Church carry question

[SeventhSon]

OK, we all know the rules about carrying in church but this is a question that I would like some LEO insight on. A friend of mine, who is the pastor of a church, asked me a question and I would like to be able to give him a correct legal answer with sources cited. He does not have his CCW yet but is working on it. Until then, can he carry in church, seeing as he is the pastor, and it is private property?

Thanks again guys. Wanted to make sure he covered all his bases.

 

[Nolacopusmc]

He can open carry

 

[SeventhSon]

I'm sure a few people wouldnt mind, but the majority of the older folks would not like seeing the pastor with a pistol on his side.

 

[hdfinder47]

Like NOLA said, but no CCW WITH OR WITHOUT a permit. I checked with LSP CCW section on this recently. You must be private security or LEO to CCW in a church.

 

[Ben Segrest]

Like NOLA said, but no CCW WITH OR WITHOUT a permit. I checked with LSP CCW section on this recently. You must be private security or LEO to CCW in a church.

You can't be the owner? That's dumb.

 

[Nolacopusmc]

You can't be the owner? That's dumb.

That's the law.

The law also does not support you carrying concealed without a permit in your own home.

Now, would a pastor get jacked up for this? I doubt it, but heaven forbid, pun intended, that he used his weapon to defend the flock, while he would most likely be herald a hero, he could have some legal issues.

It is one of those legal issues where you technically cannot, but the penalties are highly unlikely and not too harsh.

 

[blackened1313]

sounds like a rough church

 

[JBP55]

Many churches Today have armed and unarmed security teams.

 

[JadeRaven]

Not sure what kinda church it is, but most any priest wearing the garb for mass would have a pretty tough time open carrying.

 

[Cookoff]

no one will mind if they do not know he is packing.

 

[aroundlsu]

You guys need to check out the upcoming October issue of US Concealed Carry Magazine. It will feature a story I photographed of Pastor Bryan Strickland, a Bayoushooter member and Amite pastor who carries in church. The congregation supports him.

 

[SeventhSon]

It's not a rough church, but still, you never know.

 

[Manimal]

sounds like a rough church

Carrying isnt about thinking that we'll need it, it's for when we do.


I think that I will -never- need a gun, so I only carry a pistol. If I thought I needed a gun for something I would carry my AK, or 12ga.

 

[Dave328]

Of course there is the age old mantra, "concealed means concealed".

 

[TowTruck]

no one will mind if they do not know he is packing.

couldn't have said it better. I CC at my church and very few people know about it. If something was to ever happen I will gladly face the penalty for keeping the congregation safe. after all the good book says we're suppose to keep the orphans and widows safe

 

[beauxdog]

Pastor Strickland has been practicing with us (action pistol shooter)off and on for several months. He and his son Brian try to shoot as often as time permits, which in his case is not all that often. They do enjoy it and he does carry at church. We wish him and his church the best.

Seabeevet, why not have your pastor/friend contact Pastor Strickland and they can discuss this issue. I'm sure he has some insight.


Beauxdog

 

[LouisianaCarry]

We need to push more parishes to issue the parish permit. I can carry in churches in Caddo with mine. That is one of the reasons I got it.

 

[Bearco]

We need to push more parishes to issue the parish permit. I can carry in churches in Caddo with mine. That is one of the reasons I got it.

Please feel free to challenge my SO. St Tammany does not issue parish permits.

 

[LouisianaCarry]

The statute says the parish permits "shall not be unreasonably denied." We need case law defining that. That is a more sure-fire method of getting campus carry than Wooten introducing his bill every year simply to have it shot down on the floor.

 

[charliepapa]

The owner?

You can't be the owner? That's dumb.

A pastor doesn't "own" a church. He is an employee of the church. The "church" is nothing more than a group of people. If you're referring to the building, I suppose the group of people, or the members of the church own it collectively. If you ever hear of a church that's actually owned by the pastor, it's probably not really sanctioned by God...