Church carry in La

preachertim · August 19th, 2008, 10:51 AM

Recently moved to Lousiana and Pastor a small church in Monroe. Called State Police to verify that although Church carry is Prohibited that because I am the Pastor that it is OK. I was told that it was what it said. I am always in and out of the church and if i have to disarm because of this law it is going to upset my carry routine severely. Any comments or help. I have got a call in to the AG s office for them to clarify also.

farronwolf · August 19th, 2008, 11:50 AM

If I am reading the Louisianna statute correctly, you will have to get permision from the actual church members, or whomever owns the property. I assume that since your just the pastor you don't actually own the property, but were just hired to preach.

The provisions of R.S. 40:1379.3 (N) shall not limit the right of a property owner, lessee, or other lawful custodian to prohibit or restrict access of those persons possessing a concealed handgun pursuant to a permit issued under this Section. No individual to whom a concealed handgun permit is issued may carry such concealed handgun into the private residence of another without first receiving the consent of that person.

If you were hired to be the music director, would that be any different than being hired to preach? Like I said, the way I read it you will have to get permission from either the owner, lessee, or whomever the custodian would be in this case.

Also, how long is your AR permit good after you are no longer a resident? I assume your working on getting your LA permit, but will you get it before the deadline runs out on your AR permit as a nonresident?

preachertim · August 19th, 2008, 12:18 PM

I also have A NR New hampshire permit which is good here. Next No one owns our church it is autonimous. If I have that spelled right and is self existant. No one owns it. Plus I live on the property. I have talked to the AG s office and a represenative that is going to petition them for a word on this law and as it relates to the Pastor.

farronwolf · August 19th, 2008, 12:38 PM

The church as a non profit organization will either be organized as a non profit corporation or a non profit association in the state. Either of those will be required to have some sort of directors, officers or other similar leadership for both the state and IRS, that makes descisions regarding matters of property sale, purchase, budgets etc. Are there elders, trustees, or other board members that set your salary and benefits, these same people would actually be considered the custodians of the property in my understanding.

I hope that LA's AG office is better than AR's. lol

Ragin Cajun · August 19th, 2008, 12:42 PM

Good for you Pastor! I wish more Pastors took the same approach. Good luck with your new assignment. Now enjoy the crawfish, gumbo, and all the other good food you will find in La.

preachertim · August 19th, 2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by preachertim

The church as a non profit organization will either be organized as a non profit corporation or a non profit association in the state. Either of those will be required to have some sort of directors, officers or other similar leadership for both the state and IRS, that makes descisions regarding matters of property sale, purchase, budgets etc. Are there elders, trustees, or other board members that set your salary and benefits, these same people would actually be considered the custodians of the property in my understanding.

These Guys all left the Church before I got here

Now what

sandman31774 · August 19th, 2008, 04:19 PM

I know of a church in the shreveport area that lets the pastor carry and some of the deacons...they paid the deacons a dollar/year (some payroll thing) and the church members voted to allow the carry of guns. The person I know that told me about it taught the concealed carry class at the church. She told them she couldn't teach at church but they had contacted state of Louisiana and since pastor,deacons, members had voted then she was allowed to teach and they could carry at church...Only those on 1 dollar/year payroll can carry....hope i made sense with my response ha ha...

farronwolf · August 19th, 2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by preachertim

Now what

I would say that the church needs to get about electing or appointing some leadership, or directors, or officers, or whatever your faith calls the people that run things.

Was there a hiring commitee, that would be the first place to start, and get some people that really like you on there, so that you can tell them straight up, that you want to carry in the church, then they can tell you to go ahead. That should make everyone happy.

havegunjoe · August 19th, 2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by preachertim

Recently moved to Lousiana and Pastor a small church in Monroe. Called State Police to verify that although Church carry is Prohibited that because I am the Pastor that it is OK. I was told that it was what it said. I am always in and out of the church and if i have to disarm because of this law it is going to upset my carry routine severely. Any comments or help. I have got a call in to the AG s office for them to clarify also.

Does it prohibit in church altogether, or allow with permission of someone in charge of the church? Typically these laws are written to give the church the choice as States don't want to dictate how they go about their busniess so I would be surprised if it is not so. Anyway the person in charge would be you IMHO.

JerryM · August 19th, 2008, 05:54 PM

Although no one individual owns the property, the congregation as a whole does unless a denomination does. For example in nearly all Southern Baptist churches, the SBC owns the property no matter that the congregation paid for it. The same is true of some Presbyterian churches.

Assuming the local church congregation owns the church, the church or those elected to represent the church would seem to have the authority.

It will be interesting to learn what the state AG has to say.

Regards,
Jerry

August 19th, 2008, 10:51 AM	#1
preachertim Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 236	Church carry in La Recently moved to Lousiana and Pastor a small church in Monroe. Called State Police to verify that although Church carry is Prohibited that because I am the Pastor that it is OK. I was told that it was what it said. I am always in and out of the church and if i have to disarm because of this law it is going to upset my carry routine severely. Any comments or help. I have got a call in to the AG s office for them to clarify also.

August 19th, 2008, 11:50 AM	#2
farronwolf Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,449	If I am reading the Louisianna statute correctly, you will have to get permision from the actual church members, or whomever owns the property. I assume that since your just the pastor you don't actually own the property, but were just hired to preach. The provisions of R.S. 40:1379.3 (N) shall not limit the right of a property owner, lessee, or other lawful custodian to prohibit or restrict access of those persons possessing a concealed handgun pursuant to a permit issued under this Section. No individual to whom a concealed handgun permit is issued may carry such concealed handgun into the private residence of another without first receiving the consent of that person. If you were hired to be the music director, would that be any different than being hired to preach? Like I said, the way I read it you will have to get permission from either the owner, lessee, or whomever the custodian would be in this case. Also, how long is your AR permit good after you are no longer a resident? I assume your working on getting your LA permit, but will you get it before the deadline runs out on your AR permit as a nonresident? __________________ Just remember that shot placement is much more important with what you carry than how big a bang you get with each trigger pull.

August 19th, 2008, 12:38 PM	#4
farronwolf Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,449	The church as a non profit organization will either be organized as a non profit corporation or a non profit association in the state. Either of those will be required to have some sort of directors, officers or other similar leadership for both the state and IRS, that makes descisions regarding matters of property sale, purchase, budgets etc. Are there elders, trustees, or other board members that set your salary and benefits, these same people would actually be considered the custodians of the property in my understanding. I hope that LA's AG office is better than AR's. lol __________________ Just remember that shot placement is much more important with what you carry than how big a bang you get with each trigger pull.

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August 19th, 2008, 12:18 PM	#3
preachertim Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 236	I also have A NR New hampshire permit which is good here. Next No one owns our church it is autonimous. If I have that spelled right and is self existant. No one owns it. Plus I live on the property. I have talked to the AG s office and a represenative that is going to petition them for a word on this law and as it relates to the Pastor.

August 19th, 2008, 12:42 PM	#5
Ragin Cajun Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 501	Good for you Pastor! I wish more Pastors took the same approach. Good luck with your new assignment. Now enjoy the crawfish, gumbo, and all the other good food you will find in La.

August 19th, 2008, 04:19 PM	#7
sandman31774 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: louisiana Posts: 49	I know of a church in the shreveport area that lets the pastor carry and some of the deacons...they paid the deacons a dollar/year (some payroll thing) and the church members voted to allow the carry of guns. The person I know that told me about it taught the concealed carry class at the church. She told them she couldn't teach at church but they had contacted state of Louisiana and since pastor,deacons, members had voted then she was allowed to teach and they could carry at church...Only those on 1 dollar/year payroll can carry....hope i made sense with my response ha ha...

August 19th, 2008, 05:54 PM	#10
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 766	Although no one individual owns the property, the congregation as a whole does unless a denomination does. For example in nearly all Southern Baptist churches, the SBC owns the property no matter that the congregation paid for it. The same is true of some Presbyterian churches. Assuming the local church congregation owns the church, the church or those elected to represent the church would seem to have the authority. It will be interesting to learn what the state AG has to say. Regards, Jerry