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Hm. Well, I live in Miami, FL, so that's not all that bad an idea. Yes, my church has five campuses and collectively, there is a security force of about 200 volunteers and one employed security specialist that runs the program. Some of the volunteers are off-duty police officers, so they are armed. Technically, I am a retired police officer, so I too can be armed, but am not. The lead pastor has a personal security team as well. We have designated posts, to include designated seating where we can watch the crowd and identify anything that looks suspicious. We wear distinctive shirts, so everyone knows who is part of the security team. We also have some folks who do not wear the shirts and are more covert. We have communications, so we can alert the armed volunteers or the on-duty police officers who are stationed in the front entrance.
Since 1999, there have been 18 fatal church shootings. The deadliest was the 2017 shooting at First Baptist Sutherland Springs in Texas, with 26 deaths including an unborn child.
We also have a small emergency center, in the event that something happens that requires immediate medical attention.
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe." (Luke 11:21 (NIV)).
God is funny like that:
One of the many regrets I have had to deal with is that, in focusing on my career, I really did not take the time to appreciate the gift of family. Just like that, I find myself unemployed and, just like that, God gives me a mulligan on the important one. This morning, our youngest son, daughter-in-law, and two grand-kids finished their journey from NV to FL and have moved back home for the foreseeable future. All spare bedrooms are full, the house is a mess, and the kitchen is full of people making breakfast and enjoying the moment.
Thank you, Lord!
rtm3039
Enjoy that fellowship for as long as you can, because one day make a big difference in who is there with you my brother.
Wow. Thats scary. Cant your state or nation just ban guns?
NO. It is called the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution.
Love.
Do you ever watch the news???
Nov. 5, 2017:
21-year-old Devin Kelley opened fire at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, killing 26 people and wounding about 20 others.
Sept 24, 2017:
Emanuel Kidega Samson, 25, killeded a woman and wounding six other people with gunshots at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee.
April 24, 2016:
Mark Storms fatally shot 27-year-old Robert Braxton III during Sunday services in a suburban Philadelphia church.
Aug. 9, 2016:
A shooting during a party at a Jersey City, New Jersey, church left 17-year-old Leander Williams dead and two teenage girls wounded.
Feb. 28, 2016:
Rev. William B. Schooler, 70, was fatally shot & killed inside an office at St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio,
June 17, 2015:
Nine worshippers including a pastor were killed by Dylann Roof, The shooting happened at historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Actually, I did and I get it. This is why there are close to 250 volunteer security personnel. There is strength in numbers.
No, in these here United States, gun ownership is protected by the Second Amendment to our Constitution. Despite many legal cases, the Courts have always sided with gun owners, based on the second amendment. The government has, on a small number of cases, place temporary bands on certain weapons. For a while, you could not by an AR15 sty;e weapon. They band some types of ammunition and, just a couple of weeks ago, they banned "bump stocks"
Last;y, to answer y our question. If everyone carried to church, "what's to stop them from shooting each other?" Well, how about this. If everyone had a car, what's to stop them from running over each other? I guess you find more emotionally stable people at church..
rtm3039
No I dont watch the news sorry, I live in a different country and cant watch every single countries news.
My countries has banned semi automatics after some crazy aussie started shooting muslims at a christichurch mosque. 50 people died. We not going to change it and then start saying it ok to bring guns to a mosque.
Our police have batons, and tasers not guns.
The difference between guns and cars is guns are actually a weapon. Whereas cars are not designed as weapons. I think people forget that. Obviously some people think guns are toys.
Sorry you cant really answer my question. I thought you might say well God protects us, but I guess theres not that much faith in Him if you still need guns i.e carnal weapons.
My countries has banned semi automatics after some crazy aussie started shooting muslims at a christichurch mosque. 50 people died. We not going to change it and then start saying it ok to bring guns to a mosque.
Our police have batons, and tasers not guns.
The difference between guns and cars is guns are actually a weapon. Whereas cars are not designed as weapons. I think people forget that. Obviously some people think guns are toys.
Sorry you cant really answer my question. I thought you might say well God protects us, but I guess theres not that much faith in Him if you still need guns i.e carnal weapons.
The american constitution is a bit weird. I guess they havent moved on from the wild west days. People arent animals, to be hunted and killed but some people treat others like that, actually worse than hunters cos they just leave the dead bodies lying around. At least the hunters kill for a purpose ie. to eat the kill.
Well, to be honest with you, the language for the 2nd amendment was around way before the wild wild west. "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." As far as I am concerned, no "well regulated Militia" would be able to take on the US Military. Not to mention that, in the spirit of a Militia, we do have the National Guard.
I, for one, have no issues with the 2nd A. I have several weapons, both hand weapons an long rifles.
The theory is that, if people have weapons, the government will think twice about overextending their authority. Now, while I have enough weapons and am mo to hold my ground for a couple of days, I have nothing that will deal with an M1A1 Abrams Tank, so I'm not winning that one.
rtm3039
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