Concealed Carry in Churches

Gun Watch ^ | 6 November, 2017 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

According to concealedcarry.com, concealed carry is banned in only two states, Nebraska and Louisiana. It requires permission from a church leader in seven states, Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Carolina. In the other 41 states, you have the right to conceal carry in church just as you do in other private property.


The church may ban the practice, just as you may in your own home. But there is no law to prevent you from exercising the Second Amendment in church.

Dean Weingarten

Gun Watch

[smokingfrog]

Not a problem at my church.

[smokingfrog]

The suspected shooter who opened fire in a rural Texas church has been identifed as Devin Kelley, a 26-year-old white male, federal and state law enforcement sources told ABC News.

Kelley is from New Braunfels, Texas.

[Manly Warrior]

FYI- although CC in churches is restricted (may do so with church permission), a CC licensee who chooses to carry anyway is not committing a crime- if he is discovered (?) and asked to he leave, he must, if he refuses and a peace officer is called, he can be ticketed. RSMO 571.107

A non CC licensee (constitutional carry type) who so does is committing a felony....

Carry anywhere you can, avoid places you cannot.

[Fireone]

I don’ understand the concern for carrying where signs are posted. If it’s a situation where you may need your weapon, wouldn’t you just carry, and ignore the sign? No one would know, unless you actually needed your weapon!

[marktwain]

(b)A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed or carried in a shoulder or belt holster, on or about the license holder’s person: (6)on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship. ------------------------------------------------------------ B (6) does not apply unless a 30.06 sign is posted at the entrance to the church. (i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not apply if the actor was not given effective notice under Section 30.06 .

[fungoking]

I’m on our church’s security team, we have multiple conceal carry members in attendance each service.

[Manly Warrior]

Follow up on Missouri Church carry: No concealed carry permit issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121, valid concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, or a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state shall authorize any person to carry concealed firearms into:     (14)  Any church or other place of religious worship without the consent of the minister or person or persons representing the religious organization that exercises control over the place of religious worship.  Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;     2.  Carrying of a concealed firearm in a location specified in subdivisions (1) to (17) of subsection 1 of this section by any individual who holds a concealed carry permit issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121, or a concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, shall not be a criminal act but may subject the person to denial to the premises or removal from the premises.  If such person refuses to leave the premises and a peace officer is summoned, such person may be issued a citation for an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars for the first offense.  So, basically, anyone with a CC license who carries into a church is in violation of a ticket offense ( minor non-traffic) if they are discovered and they refuse to depart and a peace officer is called .... Big deal huh? I love MO!

[EC Washington]

At our church in Columbus, Ohio we had a armed robber come in on a Sunday morning and take purses from some women who were sitting in the back pews. The ushers tackled the guy and held him for the police. After that, we hired an off-duty cop to stand guard on Sunday mornings.

[nobamanomore]

I went to Sat Mass and carried my Glock 30

[ViLaLuz]

I carry concealed in church all the time.

[2nd amendment mama]

You can’t in Pennsylvania

Yes, you can!

[buffyt]

Our pastor said ours is Not a PC church. We don’t endorse or support Social Justice. If you have concealed gun license you are welcome, encouraged to pack heat. If anyone comes into the church armed, shooting, you are welcome to shoot back, protect the church. We love Pastor Marty!

[papertyger]

This guy was in full combat gear including a kevlar vest evidently. A normal 9X19 type slug wouldn’t have stopped him. He was expecting to have fire returned on him.

The judicious shooter knows ATF defines “armor piercing” by bullet content, not by capability. There are judicious choices that can be made that will not run afoul of the law, yet still be effective against such a prepared criminal.

[papertyger]

This guy was in full combat gear including a kevlar vest evidently. A normal 9X19 type slug wouldn’t have stopped him. He was expecting to have fire returned on him.

The judicious shooter knows ATF defines “armor piercing” by bullet content, not by capability. There are judicious choices that can be made that will not run afoul of the law, yet still be effective against such a determined criminal.

[papertyger]

I went to Sat Mass and carried my Glock 30

Not to worry! You can go to confession for packing a foreign .45 instead of a 1911 ;-)

[trebb]

Our church usually has an off-duty cop that is armed - they don’t want the laity to carry but I’d wager mine is not the only concealed weapon in the nave....

[Zippo44]

“Under Texas law, churches can ban concealed or open carry simply by putting up a “no guns allowed” sign. If you are caught carrying a gun in a church with a no guns sign you can be arrested and have your concealed carry permit revoked.”

You are incorrect. The required signage is the 30.06 notice and must be posted at prescribed locations (by each and every entrance. A simple “no guns” sign does not have the force of law. Further, the penalties you cite would only apply if you are asked to leave and refuse.

So your attempt to scare off those who would protect themselves and others is invalid

[GailA]

Depending on type of holster or carry purse, any one could carry and it would not be obvious. A belly band, ankle holster, even my purse has a CCW compartment, not that I like it, I prefer a hip holster. But that doesn’t go with a dress.

Some small ILLEGAL GUN STATS
https://gun.laws.com/illegal-guns/illegal-guns-statistics

[DCBryan1]

I asked, several times, for our United Methodist Church to allow CCW. Esp. after Newtown, CT. Their answer: No. God will protect us. No guns. Guess what? I know of a half dozen guns in the sanctuary at every Sunday.

[nobamanomore]

I have one of those also, and Ed Brown. Do I still have to go?