Church Carry?

[Riana]

If the church has preschool classes for the little ones during the week then you cannot carry because it's then considered a school. My wife is a church secretary and since she is alone there alot one of the deacons suggested she started packin'. Well she checked into the law and found that she has to leave he gun in her car because of the preschool program in the mornings.

Someone else already clarified that preschool <> K-12, so the GFSZ does not apply. It sure sounds like your wife has been given permission to carry, though - I would think "The deacon suggested it" would constitute "good and sufficient reason."

If you're not lucky enough to have permission, though, I'd think keeping a couple of newspaper clippings in your pocket regarding some of the more recent church shootings might suffice.

[GS78]

yeah I read an article somewhere that said some churches and synagogues were stepping up their security with hired guns(the articles term not mine) sadly its come to this in the USA, but even more sad is that other countries dont have this option because they have already disarmed....

[novasig226r]

If the church has preschool classes for the little ones during the week then you cannot carry because it's then considered a school. My wife is a church secretary and since she is alone there alot one of the deacons suggested she started packin'. Well she checked into the law and found that she has to leave he gun in her car because of the preschool program in the mornings.

Just to throw a log onto the fire...

Possession of a firearm on school property (§ 18.2-308.1).

Say I'm a teacher. Say that I drive to work with a firearm. I know that I cannot bring it into the school. I lock the firearm securely in the vehicle. Am I safe? My first reaction is, yes but. If I have a CHP, I can carry the firearm concealed but I must remain in my vehicle. But taking the pistol off my person, which renders the firearm no longer concealed, make me in possession on school property in violation of 18.2-308.1 and exemption (vii) of same. I'd have to drive to work and put the gun in the glove box before getting on school grounds. The law applies to traditional brick schools or ones in a church, public or private.

Section B is what opens my eyes.... Class 6 felony.

[JamesA]

Two in my church carry. As asked by the Pastor, no one else even knows.

[alby]

You cant carry in church. It's a little vague about carrying to church functions. The definition of "good and sufficient reason" might be tough to explain if you get made in church while CC.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... d+18.2-283

� 18.2-283. Carrying dangerous weapon to place of religious worship.

If any person carry any gun, pistol, bowie knife, dagger or other dangerous weapon, without good and sufficient reason, to a place of worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held at such place he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

(Code 1950, � 18.1-241; 1960, c. 358; 1962, c. 411; 1975, cc. 14, 15.)

Also, a Class 4 Misdemeanor is a $250.00 fine.

So in a worst case scenario where the Cop and the DA was being a dick, you'd only be
out of $250 bucks. No Jail. No Nothing.


# For Class 4 misdemeanors, maximum fine of $250.
http://www.abc.state.va.us/facts/punish.html


So take your weapon to Church... Criminals can jump you at church just as easy as the ATM machine.

[Username]

I guess it would depend on the DA, and the judge, but yeah, $250 for the safety of yourself and others.

Being caught without is far worse than being caught with if the situation got... tense.

[alby]

I guess it would depend on the DA, and the judge, but yeah, $250 for the safety of yourself and others.

Being caught without is far worse than being caught with if the situation got... tense.

Plus, its not like church is a safe area from violence. How many times have you heard of some
church member who's gone off the deep end and takes out their pain on their fellow church folks?


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,579539,00.html


Standoff Over at Houston Church

Monday , December 07, 2009

The standoff at an east Houston church is over as the gunman allegedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to officials.

Police say a man barricaded himself inside the Market Street Baptist Church after he allegedly tried to shoot his wife, according to MyFoxHouston.com.

The situation involved the church secretary and her husband, who works as the church custodian.

Authorities were called to investigate a family disturbance at 9:40 a.m., with reports of a suspect with a weapon.

The Houston Police Department's information officer Keese Smith told KHOU that when authorities arrived, they found a man barricaded in the church and possibly holding someone hostage.

The gunman fired multiple shots at police when they arrived. Police returned fire, but no shots hit the suspect.

The name of the suspect has not been released.



=======


http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/sedlac ... mudge.html




November 15, 2009 10:48 PM
By SANFORD J. SCHMIDT
The Telegraph
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Sedlacek, 27, of Troy, was charged with first-degree murder after witnesses said he entered the First Baptist Church of Maryville during a service on the morning of Sunday, March 8, and fatally shot Winters through the heart as he was preaching a sermon. After the gun apparently jammed, witnesses said Sedlacek then pulled out a knife, slashing his own throat and wounding two members of the congregation who helped subdue him.
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[alby]

You know, I just thought of something when it comes to Church and Carrying your weapon.


What about Churches that are held at schools? Its illegal to bring a weapon onto a school.
And I don't think there is any provision in the law about whether or not school is in session.

So in theory, couldn't you be arrested if you CC at a church in which services are held in a school?

[gfost1]

What about Churches that are held at schools? Its illegal to bring a weapon onto a school.
And I don't think there is any provision in the law about whether or not school is in session.

You're probably right about that one, Alby.

But since the school is a gun-free zone, the parishoners are safe from gun-wielding criminals, right?

Regards,

George

[GS78]

Two in my church carry. As asked by the Pastor, no one else even knows.

..hmm, well you are one of 'them' or someone let the cat out of the bag.......

[alby]

What about Churches that are held at schools? Its illegal to bring a weapon onto a school.
And I don't think there is any provision in the law about whether or not school is in session.

You're probably right about that one, Alby.

But since the school is a gun-free zone, the parishoners are safe from gun-wielding criminals, right?

Regards,

George

Yeah, I guess all churches aren't created equal. No CCing allowed at churches inside schools.

[zephyp]

I think the issue of carrying in church when its a school part of the time is a gray area. IMO (but IANAL) if church is being conducted then its a church even if they hold school classes. I think the big exception would be if church services are being held in a regular school building. Just my $0.02.

[alby]

I think the issue of carrying in church when its a school part of the time is a gray area. IMO (but IANAL) if church is being conducted then its a church even if they hold school classes. I think the big exception would be if church services are being held in a regular school building. Just my $0.02.

I might send a letter to the my County's Commonwealth Atty. and see what he says about the issue.

[zephyp]

I think the issue of carrying in church when its a school part of the time is a gray area. IMO (but IANAL) if church is being conducted then its a church even if they hold school classes. I think the big exception would be if church services are being held in a regular school building. Just my $0.02.

I might send a letter to the my County's Commonwealth Atty. and see what he says about the issue.

You'll get a better and unbiased answer if you send one to VCDL first. Then perhaps a follow up to the local officials.