National Carry AcademyIs It Legal To Carry Your Gun In Church?
September 21, 2016
It is a sad fact of life in American that we have to be prepared to defend our families wherever we go because evil has no boundaries.
For some, the very idea of carrying a gun in a church is offensive. For those of us that are concealed carriers, it is an issue worth discussion. Despite the face that most of us believe our houses of worship should be open to any and all who wish to come, the fact is that churches have often become a target of evil doers.
In recent years, mass shootings in houses of worship have become more frequent. The mass shooting in Charleston, SC in 2015
According to the Department of homeland d Security, almost 4% of active shooter situations in the U.S. take place in churches and houses of worship. Between 2005 and 2015, there were 85 church shooting incidents in The United States.
Studies have shown that mass murders often pick places to attack where the attacker believes they cannot be attacked in retaliation. These “Gun Free Zones” are usually churches, schools, and former places of employment.
Is it legal? It depends on the state you live in:
- The Majority of states consider the church to be private property, just like a business, and leave it up to the church to decide whether they wish to allow firearms. If a church does not wish to allow firearms, a sign should be posted to provide notice to licensed gun owners.
- 8 states (North Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina and DC) have laws against carrying a firearm in a church, unless a licensed concealed carrier has obtained permission from the proper church/synagogue/mosque authority.
- 1 state-Louisiana does not allow concealed carry in churches-period.
Each state has their own rules regarding when guns may be brought and you should investigate them to determine if concealed carry is permitted in churches where you live. Even if concealed carry is permitted, it is prudent to use discretion for effective concealed carry inside a place of worship. To effectively carry concealed, your weapon should be completely concealed at all times. The sight of a gun can often cause nervousness or panic to those not used to being around firearms.
If your state does allow CCW, Think about your local place of worship. Is there a security person on site? Does your church have an active shooter plan? Have they shared that plan with the congregation? While the adults are in the congregation, who is patrolling the perimeter of the church or is watching the doors?
You need to consider other situational elements beyond your gun. Assess the church layout. Where are the entrances? Those entrances are also exits in the event that you need to get your family out of harm’s way. As you know, most churchgoers will enter through the main door and will sit with their backs to that door during services. A lone attacker will likely enter through the main door and those closest to the door will likely be targeted first. Position yourself and your family some distance from that main entry door. Don’t sit near the center aisles or the rear of the church.
As in any shooting situation, you need to consider your ability to hit your target under stress. The best advice is to seek cover and hold your fire until you know beyond any reasonable doubt that you can stop the threat.
Nancy Thorne is founder and principal of Thorne Business Research. With more than 30 years experience as an information research and writing professional in small business, trade associations and large corporate environments. She has expertise in writing blog posts, articles, newsletters and reports for a diverse group of clients in a wide variety of industries. Prior to becoming an independent writer and information professional, Ms. Thorne held research and analytical positions with Bank of America and Citicorp and was a licensed teacher of English.
Is It Legal To Carry Your Gun In Church?
September 21, 2016
It is a sad fact of life in American that we have to be prepared to defend our families wherever we go because evil has no boundaries.
For some, the very idea of carrying a gun in a church is offensive. For those of us that are concealed carriers, it is an issue worth discussion. Despite the face that most of us believe our houses of worship should be open to any and all who wish to come, the fact is that churches have often become a target of evil doers.
In recent years, mass shootings in houses of worship have become more frequent. The mass shooting in Charleston, SC in 2015
According to the Department of homeland d Security, almost 4% of active shooter situations in the U.S. take place in churches and houses of worship. Between 2005 and 2015, there were 85 church shooting incidents in The United States.
Studies have shown that mass murders often pick places to attack where the attacker believes they cannot be attacked in retaliation. These “Gun Free Zones” are usually churches, schools, and former places of employment.
Is it legal? It depends on the state you live in:
- The Majority of states consider the church to be private property, just like a business, and leave it up to the church to decide whether they wish to allow firearms. If a church does not wish to allow firearms, a sign should be posted to provide notice to licensed gun owners.
- 8 states (North Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina and DC) have laws against carrying a firearm in a church, unless a licensed concealed carrier has obtained permission from the proper church/synagogue/mosque authority.
- 1 state-Louisiana does not allow concealed carry in churches-period.
Each state has their own rules regarding when guns may be brought and you should investigate them to determine if concealed carry is permitted in churches where you live. Even if concealed carry is permitted, it is prudent to use discretion for effective concealed carry inside a place of worship. To effectively carry concealed, your weapon should be completely concealed at all times. The sight of a gun can often cause nervousness or panic to those not used to being around firearms.
If your state does allow CCW, Think about your local place of worship. Is there a security person on site? Does your church have an active shooter plan? Have they shared that plan with the congregation? While the adults are in the congregation, who is patrolling the perimeter of the church or is watching the doors?
You need to consider other situational elements beyond your gun. Assess the church layout. Where are the entrances? Those entrances are also exits in the event that you need to get your family out of harm’s way. As you know, most churchgoers will enter through the main door and will sit with their backs to that door during services. A lone attacker will likely enter through the main door and those closest to the door will likely be targeted first. Position yourself and your family some distance from that main entry door. Don’t sit near the center aisles or the rear of the church.
As in any shooting situation, you need to consider your ability to hit your target under stress. The best advice is to seek cover and hold your fire until you know beyond any reasonable doubt that you can stop the threat.
Nancy Thorne is founder and principal of Thorne Business Research. With more than 30 years experience as an information research and writing professional in small business, trade associations and large corporate environments. She has expertise in writing blog posts, articles, newsletters and reports for a diverse group of clients in a wide variety of industries. Prior to becoming an independent writer and information professional, Ms. Thorne held research and analytical positions with Bank of America and Citicorp and was a licensed teacher of English.