I CC in church, but would never consider OC. I'm not worried about "antis", people freaking out, etc. I just feel that church is a place people come to worship, reflect, etc, and it would be overly distracting for other members to have someone OCing.
Only OC i've ever seen in church was by a cop we all knew. He was in uniform too. And it's not legal to CC in churh in Louisiana. Not sure about OC, but if the pastor is cool with CC then all good. A church would have to pass it in there by-laws to appoint a "security group" or have written proof by pastor.
I've seen a LEO in uniform OCing a revolver in church. I personally would not OC in church for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it would be distracting to others. OMO
I'm the pastor...I CC but we ask people not to OC. We want the focus to be on the Lord not on us, so we ask that people CC to keep the focus on Him. If they do not have the ability to CC we are willing to check their firearm or put it in their car.
It's honestly never been a problem. We usually have 5-8 guys CCing on any given Sunday. That guy who shot Dr. Tiller in church yesterday and then threatened two people before leaving would never have made it out the doors. A sad tragedy that probably couldn't have been prevented.
The thought never even crossed my mind to OC in Church. It is also not permitted to CC in my church in Utah, it is private property that is registered with the state as a no carry place of worship.
While I have no problem with OC'ing, I feel some places are not the appropriate location for doing so. Church is one of those places where I don't feel it would be appropriate.
Here in Missouri a church is one of the places that you cant CCW, unless you have the pastor's permision. Our church has a security team, which a local police officer that attends our church is the head of. and he ALWAYS cc (but he has never been in uniform)
Once when I was a pre-teen (Early July 1976 to be exact), I OCed a replica musket to church, while in colonial costume, in honor of the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Does that count?
When we were doing church regularly I carried concealed (once I got my permit).
Once in Coolidge (small town) before I had my permit, I was out shooting with a pastor friend of mine. He asked me to preach that night. So yes, I have OC'd in church and even preached once open carrying.
Same church I led Bible study for almost a year, I'd drive down from Phoenix, go shooting with the pastor then teach the study while carrying open. When I got my permit and started carrying concealed, more than half the class asked me why I didn't have my gun with me. :nono:
In Coolidge having a firearm open or concealed is not uncommon, so the "shock factor" is simply not what it would be in Phoenix. That was several years ago, maybe now it would be different.
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