Posted on 06/27/2009 4:10:05 PM PDT by marktwain
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A gun-toting Kentucky pastor says it's OK to pack heat at church _ at least for one day.
Ken Pagano asked his flock to bring their unloaded handguns _ in holsters _ to New Bethel Church in Louisville for a celebration of the Second Amendment. When the event got under way a little after 5 p.m. Saturday, about 200 people _ many carrying small firearms _ sat in the Pentecostal church sanctuary.
"We are wanting to send a message that there are legal, civil, intelligent and law-abiding citizens who also own guns," Pagano said in greeting the audience, which included people who do not belong to his church.
"If it were not for a deep-seated belief in the right to bear arms, this country would not be here today," he said, drawing hearty applause and exclamations of "amen!"
Pagano says he got the idea for the event after some of his church members expressed concern about the Obama administration's views on gun control, though the president hasn't moved to put new restrictions on gun ownership. He says the gathering was meant to promote safe gun ownership.
The "Open Carry Celebration" included a handgun raffle, patriotic music and screening of videos on gun safety. The church hung patriotic banners on the wall that read "In God We Trust."
The pastor said that he himself did not carry a gun at the event.
Pagano's Protestant church, which attracts up to 150 people to Sunday services, is a member of the Assemblies of God and is in a conservative part of southwest Louisville.
(Excerpt) Read more at wtop.com ...
I’m not a gun owner. I’m a gun “guardian”. My guns are like family members to me.
My father in-law is pastor of our church. I carry my Glock to Church every Sunday. Funny thing is, I’m not the only one. Woe unto them who come to our church and want to start trouble.
Self Reliant/Survivalist ping list
He wants them unloaded? How stupid.
There is more than one member of my packing. In our church it’s not big deal. We even use one of the church buildings for carry permit classes.
I would like to see churches focus on the Bible instead of gimmicks. Too many preachers use smoke and mirrors to hide their absence of scholarship.
One church I visited I could swear the guy got his lesson off the internet and just reviewed it the day before. Some weeks later he put his outline on a Powerpoint presentation and forgot to hide the web address of the source. Something like, "Sermons 'R Us.com."
I remember back in the day before sermon aids and computers where preachers actually had to study sermons and where communities actually were interested in truth.
Today the only churches doing well are those that orient their services to a Sesame Street crowd.
BTW, the preacher insists the guns be unloaded? Yeah, an unloaded gun will do a lot of good. Put it in a sock and you can beat someone to death.
Loaded -- or it stays home...
I approve of citizen carry (open or concealed) at all times in all places the citizen wishes to do so (only other citizens' private property rights over-ruling).
I’ve packed a piece to church several times...especially when there’s been news of some nut walking into churches and firing into the congregation—unlike those stated in the article. And I guarantee mine is locked and loaded. There’s an obligation to protect the congregation in such cases.
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