Unarmed Church, Thinking About CCW

[Mr. D]

Hi!

I've got a question for you all. I go to a pretty small church (8 families) and no-one carries. We meet on the pastor's property. I'm 19 (20 in a week or so) and I've been thinking about carrying while at church. Here's my question: if I only carry while on the church property and have permission from the property owner, would it be legal to carry concealed? I know that, in PA, I can open carry, but my parents don't like that idea to much. Still have some educating to do there. I'm pretty sure that I could carry concealed on my own property, so why couldn't I CCW on someone else's property if I have their knowledge and permission?

Thanks

~Dale

 

[MEH]

I don't really know about CCW away from your property...

I'm in about the same position... I'll be 20 in a few weeks; I go to a small church (20 to 30 people) in a little town in PA. And no one in church carries a gun not even my Father and Mother who normally carry during the week.

The best I can do is have a cell phone and knife in my bible case.

 

[btg3]

If you are invited to bring firearms to private property, I don't think it matters whether you are CC or OC.

Folks in my church host youth shoots a few times each year with all ages and types of guns.

It may come down to whether you are in a church or not. If it IS church, then you better heed the pertinent laws.

 

[Mr. D]

The laws are different for if you are in a church building? I'd probably be ok, though, because we meet in the back of one of the buildings at a farmer's market, so it probably wouldn't be considered a church building.

The other thing is, if I did have you use my gun and killed or wounded a guy, would the court even care how my gun was carried before the incident? The trial would be about me using my gun for self defense and the defense of others, not the legality of my carry mode - correct?

~Dale

 

[redneckrepairs]

I have no idea on PA laws , i can say that here in Colorado church carry would likely be legal for your age ( private property )

 

[230RN]

I would wonder if the Pastor's property or a portion is off the tax rolls as a church, first of all.

Say,whatever happened to the good ole days when everybody had a Sunday Go To Meetin' gun? (OK, let's not get off on the Luke 22:36 quote; this is an interesting question all on its own.)

 

[Mr. D]

Say,whatever happened to the good ole days when everybody had a Sunday Go To Meetin' gun?

The government convinced everyone that they were evil then took 'em all away!

 

[btg3]

The laws are different for if you are in a church building?

You inferred "building". You need to look closely at your state's law in this regard because "church" may (or not) be anywhere a congregation gathers. It does sound like the property is owned by the pastor rather than the church, so maybe there is no church in the state's eye, but do your homework rather than make an assumption.

Also, determine whether you need permission in writing (as required in my state) or if verbal will stand.

 

[tblt]

I carry at my church and nobody knows I do have a permit

 

[Kentucky-roughrider]

I know this is unrelanted, but I thought it was pretty cool. The law said all male citizens had to take their guns to church for a after church shooting parcitice, this was in colonial times, Virgina I think. I pack my to church, but leave it in my truck.

 

[kentucky bucky]

In our little country church CCW is fine with the preacher. In fact he has a CCW license too. I should know, he's my Father-in-Law. There have been some rally rotten things going on around the state due mainly to desperate druggies needing cash for drugs. They have no limits to their evil when it comes to getting a "fix". If they abuse and neglect their own babies because of drugs, a church congregation would mean nothing to them.

 

[Mr. D]

btg3,

Yes, you are right - the building is owned by the pastor, not the church. There actually isn't any official "church," just some families meeting together. Could anyone suggest a starting place for finding out the law on this? I have no idea.

Thanks!

 

[btg3]

Perhaps these...

http://www.pacode.com/

http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/PASL.pdf

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/

 

[NavyLCDR]

For you to carry a concealed handgun, without a permit, on property other than YOUR OWN abode or fixed place of business is a felony under PA Code, it doesn't matter if you have the property owner's permission or not.

PA code Title 18 Chapter 61:
http://members.aol.com/StatutesP7/18PA6106.html

§ 6106. Firearms not to be carried without a license.

(a) Offense defined.--Any person who carries a firearm in any vehicle or any person who carries a firearm concealed on or about his person, except in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without a valid and lawfully issued license under this chapter commits a felony of the third degree.