Absolutely carry at church. CC, I mean, I'm usually wearing a suit coat so it's easy. Our denomination has at least one pastor that was martyred, in part, for advocating for the lawfulness of carrying defensive arms - specifically in the worship service - actually taught it was the people's DUTY to carry arms in church for the defense of themselves during meetings.

James Renwick - d 1688.

 

[ATM]

To me church is church and I leave mine in my car under the seat out of view. I would rather hear the word and give people their peace instead of possibly causing a scene.

If and when the day comes that their peace is shattered by a violent criminal, I hope you are able to somehow reconcile your choice, having relegated to the parking lot an effective means of preventing or minimizing whatever damage is inflicted.

 

[Caleb]

Personally I would find a different church, or just not mention it but I would always carry. Which is worse, hurting your pastor's feelings by taking an inanimate object into a building or the feeling you will get IF someone ever did happen and you needed it but it was in the car?

If I didn't like my preacher and my church, maybe then... He is also a gun guys, however we get a lot of new people(mostly people who are lost) and he doesn't want to scare them off before getting a chance to minister to them.

 

[thatgtrguy]

Our church we recommend CC. We accept that there are dangerous people in the world. But we aspire to be a community of peace. Peace with God, Peace with ourselves, and peace with those in the church who might be anti-gun.

 

[JettaKnight]

Technically you can carry there, get them to put you on the payroll, 1 hour a month janitorial, heh, just tell them they probably shouldn't tell their insurance carrier.

Simply being employed isn't enough - you actually have to be authorized instead. Become a member of the security team.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

A licensed daycare you mean.

I wouldn't bet on that. Here is a thread I started about that.
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo..._defense/242125-church_preschool_daycare.html

The opinions (not legal advice) of a couple of our attorney members was interesting, along with one of the quoted cases.

 

[JettaKnight]

I don't open carry much anyways so not a big deal.

I had a women at church look at me the other week with a startled look, "Where's your jacket? Why aren't you carrying to protect me?"

I told her I had my Supertuck rig on instead.

 

[Spikedog]

I CC at church.

 

[whitetailbowhunter]

I don't see anything wrong with CC but personally, I don't feel church is the place for OC. People are there to hear the word but to many of them will get lost glaring at your piece. I am the type of person that can respect a smokers right to smoke but just because he can smoke doesn't mean he needs to blow the smoke in my face. Same with a gun. Just my personal thoughts.

Well said! I don't feel there is a need to OC in a church. it's a respectful place and you should respect everyone there as well.

 

[1775usmarine]

If and when the day comes that their peace is shattered by a violent criminal, I hope you are able to somehow reconcile your choice, having relegated to the parking lot an effective means of preventing or minimizing whatever damage is inflicted.

When my time comes it comes. I survived 2 tours in Iraq, a brain tumor when I was 7, so I'm not too concerned if my time comes listening to the word

 

[ATM]

When my time comes it comes. I survived 2 tours in Iraq, a brain tumor when I was 7, so I'm not too concerned if my time comes listening to the word

Well, yeah, the dead have it much easier. They don't have to cope with the aftermath, the senseless loss of innocent friends and loved ones to violent crime

...or be haunted by the knowledge they might have been able to make a difference. You can always pray that you don't survive such an ordeal.

 

[1775usmarine]

Well, yeah, the dead have it much easier. They don't have to cope with the aftermath, the senseless loss of innocent friends and loved ones to violent crime

...or be haunted by the knowledge they might have been able to make a difference. You can always pray that you don't survive such an ordeal.

That's funny you should say that because I have seen things in war you probably wouldn't understand. I guess you must of forgot what i said earlier about surviving Iraq twice, or were you too busy trying to attack my beliefs?