[metmom]

I know men at my church who come to church carrying.

And I’d trust them with my life. They’re honorable men with integrity who would lay down their lives to protect others should a shooter come in.

[imardmd1]

I see your point, and I believe in it. However, let me suggest something here, and that is to ask yourself, "Why--when he had instructed all to obtain sidearms-- did Jesus say that two swords was enough?"

I think you can work that out, but for starters here's a thought:

=====

(1) I'd like to be able to say that I trust other humans 100%, but knowing Jeremiah 17:9, my trust in other humans is not 100%, ever--it is a calculated risk. And that means it is statistical in nature. (In God we trust, everybody else demonstrate some level of reliability.)
(2) So, in any assembly of other humans, we are all sitting ducks, a 'gun-free zone' for some deranged possessor of a firearm, if no one else is allowed to carry a sidearm.
(3) If, on the other hand, if carrying is allowed, and if even one in that assembly is likely to carry, the statistics of an attacker to commit mass murder goes way down.
(4) Yet if such an assembly has only one member carrying a deadly weapon, the possibility of him/her opening up with it irrationally, though minute, is not zero, for only God knows his/her heart, nor the judgment of that member in a very heated moment (remember Peter's lack of spiritual judgment on Olivet).
(5) But if there is another member, also considered reliable, and is carrying, the probability of either of them endangering the assembly goes way, way down, eh? (6) That makes the decision of the group to follow Christ's command on this--and allow the assembly to enjoy the same rights as the general population--an entirely logical, reasonable, and acceptable one.

=======

That is why I would rather be attending a local church where one could pretty much be assured that others in the congregation would likely also be carrying. I would be greatly encouraged if the preacher (who would likely be at most of the meetings) was known to be setting the example.

Of course, for those attenders who have developed an irrational fear of personal firearms, it might be very wise to ask that licensed and well-concealed carry of deadly weapons (CCDW) would be the preferred mode of presence in the assembly. That also improves the situation, for a person with injurious intent would not know from which point a defending action would come. Or several points, hopefully.

I think it is really stupid of a church to make the rule those licensed to carry firearms are not allowed to bring them whenever they desire, especially when thoughtfully concealed.

See what I mean? I think that is why two is the minimum acceptable number acceptable, but more desired. (At the time of Jesus capture, the display of more than a couple of sidearms among his disciples might not have been very propitious to the occasion. They might have been taken to be a band of thieves and robbers. Jesus needed to get to the cross, not be executed summarily right there at His arrest. And actually, only two of the disciples had "happened" to have their sidearms.)

Thank you for your testimony on this issue.