Are guns the answer to a prayer in some U.S. churches?

[John Marston]

The June 17 church shootings in Charleston, South Carolina, have ignited fierce debates across the country over hate crimes, the Confederate flag, and gun control.

Many churches do not take security seriously enough, and at the same time not everyone supports the presence of guns in sanctuaries that are supposed to be devoted to peace and reflection.

One challenge is to put security into place without alienating visitors. Congregants have mixed reactions to the security presence in church.

So where is the answer?

[Spider]

Having a church shooting is probably less likely than a lightning strike, despite how the media whips everyone up into a frenzy. I'm pretty sure we can just take deep breaths and risk it.

That said, if it makes people less paranoid, surely someone in the congregation can volunteer to be a "pew marshal". Probably have a healthy selection of people willing to do it.

[exploited]

No.

[Libertarian602]

Man, we must be living in a great society, if pastors gotta pack heat to keep their congergation safe.

[Medius]

[Dylan]

the US is one of the most violent developed nations on the planet.

[Davethulhu]

[Indy]

FFS how many times does it have to be explained to people that even when you take out the mag, there's still one in the chamber? I mean seriously this is just ridiculous.

Plus, even if there weren't, you NEVER point the gun at anything you don't want to shoot, so how does this happen? This is gun instruction 101.

[Dylan]

[John Galt]

i'm not sure. my family is big into guns. my sister's job revolves around shooting matches and teaching kids how to shoot. my dad teaches hunter safety classes. they are fun, but taken seriously