Carrying at church

[surprise_i'm_armed]

TAM:

Were you the one who recomended that his preacher get a Taurus PT-145?

A previous church carry discussion thread was where I saw it.

If so, did he get one, or go with something else?

[The Annoyed Man]

TAM:

Were you the one who recomended that his preacher get a Taurus PT-145?

A previous church carry discussion thread was where I saw it.

If so, did he get one, or go with something else?

That must have been someone else. I've always told anyone who asked me to go try a bunch of different pistols and see what they like, and then I've offered to take them to the range and try some of ours. Me, I'm partial to 1911s, but that doesn't mean that it's a good choice for someone else. I also have revolvers in 2 different calibers, 2 different pocket semi-auto pistols, 4 1911s in 2 sizes, a G19, a couple of .22 semi-autos, and a USP Compact. I can offer them handgun caliber experiences in .22LR, .380 ACP, .38 Special, 9 mm, .40 S&W, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .45 ACP. Brands represented are Ruger, S&W, Colt, Glock, Taurus, Springfield, Kimber, and H&K.

But I always stress to newbies to try a lot of pistols before settling on the one they like best. It's a fairly significant investment, both in time, money, and personal competence/ability, so they should be certain of what they want before plunking down several hundred dollars for their first gun. And even so, what they choose to buy may not be what they choose to carry. I bought my wife a 642 Airweight for Valentine's day in 2008. It's not her favorite gun to shoot because of the recoil management. On the day after she took her CHL class, she bought herself a Glock 19, because that is what she qualified with, and she really enjoyed shooting it on the range. But, once she got her plastic and decided that purse carry was really her favored method, she realized that getting the Glock in and out of the zippered concealment pocket in her new carry purse was not as easy as it looked; so she finally settled on carrying the revolver with a backup speed loader. The 642 is just easier for her to deploy quickly, so that is her primary carry weapon - even though she would be probably better armed with the Glock.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

TAM:

By my count you and the bride have at least 14 handguns from 8 manufacturers.

You are the cat daddy.

I'm sure that people you introduce to shooting are definitely able to make a good
choice for their initial purchase.

Rock on, Garth.

[Rifleman55]

All the above is correct. You can carry at our church.

Knowing you ,you probably encourage your people to carry. I also carry at church.

[longtooth]

All the above is correct. You can carry at our church.

Knowing you ,you probably encourage your people to carry. I also carry at church.

Yeppers,
Trained a lot of'em. Was at Brit's last friday w/ another husband/wife.

[heliguy972]

A lot of churchs are developing security teams with all members required to have a TX CHL...This is a really good idea. Training is provided. Strategy and positionings are outlined....

[Reloader]

Our pastor encourages us to carry at church. She feels it also increases her attention to a good sermon, since we are watching and she, tongue in cheek, suggest if we don't like the sermon, she makes a good target! She has a sense of humor..

[quoheleth]

She feels it also increases her attention to a good sermon, since we are watching and she, tongue in cheek, suggest if we don't like the sermon, she makes a good target!

I appreciate she was trying to make a joke, but as a pastor, I'm not impressed with the punchline.

To the question, some of my lay leadership isn't all that keen on CHLs or firearms. I suspect they would frown on carrying in church a great deal. I also have a couple of folks who seem OK with it - at least, in the abstract they are OK with it. My congregational president calls me the "Pistol Packin' Preacher." It's been funny up til now; now, I need to tell him to knock it off. My personal stance is "Don't ask, don't tell - except to me" so that if the proverbial fertilizer hits the air oscellation unit, I know who I can count on for back-up or whom I need to back-up.

Good grief, I even have an HPD officer who doesn't go heeled on Sundays - or most of the time he's off duty. And, he's a 20+ year veteran. But he encouraged me to get the license and carry on Sundays. Go figure! But he wants to work up a security plan for the church building.

Anyhow, like Longtooth and UptheIrons, you can chalk me down as a pistol packin' preacher (to-be). Just in case someone REALLY is upset by the sermon or the offering plate.

Q

[tropicalsun]

I am also a pastor who carries. Besides the deacons, I would be surprised if anyone else knows. It's also encouraging that many others in the church carry as well.

tropicalsun
Rob

[Dexdahex]

I am also a pastor who carries. Besides the deacons, I would be surprised if anyone else knows. It's also encouraging that many others in the church carry as well.

tropicalsun
Rob

In this day and time you have too

I am a Deacon

[gringogigante]

I can't imagine NOT carrying in church. There are too many examples of churches in the news of wackos shooting up churches.

Our church has a "security force" that is unarmed, of course, but it makes me feel safe to know that others are carrying with me.

[E10]

God knows you're packin', and if He has any objections, He'll let you know.

[dac1842]

Heliguy mentioned several churches are forming security teams made up of CHL holders. Be careful how you proceed there and what you call them. In Texas anyone that provides security functions must have a security license, anyone that is armed must be commissoned. Read the law and make sure your organization is not in violation of it. I would hate to see folks with good intentions get bad consequences!

[longtooth]

Heliguy mentioned several churches are forming security teams made up of CHL holders. Be careful how you proceed there and what you call them. In Texas anyone that provides security functions must have a security license, anyone that is armed must be commissoned. Read the law and make sure your organization is not in violation of it. I would hate to see folks with good intentions get bad consequences!

This is very true. I get a little ribbing & have some fun from this side about Preacher Carry, & since I am the Safety Officer at our local range I have trained SEVERAL of our folks in firearms safety & personal defese; also several people in other churches.

For above reason: In Texas anyone that provides security functions must have a security license, anyone that is armed must be commissoned. Read the law and make sure your organization is not in violation of it. I would hate to see folks with good intentions get bad consequences!

At our church we have a "Safety Plan." In print & officially, there are no designated people or official places of responsibility to guard or even watch. We do have greeters at every door that really do shake every hand & greet every visitor w/ a smile & friendly welcome. They are not assigned either. Our folks just welcome people coming in.

When I go over the Safety Plan about every 6 months I remind everyone that:
"There are no security guards at Jubilee Baptist Church, there are no special hats, badges, ribbons or crosses to wear that designate anyone as security personell. There is no secret hand shake or sign flashed that designates anyone as security. If you do something in time of trouble, it will be because you are doing what men do in times of trouble."

I make sure I make that quoted statement several times through it. I have had lawyers look at it & the Chief of Police here set through one of the presentations. It has passed their close examination.

Advice following is worth exactly what you will be billed for.
Dont designate anyone as security personel, dont even use the word security.
Let men do what real men do in times of trouble.
Off the box & headed for the cave to reload.
LT

[Liberty]

Advice following is worth exactly what you will be billed for.
Dont designate anyone as security personel, dont even use the word security.
Let men do what real men do in times of trouble.
Off the box & headed for the cave to reload.
LT

A lot of wisdom can be found from this simple country preacher.

Thanks LT