I live in Texas and it is against the law here to carry in church, which I think is ridiculous! I carry everywhere I am allowed and I feel that church, along with my place of work, are the two most important places that I should be carrying. I mean, this is Texas! Nobody at the church would care! They would probably be ok with Open Carry!

Originally Posted by scpankow

I live in Texas and it is against the law here to carry in church, which I think is ridiculous! I carry everywhere I am allowed and I feel that church, along with my place of work, are the two most important places that I should be carrying. I mean, this is Texas! Nobody at the church would care! They would probably be ok with Open Carry!

Read the entire law. It is one of those hazy, figure it out for yourself type laws that can be found all through the Texas laws. If you continue reading the entire section, you will discover that you are only forbidden to carry in church, if the person in authority has told you not to, or if the 30.06 sign is posted..

Ridiculous, and ambiguous, true, but most folks don't let it prevent them from carrying. You be the judge.

It's illegal in Georgia, though they keep trying to change that.

Originally Posted by Bisley

Read the entire law. It is one of those hazy, figure it out for yourself type laws that can be found all through the Texas laws. If you continue reading the entire section, you will discover that you are only forbidden to carry in church, if the person in authority has told you not to, or if the 30.06 sign is posted..

Ridiculous, and ambiguous, true, but most folks don't let it prevent them from carrying. You be the judge.

Texas Law

PC §46.035.

UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER.

(a) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder carries a handgun on or about the license holder's person under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and intentionally fails to conceal the handgun.

(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the license holder's person:

(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or license issued under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic Beverage Code, if the business derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, as determined by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission under Section 104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code;

(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place, unless the license holder is a participant in the event and a handgun is used in the event;

(3) on the premises of a correctional facility;

(4) on the premises of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or on the premises of a nursing home licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, unless the license holder has written authorization of the hospital or nursing home administration, as appropriate;

(5) in an amusement park; or

(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship.

Read on down to (i) where it states they have to be posted 30.06.


(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.

No ... and if I have it with me, it stays in the car ...

I would like to but as mentioned above, it is not legal in Georgia. I am not sure if the leadership would allow it anyway but it makes me feel naked, especially with my back to the entrance of the sanctuary.

Interesting topic, I never did in all my years as a LEO. However, in Richmond CA, maybe a year ago a several people were gunned down in a church while attending a funeral. Grant it, the funeral was not for a law abiding citizen, but none the less it was in a church. So to answer the question, I do now.

For several years it was illegal to carry in church in Texas. But due to church shootings the law was changed. It is now legal to carry in church unless it is properly posted. At our church we have an average attendance of about 300 people and there are at least 6 or 7 people in attendance every Sunday that are armed that I know of. There are probably a few more that are & a few more that have a gun in their car. I am armed anytime I am away from my home.

my mother used to say"god helps those that help themselves",it's not scripture,but a proactive approach seems practical.i can't fault my mother's less than fatalistic view of life.she carried,and so do i.

I do most of the time. My wife and I at our old church had a bunch of law enforcement that attended. My friend that works for the Sheriff and is a deacon always has at least one on him when not in uniform. He told me when I was getting ready to take the class to make sure I carried in church. Of course all the stories on the news about gunmen all over the country going on sahooting sprees and stuff is what made him tell me.

I had a guy tell me it was disrespectful to God to bring it into his house. He wasn't to fond of the passage in the Bible I showed him where it says to take up arms and stuff like that.

On another note. I go to church to hear God's word preached. Sometimes for fellowship. I will not go anywhere that my gun cannot go. If that is church well I'm sorry. I will listen to sermons online or watch them on tv.

Just like I won't apend money anywhere I can't take my gun. A resturant my wife and I love started serving alcohol. Welp no more carrying. My wife decided that we should order take out and go back to the house. But I refuse. I'm not going to support any establishment that restricts me in anyway.

Originally Posted by Brevard13

I'm not going to support any establishment that restricts me in anyway.

I agree. Fortunately, there are practically no such businesses in the area I live. The only legal 'no guns' sign I have ever seen was at a gun show.

Originally Posted by Brevard13

Just like I won't apend money anywhere I can't take my gun. A resturant my wife and I love started serving alcohol. Welp no more carrying. My wife decided that we should order take out and go back to the house. But I refuse. I'm not going to support any establishment that restricts me in anyway.

Sir, I see you're located in NC. You need to get folks in your state to start writing and callin your state legislators to change the law. In Texas you can carry into restaurants that serve alcohol unless they derive more than 51% of their profit from the on premise consumption of alcoholic beverages & they must legally post it on the door(s) with a big red 51. And that means mostly bars & night clubs. Change your law to copy Texas.

I am an elder in my church and carry there. I feel a responsibility to protect the congregation from some nut. I know it is unlikely but it is possible. My pastor permits me to carry and he carrys a pistol in his briefcase at all times. He is also a police chaplin and works with the courts also. There is one other person who carrys in chruch that I know of. There are likely others. As a Christian, I am permitted to defend myself and other innocent lives if need be.

Not to turn this into a religion thread but I think how you were raised and the type of church you go to makes a big difference. My old church they still felt women should be in long dresses and men should be in a shirt and tie with dress pants. I know during the summer I wore shorts. They were long they come below my knees thought not ridiculous gangsta type. They didn't like it. When I had it on I sat in the very back. And made it a point not to try to offend some.

The place my wife and I started going. The pastor is cool. He has preached in jeans and a tee shirt. Also used Evan Almighty video for part of his service. But his thinking is that you should come period. If being comfortable requires you to be in sandals shorts and a sleeveless t shirt then get dressed and come. And I mean tastefully. No bikinis, low low cut tank tops, and no short short shorts.

I know for a fact if I told him right now I can't come unless I have my pistol on me he will ask me why I don't have it and to make sure I bring it. But you are also talking about a guy who brought everyone biscuits and a drink to eat while he was preaching. Of course there are only around 40 or so there. But it is the coolest church I have been too.

On a side note to the people who say they leave their's in their car. I know awhile back we took turns patrolling the parking lot because several churches had several cars broke into dring the services.

Double post....sorry

I'm an assistant pastor at my church and am armed every Sunday. I'm also armed at Bible studies (they are held at night). Criminals don't respect God's house and never expect anyone in church to be armed, so I'm just as at risk on Sunday morning as I am any other time.

I always carry in church. I carry the P3AT in the pocket of my slacks. Somebody would have to have their hand in my pocket to even know it's there. Thats one of the few times the little .380 is my only gun. I did carry the Glock at 3 o'clock to a family member's funeral last month, since I was wearing a suit. I did get caught with one of those hugs by my cousin, but i'm pretty sure she was looking to make sure I had it

I always carry at church, which usually runs about 400-500 on Sundays. The pastor knows I carry, along with a State Police Officer who also carries. There is one woman who I have known for the last 45 years or so that always hugs me. She has felt the HK on my hip many times. Doesn't phase her at all. Of course, I'm a retired LEO so I can carry there anyway. If I were told I could not carry there, I would find another church that was more carry friendly.

Never go to any organized religion. 3275 of them and none get it right. I CARRY EVERWHERE!!! Religion, what an absxolute croke of crap-!!!!!!!! Yup I am a Vietnam Vet....would you ever emagine?

My church convenes where I happen to be standing, sitting, etc..

It has a membership of 1, no invitations are being offered.

No tithes, no building, no utilities and no preacher.

Catholic church sez no guns allowed, and churches are recognized as "Gun Free Zones" (Criminal Empowerment Zones) in Michigan. So I don't go to church........If my sidearm isn't welcome then neither am I. I don't need a church to worship God anyway. Same goes for any business that forbids carrying of firearms. If my firearm isn't welcome then neither is my money.

Originally Posted by cwl1862

Catholic church sez no guns allowed, and churches are recognized as "Gun Free Zones" (Criminal Empowerment Zones) in Michigan. So I don't go to church........If my sidearm isn't welcome then neither am I. I don't need a church to worship God anyway. Same goes for any business that forbids carrying of firearms. If my firearm isn't welcome then neither is my money.

Is this just a local parish ban or a diocease ban by the bishop or a papal decree? It is more than likely a ban by the local parish priest.

In Texas a church like any other business must post each entrance with a sign in which the font size and wording prescibed by law in both English & Spanish in order to ban anyone with a concealed handgun license from carrying in church. I've been in all of the Cathloic churches in the city and most of the protestant (as a funeral director) & only one church has posted the proper signage and it's a Baptist church.

Don't say the Catholic church has banned guns as an excuse to try to justify to yourself your inattendance at Mass.

Not using anything as an excuse. Please note I'm in Michigan & Texas law does not apply here. I also don't go to mass as I disagree with more than the churches doccumented anti-gun position, research the churches position on firearms. http://www.uscatholic.org/news/2011/...arms-civilians According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, individuals have a right and a duty to protect their own lives when in danger, and someone who "defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow."
Yet the church would deny you the most effective means of doing just that.....seems a little hypocrital if you ask me.
As stated previously I don't need a church, building, preacher/priest or organized religion to follow and worship Christ & God.