How many of you carry your off-duty to church?  Why do you or don't you carry to church?

Howdy Folks,

Erle is right.  Churches are becoming targets for extremist idots.  Several churches have had shootings and gay rights protestors have interrupted church services since California Pop 8 was approved.   Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, USA, ret., one of this nations most respected law enforcement & military trainers has stated that you should carry in church.  

Dan

DavisE says ...

A church can be a very good target for any extremist.  I could not live with myself if anything were to happen, and I didn't have my weapon to protect my family and others.

My pastor does and he asked me to.

There was a story from a LEO (I think it was somewhere in TX), where the officer was off duty, at church with his family. He never carried his off duty gun at Church. Well on that day, a psych patient escaped from custody, went to that church and started a rampage, shooting a number of church goers. That officer had to live with himself, as his son lay dying in his arms. I think Lt Grossman pointed out this story, but its a chilling reminder that while Church grounds are sacred to us, it may not be to someone else. Do what you feel is necessary, but could you be that LEO who gave up his son.

FireDad6 says ...

It is against the law to carry a firearm into a church in the State of Utah... Utah code  76-10-530.

http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE76/htm/76_10_053000.htm

     76-10-530.   Trespass with a firearm in a house of worship or private residence -- Notice -- Penalty.

     (1) A person, including a person licensed to carry a concealed firearm pursuant to Title 53, Chapter 5, Part 7, Concealed Weapon Act, after notice has been given as provided in Subsection (2) that firearms are prohibited, may not knowingly and intentionally:

         

(5) Nothing in this section permits an owner who has granted the lawful right of possession to a renter or lessee to restrict the renter or lessee from lawfully possessing a firearm in the residence.

   

I have read this Code that you posted and I do not understand were it is against the law to posses a firearm in a church in the State of Utah.  I may be reading this code wrong but I see it as a person has the right to carry in a church unless a church representative has stated or posted otherwise.  in subsection (1) it states that after notice has been given, so if no notice is given is it still against the law.  I am from Florida so you must excuse me if I am wrong.  Please dont take this the wrong way if I am  mistaken please correct me......

I'm not an officer yet, but when I do get the job, and if allowed, I will definitly carry at church.

Here is a link to look at...   http://publicsafety.utah.gov/bci/CFchurch.html

I would carry in a church also due to the state of the nation.  Also the Federal Law Enforcement Protection act over rides State law to not carry in a church.

And in that case....they'll probably thank you for carrying in the end.

when i become a cop i thint i will

some times i have to look at it that the places that say no guns are the best targets for the crimnals. so i look at as i'd rather be juged by 12 than carried by 6.

Normally, Police Officers are authorized to carry their firearms under statutes specifically written for Police Officers. My question is whether or not the Utah statute cited addresses police officers or only those private citizens authorized to carry concealed weapons. In Oklahoma, the Self Defense Act DOES NOT apply to officers, only private citizens. I would be interested to know if there are other Utah statutes related to police officers carrying. The statute does not mention officers, and if officers do not derive their authority to carry a firearm off-duty from the cited statute, and fall under a different statute, then that statute should NOT restrict an officer from carrying, only a private citizen who has a concealed weapons permit.

I ALWAYS carry my firearm.

DavisE says ...

A church can be a very good target for any extremist.  I could not live with myself if anything were to happen, and I didn't have my weapon to protect my family and others.

                 AMEN TO THAT BROTHER!!!!

I think it's illegal in VA, but many pastors (At least around here) have no issue with it, they welcome both Officers and civillians to carry.

 This is a bill President Bush signed (sounds like some are not aware of it) only place you are restricted by law is FEDERAL BUILDINGS

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) is a United States federal law, enacted in 2004, that allows two classes of persons -- the "qualified law enforcement officer" and the "qualified retired law enforcement officer" -- to carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of any state or local law to the contrary, with certain exceptions.

The LEOSA was considered during the 108th Congress as H.R. 218. It was signed into law by President George W. Bush on July 22, 2004 as Public Law 108-277. It is codified as 18 U.S. Code 926B (qualified law enforcement officers) and 926C (qualified retired law enforcement officers).