TxSheepdog wrote:someone walks down the aisle past you with a pistol at their side, intently focused on the altar/stage area. You're sitting with your wife and kids. Full house, if the armed person turns around, its a target rich environment.
What do you do?
I sit on the aisle seat about 1/3 from the back of the church with my wife and kids to my right. It's an amphitheater shaped church with pews arranged in a half circle around the altar area.
I'm curious what your thoughts on this type of situation are.
Is the church posted 30.06? If so, then you know he's breaking the law, so the answer is easy:
Hope that it's communion, and throw grape juice on his clothes. That stain will never go away! That will teach him to carry passed a 30.06, and it will be your only option anyway, since we all follow the law.
barstoolguru wrote:By law is the 30.06 sigh required to make it illegal to carry in a church. The only way you could carry is by written permission
PC §46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER. (b) (6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship.
(i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not apply if the actor was not given effective notice under Section 30.06.
If no 30.06 sign it is ok to carry
thank you that made it very clear
Some parents say it is toy guns that make boys warlike. But give a boy a rubber duck and he will seize its neck like the butt of a pistol and shout "Bang!"......George Will
In a small church you might be able to safely shoot and eliminate the threat. I have spent a significant amount of time looking at numerous sight lines in our auditorium. Given the configuration and size of congregation, I could not find a single sight line once someone had entered the auditorium that would allow anything that resembles a "clean line of fire".
Ideally you recognize the telltale signs or he tips his hand prior to entering the auditorium where a shot would be more practical. I have also considered various types of non-lethal or less-lethal ammo in a second carry weapon but I need to do more research.
Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid.
John Wayne
NRA Lifetime member
I have yet to see a church with a 30.06 sign....I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm asking a real question...who has seen one?
And seriously....after what I lived through in Colorado Springs, I'd go to another church. If I can't carry in church, I'm not going to that church, that's why I wouldn't attend in a school. Just an agreement I have with G-d.
~Tracy
Gun control is what you talk about when you don't want to talk about the truth ~ Colion Noir
SewTexas wrote:I have yet to see a church with a 30.06 sign....I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm asking a real question...who has seen one?
And seriously....after what I lived through in Colorado Springs, I'd go to another church. If I can't carry in church, I'm not going to that church, that's why I wouldn't attend in a school. Just an agreement I have with G-d.
There was another thread around here and one or two folks noted that they have seen either a Baptist or Methodist church with a proper 30.06, but not one Catholic Church yet.
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargent Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016. NRA Patriot-Endowment Lifetime Member---------------------------------------------Si vis pacem, para bellum.................................................Patriot Guard Rider
SewTexas wrote:I have yet to see a church with a 30.06 sign....I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm asking a real question...who has seen one?
And seriously....after what I lived through in Colorado Springs, I'd go to another church. If I can't carry in church, I'm not going to that church, that's why I wouldn't attend in a school. Just an agreement I have with G-d.
There was another thread around here and one or two folks noted that they have seen either a Baptist or Methodist church with a proper 30.06, but not one Catholic Church yet.
Is that because some Catholic churches can post a RED 51% sign?
Given the situation, I HOPE I would try to tackle the guy from behind. I am not sure if I would try to secure the weapon while doing so or just focus on incapacitating the guy. I have given a great deal of thought to the subject with latest happenings.
Plus, my maternal side of the family has their reunion at the First Baptist Church in Dangerfield, TX. I would like to think I would be half as brave as Mr McDaniel and Mr Truitt.
To all the others who pose other scenarios into this scenario, really?
I will simply state this;
- if you find a weapon on the trunk of a car DO NOT pick it up! Alert the authorities and baby sit it without touching it until they arrive if at all possible.
- if that is not possible, try not to add or take away from any prints on the gun and what ever you do DO NOT walk into the church gripping it in your strong hand making a bee line to the pulpit. Not only will this cause a panic it will likely cause you great harm. if not death.
Armed with that knowledge I will assume that if the scenario posted took place that there were bad intentions.
Because of the vague possible third party situation and the danger of pass trough shots I would hope to try to physically incapacitate the guy.
Well at our church on stage is the captain of state police. He is armed by law at all times. There are several LEOs in every service including another lt. captain of state police. So if he is open carrying Steve (or one of the other LEO's) is likely going to escort him out as OC is not legal in a church. Now if he has a gun in his hand....I would imagine they will see him before I do. However if they did not my response would be different if I am holding the hand of my 7 and 5 year olds and carry my 7 month old in a sling vs if I am unencumbered. Of course there are bunches of CHLers in the crowd too several of them in the praise band (on stage). So by the time I have seen this joker walk past me 10 other CHLers and LEOs have before me, so he is likely on the floor crying as he is being removed from the situation. I am not counting on them to see him....this is why I carry, but the odds are they will see him before I do as they have a vantage point of the stage.
SAHM to four precious children. Wife to a loving husband.
"The women of this country learned long ago those without swords can still die upon them!" Eowyn in LOTR Two Towers
I agree with you on not handling a found weapon (or handling with GREAT CARE if it's absolutely necessary).
This whole discussion had my head on more swivel than usual yesterday. I hope I didn't stand out as suspicious. But then again, I've been at this church 17 years, so probably not.
Thanks tornado!
I didn't quite understand the interjection of possibilities. It is a hypothetical question. It is based on the information given. Yes, there are other thing that could come into play in real life. Those things are considered constantly.
A man walking down the isle of a church with a gun in hand is not good regardless of the scenario!
If he did "find the gun outside" & picked it up and carried it "in hand" to the front of the church to turn it in he deserves to be tackled! Maybe twice!
Also, if it was one of he deacons I don't thinker the OP would not have said "a guy".
Hopefully the folks at your church now you buy now! ;)
SewTexas wrote:I have yet to see a church with a 30.06 sign....I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm asking a real question...who has seen one?
And seriously....after what I lived through in Colorado Springs, I'd go to another church. If I can't carry in church, I'm not going to that church, that's why I wouldn't attend in a school. Just an agreement I have with G-d.
There was another thread around here and one or two folks noted that they have seen either a Baptist or Methodist church with a proper 30.06, but not one Catholic Church yet.
Is that because some Catholic churches can post a RED 51% sign?
No.
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargent Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016. NRA Patriot-Endowment Lifetime Member---------------------------------------------Si vis pacem, para bellum.................................................Patriot Guard Rider
You know what they say about Baptists don't you; every time 4 get together there is always a fifth
Some parents say it is toy guns that make boys warlike. But give a boy a rubber duck and he will seize its neck like the butt of a pistol and shout "Bang!"......George Will
