[Jito463]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

I think that within the whole population of those who conceal carry there are those who, if the opportunity presented itself to fire off a few rounds at someone they thought was going to attack them, would be quite satisfied with the results.

That doesn't mean you, or anyone who posts here. But it exists, even in the church. Houston had it right. A segment of our nation's population is looking forward to a so-called coming "Civil War" they think is heading our way, because it fuels their apocalyptic fires, an OT Holy War for the NT crowd. Jihad isn't limited to Islam.

Curious. I'd be interested in finding out where your mental abilities of discerning another's intent came from. When did you become psychic, Votive? Or do you have some evidence to support this claim?

Originally Posted by votivesoul

I wasn't trying to be literal here.

You certainly sounded very literal.

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Are you suggesting that if these parts of the world didn't have gun control laws in place, that these churches would pull a USA and begin bringing guns to church, or that they'd be willing to have a shootout if they were to get raided?

And you're suggesting they wouldn't defend themselves if they could? Who's to say. Since they literally can't defend themselves, I guess we'll never know.

Originally Posted by votivesoul

The truth is, we have professionally trained police officers, who have spent hours and hours in the firing range, who likely have tended to gunshot wounds and know what a round does to human flesh, who, in the heat of the moment, can't control themselves and empty their clips into people. Not often, not even every day, but it has and will continue to happen.

So, if even these trained at the highest level protectors of our peace cannot always be guaranteed to be level headed in a bad situation, is someone who spends a few hours at a range a couple of times a week and goes hunting better equipped to have a more level-headed approach, especially if they secretly or subconsciously are hoping for some kind of righteous apocalyptic war they think is on the horizon?

Again, I hope you have some evidence to support this assertion that some people are "hoping for some kind of righteous apocalyptic war". Is there a possibility some could panic? Yes. Does that mean no one should conceal carry, just because some can't handle the situation properly? No.

Originally Posted by votivesoul

So, again, maybe that's not you (never said it was). But it's someone, in fact, a lot of someone's. There are a lot of people who carry the Christian banner as a pretense in this country who wouldn't mind being on a extermination squad as an outlet for their perceived patriotic duty.

Again, you post this malarkey without any supporting evidence. We are just expected to take it on your word that all you put forth is true. What evidence do you proffer in support for this claim?

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Salem Witch trials? Indian massacres and genocide of the indigenous? Lynchings? Much if not most of these things happened and were committed by those who claimed to have some kind of religious, Biblical warrant.

Again, that doesn't mean you, or anyone here.

Inquisition? Crusades?

Every slippery slope begins somewhere.

And the slippery slope argument is a fallacy without supporting evidence.

Originally Posted by votivesoul

A lot of straw here.

You should speak.

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Carrying a weapon as a visual deterrent doesn't mean not adequately acquainting yourself with it's use (But it would be nice if we had the name of the gladiatorial school the apostles trained at to become proficient in swordplay against Romans who did nothing but train).

So, wait. Let me get this straight. You're absolutely okay with open carry, but completely opposed to the idea of conceal carry? What mental gyrations must you go through to accommodate that viewpoint?

Originally Posted by votivesoul

When I was doing undercover asset protection, we were following someone who appeared to be shoplifting, until we saw the concealed gun he was carrying, and we walked away. Visual deterrent.

Kind of like those signs that read "This house doesn't call 911". What's that for, but to act as a visual deterrent?

Many carry unloaded, as a visual deterrent.

As Esaias already posted, it can actually be a bigger issue to open carry (even if unloaded, which makes absolutely no logical sense), since that means there's a chance you're more likely to be targeted because of the weapon.

Originally Posted by votivesoul

But here's the thing. We aren't talking simply carrying a firearm in this thread while in public.

We are talking about concealed, that is, not visual, firearms, to a church gathering.

Now, I know you have firearms, right? And I know you meet in homes for your church meetings. I assume you meet in your home on occasion?

Is your gun loaded and holstered under your pant leg during the meeting, or secured with a trigger lock in a locked case under a bed or in a cabinet somewhere, during the meeting?

There's not much point in owning a firearm for self defense, if it's locked away in a drawer somewhere. Carrying concealed means that others who may be bothered by guns are set at ease (since they don't know you're carrying), while still maintaining the ability for defense of ones self and others.

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Because what is being discussed in this thread are brothers covertly carrying loaded weapons on their very person during meetings with the intent to use them--IN A CROWDED LOCATION--should an attack occur.

So your solution is that we should open carry, and thus attract more attention to ourselves? What kind of solution is that?