Should places of worship be armed?

[Self Defense Fund]

There has been an increase in attacks on religious institutions and leaders, including mass shootings and hate crimes. Whether an organization is urban or rural, large or small, seems to have no bearing on its vulnerability to an attack. What is your opinion?

 

[Saltwater60]

Yes. 100% they should be armed. The church I go to has security team, cameras, and armed people at almost every event. When I’m there I have my sig and 4 spare mags. I e been on the sprite team for about 10 years now. There’s probably 20-30 armed men and women there on Sunday morning.
My church is the kind they would want to attack as well. We are visible, a large congregation, and Bible believing. Yes we think gay and trans are against Gods word and wishes. We don’t play games. If you are that you’re welcome to come but can’t serve or be active. That lifestyle is spoken out against from the pulpit.

 

[Robin]

like most everything else in a free country, its' none of the governments business.
Robin

 

[Bustedknees]

I must have missed your introduction here. Do you write for a media source?

 

[Phazer]

I must have missed your introduction here. Do you write for a media source?

Just in case he does, he unequivocal answer is, "Yes. End of debate." (American history and tradition supports this.)

 

[pshift]

Go to this guy for the answer. Most of his resources and training materials are free...

Christian Warrior Training | Keith Graves | Substack

Join Christian Warrior Training for practical insights and training resources on church security. Our articles and videos empower church security teams to better protect their congregations and communities. Click to read Christian Warrior Training, by Keith Graves, a Substack publication with...

www.christianwarriortraining.com

 

[dwa12479]

Its a free society. Let the people decide for themselves.

 

[Saltwater60]

Its a free society. Let the people decide for themselves.

We almost couldn’t with the CCIA. NYS banned carrying at church for a bit or tried to.

 

[Podmonkey]

Given the recent incidents lately I'd say absolutely yes. And given that one incident "the Boomer with the Big Iron on his hip, the guy that was an firearms instructor and dommed that shotgun welding lunatic with a P229 in 357 Sig.
I'd say armed parishioners are quite effective as well.

 

[CNYJohn]

Yes
All places where you have a crowd that could be exploited should have security, and a church is no different
My pastor is a former C.O. and a permit holder, and I believe he at the very least is packing.
When I attend church, I am equipped with instruments to put a hurt on someone unruly as I do not hold a ny permit, I don't believe ny has a right to insist that I have a permit

 

[Parzival]

SC bans carrying in church without written permission from the chruch.

 

[Podmonkey]

SC bans carrying in church without written permission from the chruch.

That's easy enough, obtain permission. If not forthcoming find a different church

 

[Parzival]

That's easy enough, obtain permission. If not forthcoming find a different church

Most won’t grant it unless you are law enforcement.

When SC went “constitutional carry” (it’s a joke)…they left all their places you can’t carry in place. The list is long and most of it unconstitutional.

 

[Saltwater60]

SC bans carrying in church without written permission from the chruch.

My pastor wrote me a letter for me to get my upgrade to CCW so I could carry at church.

 

[Parzival]

My pastor wrote me a letter for me to get my upgrade to CCW so I could carry at church.

There is no longer an enhanced cwp in SC. They took it away and it’s no longer recognized since the carry laws changed in 2024.

 

[livingston]

Do you believe someone when they say they will come to kill you .... Mull that over in your mind and how do you react ?

 

[Saltwater60]

Do you believe someone when they say they will come to kill you .... Mull that over in your mind and how do you react ?

Wow they are telling the truth finally.

 

[CNYJohn]

Bring it assholes

 

[SonOfSun]

They are private entities. They should each individually pick what they want going on on their private property, within the confines of the constitution. Same as any other private property.

 

[Varmint]

Mine is…

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Yes absolutely should.

The sheep need sheepdogs.

 

[spat]

There has been an increase in attacks on religious institutions and leaders, including mass shootings and hate crimes. Whether an organization is urban or rural, large or small, seems to have no bearing on its vulnerability to an attack. What is your opinion?

Any place people might have to defend themselves they should be armed.

That seems pretty obvious.

Since churches seem to be a popular target lately they have more reason to be armed than most.

 

[spat]

They are private entities. They should each individually pick what they want going on on their private property, within the confines of the constitution. Same as any other private property.

Private entity just means it's their choice.

But prudence dictates that they *should* be armed. If they choose not to, that would be ill advised.

 

[FP1201]

Concealed means concealed...
Small Catholic Church we attend had several Parishioners that are or were active Law Enforcement and I would be shocked if they weren't carrying...
There are three other Churches in the Village, and we have lots of Persons active and retired in LE, as well as quite a few AD Military (which are exempt from the CCW prohibitions in the CCIA) 'course we're a small Village, and not exactly a high value target, not one of opportunity...fuck around here and you will find out.

Back to the OP's questioning: If a Religious Organization whats to have armed physical security for themselves, then it should be so within the limitations set forth for any other entity in the State with armed guards.

 

[That_FNG]

“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe.” - Luke 11.21

 

[Parzival]

“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe.” - Luke 11.21

This is a parable and has nothing to do with self defense.

 

[Pale Rider]

This is a parable and has nothing to do with self defense.

This doesn't fit the description of a parable, and even if it was, it still seems applicable.,