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But Eggert said the Dayton shooting is an example of how guns inside churches would do little to prevent a similar crime.

"It's the person who shoots first," she said. "If someone had a gun inside that church it would not have prevented that."

Neither did God.

I think Eggert needs to hang up her cloth.

If preventing evil were possible, maybe we wouldn't have sinned. Maybe humanity would have created heaven-on-earth by now.

That's not theologically possible, yet some "clergy" seem to think the best response to evil is to do nothing.

Really? Is that what God put you on earth to do? Nothing?

The walk of the faithful is not one of apathy. Evil exists to test the righteous in their faith, but not all pass. Some chose to abdicate their power and responsibility to do good.

If Eggert believes that God is in the Church (as in the people, not the building), then she needs to come up with some better theology than burying her talent in the ground at the first hint of danger. God didn't prevent this shooting from happening either. So, either 1) God does not exist (pack up, go home); 2) There is some greater purpose, which calls upon humanity to act.

As an aside, neither the police, the military, nor society as a whole could prevent this shooting from happening either, so, by the same shoddy theology, they should be disarmed too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LDD,

Ask these people (who don't think it's 'living by faith' to have armed security) if they lock their doors. If not, then they "aren't trusting God to protect them."

I am a firm believer in faith, but God gave us a brain for a purpose. We are supposed to use it.

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Originally posted by jdmb03:

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Originally posted by cparktd:

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Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
Why did this guy have to run to retrieve his gun? Are firearms not permitted in a place of worship in Tennessee?

No law against it unless the church is posted. It's the church's call.

We are the opposite in MI. Law says we can't carry unless the church approves it.

Same here last I checked. Can't carry in the church unless you have express permission by a church official or governing body. In my previous church, that consisted of a printed email to and from the pastor stating it was OK to carry. My current church does have a security team AND uniformed officers. The way I see it, God gave me the privilege of having my wife and kids, and he also gave me the responsibility of keeping them safe. Given He is the ultimate authority in the church, I now take his permission as an end all be all as far as carrying at church...just my .02.

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Originally posted by SIGWALLY:
I would say about 10% or so of the people at our Sunday service carry. Including our Preacher, myself,and even several elderly woman. I seem to have become the go to "Gun-guy" of our Church. And I am always happy to help out with minor gunsmithing chores and cleanings. I am very happy to do it.

Our church runs about 300 on most Sunday mornings. I wouldn't be surprised if 10% were carrying! I know the pastor and his wife, associate pastor, worship leader, piano player, myself (bass guitar), several retired and current LEO, one active FBI counter-terrorism agent, and quite a few "regular joes" that carry... and that's just the ones I know about!

We have what others have mentioned, an "undercover" security team that basically the church general membership is not even aware is in place; only team members such as myself know who we are. We know the drill and what to do if we had an active shooter scenario. We keep the children's church building locked down while occupied, and do perimeter sweeps on a regular basis, including the main parking lot. We have a few small children in foster care that are being protected from violent fathers/parents, and their identities and whereabouts are kept secret at all costs. Any strangers come roaming around, especially in the children's areas, and they are immediately stopped and questioned before being allowed to proceed! Most of the time it's just somebody who is okay to be there but we haven't met before, but not always...