During the past several months there has been an ongoing debate in the State of Louisiana relative to a new bill which would allow guns in churches.  While the initial versions were rejected, subsequent revisions have caused the bill to make it through the house and senate and to the Governor’s desk and now, under certain conditions, guns in church are legal in Louisiana.  The Louisiana Legislature, intending to give religious facilities "homegrown" security, approved a measure last week removing churches, synagogues and mosques from a list of public places where concealed weapons are forbidden. 

Church leaders are very split over this issue and it is not soon to be resolved.  What is interesting is that this particular subject was not on the “radar screen” for churches when I was ordained into the ministry in 1983.  But unfortunately, the times have changed and now this is becoming a critical issue for some churches and in several states. 

For those church leaders who are opposed to such measures, they say guns in the sanctuary are anathema to what a church is meant to be.  These would cite that it is a matter of faith that we trust God to protect us more than we trust our own ability. 

Yet others cite the change in our times and culture and the need for folks to be ready to defend themselves against assailants.  Janet Corbitt, 40, a member at Without Walls, says guns in churches is an unfortunate reality to maintain safety on sacred ground.  "It doesn't make me uncomfortable, because people are crazy," she said. "They have all types of security at banks and libraries. They shouldn't have to at church, but they do."

In 2009, Ken Pagano, the pastor of the New Bethel Church in Louisville, Kentucky received national attention when he promoted a “Bring Your Gun to Church Day”.  You can read more about that event at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/us/26guns.html .  Since then, several states have entertained new legislation relative to guns in church. 

In 2009 the State of Arkansas introduced a new bill relative to guns in church.  Little Rock Pastor John Phillips had some struggles with the bill.  Pastor Phillips, now at Central Church of Christ, has first-hand experience with guns in the sanctuary.  In 1986, while working at a different church, across town, he was gunned down in the pulpit. "A gentleman came into the church. He was mentally deranged, and at the end of the sermon, pulled out a gun and shouted something about baptism and proceeded to shoot me in the back a couple of times.  I still carry one of the bullets embedded in my spine" states pastor Phillips.  Phillips says philosophically, a sanctuary is a place of peace and should be gun free.   As for protection, despite what he's been through, he says he feels safer in a church with no guns.

ICSARM does not have an official policy relative to its stance on this issue.  It is also an issue that I have personally struggled with.  One side of me cites many verses as to why we need to be ready and prepared to defend ourselves, as did the prophets and elders in the Old Testament did.  The part where I struggle actually has nothing to do with the issue of God’s sovereignty and protection.  I do not personally agree with those who cite that God will protect us.  It is my position that he gives us a mind to use properly.  And protecting ourselves, our family, and our churches I believe is part of using common sense.  So then you ask what is my concern?  My concern is basically lack of training. 

Many years ago, whether you want to call them “the good ‘ole days” or ‘the wild, wild, west”, folks were far more prone to have and use weapons.  My fear is that some of these bills will get passed and folks will start carrying weapons and not have the proper training and create a worse scenario than originally anticipated.

So my suggestion are simple:

1. Check to make sure what the laws are in your state relative to concealed weapons in church;
2. If it is legal, then get with the church leaders and discuss the formation of a church security team;
3. Make sure the church leaders and those on the security are aware that you intend on carrying a concealed weapon to church;
4. Be sure to go through the proper training, to include doing some on-line research for church security training experts who are skilled in this field.  ICSARM maintains a list of such organizations.