Should church parishioners be armed?

[SgtRock]

Church shootings are nothing new. On June 22, 1980. Alvin Lee King III a former high school teacher killed five people and wounded 10 others at the First Baptist church in Dangerfield Texas. There was the mass shooting in Charleston SC, Antioch Tennessee, and now this terrible mass shooting by a lunatic at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs Texas. Is it time for churches to allow parishioners to arm themselves.

 

[SgtRock]

Attempted to add 4 choices but it took longer than 5 minutes so i wasn't allowed to add choices. Who made this ridiculously stupid rule?

 

[pillars]

If you feel it is necessary to take a gun to church, you're either going to the wrong church, or you aren't paying attention at church.

 

[PTF]

Three years ago I would of said no.
Now ?
I wonder what happens if a church gun owner accidentally trips over a kneeler or pew ?
Sad to sat these mass murderers seems wanting to outdo each other no matter the loss of lives.
I want to say yes but...
What if a member/parishioner who has a gun in church loses it ?
As of now I stick with the "no" answer.

 

[Lursa]

Didnt you start this same thread elsewhere?

If the church allows it and if the person isnt prohibited from carrying and wants to.

So sure, why not?

 

[it's just me]

Three years ago I would of said no.
Now ?
I wonder what happens if a church gun owner accidentally trips over a kneeler or pew ?
Sad to sat these mass murderers seems wanting to outdo each other no matter the loss of lives.
I want to say yes but...
What if a member/parishioner who has a gun in church loses it ?
As of now I stick with the "no" answer.

If a gun owner trips over a kneeler he falls on his face. I've never had anybody trip over a pew.

 

[Simon W. Moon]

Church shootings are nothing new. On June 22, 1980. Alvin Lee King III a former high school teacher killed five people and wounded 10 others at the First Baptist church in Dangerfield Texas. There was the mass shooting in Charleston SC, Antioch Tennessee, and now this terrible mass shooting by a lunatic at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs Texas. Is it time for churches to allow parishioners to arm themselves.

Should we make our decision based on the data available and the relative risks?

 

[Cardinal]

I'm not a religious person, but through culture and film I came to think of the concept of church as a communal place and sanctuary. Arming everybody to the gills against the next firearm-caused massacre doesn't really fit into that picture, but hey, it's your club, arm yourselves to the gills if that makes you happy.

 

[Absentglare]

Church shootings are nothing new. On June 22, 1980. Alvin Lee King III a former high school teacher killed five people and wounded 10 others at the First Baptist church in Dangerfield Texas. There was the mass shooting in Charleston SC, Antioch Tennessee, and now this terrible mass shooting by a lunatic at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs Texas. Is it time for churches to allow parishioners to arm themselves.

As if there weren't already enough reasons to avoid church...

Some Jewish congregations have felt the need to pay for security in response to the wave of anti-semitism, for example what we saw in Charlottesville. Is there some compelling reason that Christians can't obtain professional security, that they need to rely on a group of people that includes those who have demonstrated that can't be trusted with even their car and cell phone?

 

[Masterhawk]

Honestly, it should be up to themselves but for churches in violent areas, it might be a good idea

 

[Goshin]

Church shootings are nothing new. On June 22, 1980. Alvin Lee King III a former high school teacher killed five people and wounded 10 others at the First Baptist church in Dangerfield Texas. There was the mass shooting in Charleston SC, Antioch Tennessee, and now this terrible mass shooting by a lunatic at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs Texas. Is it time for churches to allow parishioners to arm themselves.

Many do, in my area anyway.


It is wise for the prudent citizen to arm himself wherever he is able, as one never knows when or where trouble will come.

 

[earthworm]

Attempted to add 4 choices but it took longer than 5 minutes so i wasn't allowed to add choices. Who made this ridiculously stupid rule?

It is NOT the rule that is stupid.
Your very premise and the OP are as well.

 

[earthworm]

If a gun owner trips over a kneeler he falls on his face. I've never had anybody trip over a pew.

Tripping .. one in a million chance
Accidental discharge caused by this .. one in a trillion ..
Guns have NO business, IMO, being anywhere but an armory ..

 

[Goshin]

Attempted to add 4 choices but it took longer than 5 minutes so i wasn't allowed to add choices. Who made this ridiculously stupid rule?

I can add the poll for you. PM me and tell me what you wanted it to say.

 

[Goshin]

If you feel it is necessary to take a gun to church, you're either going to the wrong church, or you aren't paying attention at church.

"He who has no sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one" Gospel according to Luke, regarding the disciples walk through the world after Christ's crucifixion when they would no longer have His physical person with them. Since the gospel was not intended to be spread by the sword, clearly this was for self-defense.

 

[Goshin]

I can add the poll for you. PM me and tell me what you wanted it to say.

Well he's wandered off some where.

 

[it's just me]

Tripping .. one in a million chance
Accidental discharge caused by this .. one in a trillion ..
Guns have NO business, IMO, being anywhere but an armory ..

Well, that is your opinion.