Posted on Jun 18, 2017
SSG William Jones
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SSG(P) Photographer/Owner
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I carry at all times. That's why it's called concealed carry...because you don't know I'm carrying a firearm. Those signs that say no weapons won't stop a criminal, so why should it stop me? I'm making sure I have means to protect myself.
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SSG Squad Leader
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SSG(P) (Join to see) - You should know your state law and follow it.
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SSG(P) Photographer/Owner
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In PA those signs have no legal weight. Worst they can do is ask you to leave.
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SSG Squad Leader
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SSG(P) (Join to see) - That is something that everyone that is carrying should know for the area that they live or travel threw. Will all of the gun law changes it is hard to keep up.
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SFC Christopher Taggart
SFC Christopher Taggart
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"I carry at all times. That's why it's called concealed carry..."...I have to shake my head every time I hear military or civilians say they carry a "concealed weapon." CPW permits are for people that want to "play by the rules" (which I do), and the rest of the thugs just carry them! How many minors in Jr High and Sr High Schools carry "concealed weapons"?
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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Churches are suppose to be places of neutrality, shouldn't need security . The world has changed a lot since I was younger, and it's changed for worst, not the better.
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
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The world that you and I grew up in, is not the world we live in today, SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth. I tagged you on my response.
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SSG Medically Retired
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In some respects we seem to be reverting to the Dark Ages.
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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That we most certainly are.
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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Amen LTC Curlee, it is slowly sinking into anarchy.
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MSgt Cayle Harris
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Unfortunately, it's the world we live in.
I don't think most churches need dedicated security; volunteers from the congregation would probably suffice (as long as they have some training). Some of the mega-churches should probably have a professional team.
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SSG William Jones
SSG William Jones
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Exactly. See my earlier comment which agrees completely.
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Given that at least 75 people were violently killed in 2016 on church/faith-based property in the U.S., should churches have security teams?
MAJ Corporate Buyer
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I can tell you that security is certainly an issue for churches. But security should not be the focus for the church. I carry a weapon in church. So do others that I know. We're ready to defend the congregation should the worst happen. But the church is the place where anyone can come, at any time. I have joked with others in my church that given my military background I could "lock this place down so well that SEAL Team 6 couldn't get in". We laugh because that mental image is the opposite of what the church should be.
Persecution is part of the price we as Christians should be willing to pay. Some will pay much more than others. When the Bible talks about persecution it doesn't say "if" it will happen, it says "that" it will happen. We aren't called to close our doors to it. We're called to spread the love of Christ in a dying world. You can't do that too well from behind barbed wire. So does that contradict me carrying a gun in church? I don't think so, because I'm just a guy sitting in the congregation who's willing to help when help is needed. That's different than the church itself, as an institution, implementing security protocols. I get that some may disagree with where the line gets drawn and am willing to discuss that. I don't claim to have all the answers here.
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Alan K.
Alan K.
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All part of being a Sheepdog CPT.....Protect the flock
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MAJ Corporate Buyer
MAJ (Join to see)
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Sgt (Verify To See) - That's for sure.
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SGT Jim Barrows
SGT Jim Barrows
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We are lucky at our church we have deputy sheriff's police officers Abe even a highway patrol officer that attend our church they have been asked by Pastor to maintain security the doors lock to the outside so after service starts you must be "buzzed in" we have cameras that cover inside and outside so Lord forbid anything ever happen we are ready but our greatest defence is out Lord
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MAJ Corporate Buyer
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SGT Jim Barrows - We have a sheriff's deputy as well at our church. And then there are a few more of us who carry. I hope nothing ever happens but if it did we should be able to minimize the damage. We have a small church too which makes it easier.
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SPC Johnney Abbott
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My moms pastors wife carries concealed. Churches being a place of neutrality is a thing of the past. The new generation has crossed/ broken so many boundaries that there is no going back. So thank you to the mental defects that have something to prove by proving it at grade schools and churches.
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SSG William Jones
SSG William Jones
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FIST BUMP & HIGH FIVE, SPC Johnney Abbott
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LTC Stephen Conway
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It is too bad. Sanctuary cities, what about Sanctuary Churches or places of worship?
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SSG William Jones
SSG William Jones
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Crime and the idiots who commit them seem to know no boundaries!!!
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SPC John Parmenter
SPC John Parmenter
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"Sanctuary Churches" is another way of saying "free-fire zone."
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SSG William Jones
SSG William Jones
>1 y
Yep. Extremely soft targets!!!
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SSG Robert Webster
SSG Robert Webster
>1 y
LTC Stephen Conway Churches are supposed to be places of sanctuary and places of worship. The problem is actually the abuse of that article of faith.

Before people start knocking on churches of any kind about the use of them as sanctuaries from the law, I think people need to study and understand the historical and moral basis of this concept. Then any anger can be properly directed for the appropriate reasons.
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SPC John Parmenter
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In 2007, at a Colorado Springs church, a former State Parole Officer volunteering as armed security, engaged a man who opened fire on church property. After the church security congregant (a woman) wounded him, the shooter committed suicide. Armed security at churches or other locations where people gather (VFW meetings, etc.) is a very good idea in 21st Century America.
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SSgt Christopher Brose
SSgt Christopher Brose
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Good for her!
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PVT Raymond Lopez
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Since I am a retired career law enforcement officer with over a quarter century of service in the federal service alone I suggest you read a book entitled “MORE GUNS LESS CRIME Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws” by John R Lot. His conclusion is that shall issue laws, which allow citizens to carry concealed weapons, steadily decrease violent crime. He explains that this result makes sense because criminals are deterred by the risk of attacking an armed victim. As more citizens arm themselves, the danger to criminals increases.
He also wrote “The Bias Against Guns: Why Almost Everything You've Heard About Gun Control Is Wrong” This is another very interesting book to increase your font of knowledge.
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SSG William Jones
SSG William Jones
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Great post!!!
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SFC Ranger
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Sgt (Verify To See) - Sarge, you exaggerate for effect; Liberals do not want everyone disarmed. Even Gabby Gifford doesn't want everyone disarmed. We want sensable gun control, like keeping fierarms out of the hands of the mentally ill and convicetd felons. Reasonable rules, that Congressman Sessions voted against, might have prevented just such a shooting.
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SGT Aaron Atwood
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Well, to quote the Patriot movie: A shepherd must look after his flock, and at times, fight off the wolves. Whether or not the security is official or not should be dictated by the local society. What works in one part of the country may not be as suitable in another. The end game either way should be something effective enough to prevent violations of a church's sanctity. This should also apply to any other place of worship including those of non-Christian religions.
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LTC Stephen C.
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Edited >1 y ago
SSG William Jones, I believe that many churches already have such teams, whether official or unofficial, and whether paid (professional) or just members of the church. SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
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That's why I mentioned unofficial and members of the church, SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth. Organizations take the steps necessary within their budget for protection.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
>1 y
Exactly as I saw it, Col. The problem is we, and I'm sure you have small churches with small congregations that can not afford hired protection. And even I would have a problem with people carrying into a house of religion. Somewhat of a quandary for me.
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
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MCPO Roger Collins, a firearms instructor I know who was also an LEO for 25 years told me I would be shocked at the numbers of those armed in congregations nowadays, whether official or otherwise.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
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As I have said in the past, my son in law is in law enforcement and carries 90% of the time. I never asked him about his feelings about carrying in church.
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