Open carrying in church?

**MEH** · August 30th, 2009, 11:53 AM

While I have not done this yet, my brother has, and he got some complaints from other members... I was just wondering if there is any law in PA that says you can't carry a gun in church?

Also, if you are on private property, and you are asked to leave because of the gun... You have to leave (trespassing), correct? But how does that work in a church? It isn't owned but an individual, so who has the authority to tell you to leave?

**ungawa** · August 30th, 2009, 12:01 PM

Yes it's legal. Yes you have to leave if asked, but I am not sure by whom.

Church is kinda funny. It's not family, it's not strangers, it's more like extended family. I'll tell family, "I suggest you get used to it." Church, if people complain, I'll cover. Because I'm not just pissing off the people I don't really know, but the people I do know feel guilty/embarrassed by association. There’s all kinds of things wrapped up in that situation. Just me.

**1861** · August 30th, 2009, 12:10 PM

I always carry in church but that is really the one place I don't OC . In church I don't feel I should be the center of attention . I would do nothing to distract from the service . This is just my feelings and I wouldn't try to project them on anyone else .

**reverserboy** · August 30th, 2009, 12:31 PM

It's up to the pastor or if part of a larger organization there may be a policy or directive from higher up the chain of command. Churchs are not off limits like say a prison is.

With the number of church shootings,it would be a good place to be armed.

**ReconLdr** · August 30th, 2009, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by MEH

While I have not done this yet, my brother has, and he got some complaints from other members... I was just wondering if there is any law in PA that says you can't carry a gun in church?

Also, if you are on private property, and you are asked to leave because of the gun... You have to leave (trespassing), correct? But how does that work in a church? It isn't owned but an individual, so who has the authority to tell you to leave?

AFAIK there is nothing to prevent you from carrying in church except what the members and church leaders have to say. I have never OC'd in church but CC is a different story.

I don't know if I would OC in church for a number of reasons. Too many to list and describe here.

**headcase** · August 30th, 2009, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by MEH

While I have not done this yet, my brother has, and he got some complaints from other members... I was just wondering if there is any law in PA that says you can't carry a gun in church?

Also, if you are on private property, and you are asked to leave because of the gun... You have to leave (trespassing), correct? But how does that work in a church? It isn't owned but an individual, so who has the authority to tell you to leave?

Instead of pontificating, I'll just answer your questions.

1.) No, there is no bar on carrying in chuch, open or concealed.

2.)Yes, if you are on private property and you are asked, told, whatever, to leave, you must do so.

3.) IMO, the priest, pastor, deacon, rabbi, or whomever was obviously "in charge", would be an automatic. If it is just someone who you don't know, I would ask who they are and what authority they have to determine who stays or goes.

Hope that helps.

**Nic** · August 30th, 2009, 01:02 PM

I CC to church on Sundays, and my wife is fine with that. I'm not sure if it would be distracting to other members, but my in-laws would not react lightly if I was asked to leave because I OC'd.

**PennsyPlinker** · August 30th, 2009, 01:14 PM

I CC for regular services for much the same reason 1861 gave. I don't need to be distracting people with a gun out. Most of the regulars know I carry, and that I have one on me at the time, but we get new people in on a regular basis. I do OC for a number of church events that are not regular services.

As to who can tell you to leave, it depends on your denomination and how the church is organized. It may be the pastor, the priest, someone on the elder board, or some other official in the hierarchy. A committee may have to meet to decide to tell you not to OC or CC. Church is one of those few places where if I was told not to OC for whatever reason, I would quietly obey. If I was told I could not CC, I would find a different church.

**rwilson452** · August 30th, 2009, 01:21 PM

Church is the one place I don't OC. I'm sure there are those there that know I CC. Nothing has been said, yet. It just seems the polite thing to do.

**mjfletcher** · August 30th, 2009, 01:32 PM

As far as who can ask you to leave in a church its probably safe to say the paster, minister, deacon, other "official" person has the authority to do so.