Unexpected Flight, What to do with Carry?

[hobbeeman]

I recently had to fly home unexpectedly from a church youth trip where I was a chaperone. (I was called home for an emergency at my business) I confided in one of other parents who was on the trip, lamenting that I was not prepared to carry my guns home on the plane, as I had not brought the proper gun boxes to pack them in my luggage. The other parent reluctantly agreed to transport my carry weapon/s back home. He was frightened to carry a weapon in his car! He actually wanted my CHL to "prove" that the weapons were not his, and I actually gave it to him, feeling like I was over a barrel, and had no other choice

When my guns made it home, from what my wife told me, all of the adults who were on the trip were concerned that she get my "package", especially the youth ministers.

I have been thinking about this situation for awhile now and as more time passes, the more frustrated I get

It seems that the person I confided in was not worthy of this confidence...even though he was in the Air Force, and I figured somewhat accustomed to the principles of protection and confidentiality.

Several people at church are treating me differently, now. Some are even having conversations with my wife about "all the guns your husband has", I have even been asked by the pulpit minister "just how many guns do you have?"

This flame is being fanned by my in-laws, who attend the same congregation, probably from the insecurities that they themselves have but are unwilling to do anything about :banghead:

My son was pulled aside on a youth trip last week by the youth minister, and told not to bring a pocket knife to any more youth activities...my son had the knife in his pocket or IWB, but my nephew, the son of my brother-in-law, shouted out, "He has a knife!" My son has carried a knife every day since he earned the right to do so in Cub Scouts, and is very responsible and aware of where he is prohibited from doing so.

I have now noticed how the word annoyed and paranoid, sound the same :banghead:

I have learned several lessons from this chain of events, but I don't think that it is over. I wanted to put this out for thought and comments.
Thank you in advance for your civil and thought-provoking feedback,
David

 

[BBQJOE]

Sadly it appears you have been "Branded" an a gun nut, and your whole congregation now believes so.
I guess you are forced to live with it, or make an announcement that you have seen the light and changed your evil ways.

Sorry to hear about it all.

 

[hso]

You could have just FedExed them home to yourself or gone to Wally World and bought a hard case for them for the flight and avoided the whole mess (assuming you had time before the flight).

Whenever you confide in anyone that you do not have a long history with you should be explicit in discussing privacy with them.

As to the church reaction, you should meet with the minister of the church and explain the sinful behavior of his staff and of members of the congregation. Explain how gossip about you and your family is hurting all of you and you'd appreciate it if he'd put a stop to it and to address it in sermon.

 

[Dave_in_GA]

Even though you have the CCL and apparently have covered all the bases, there remains one question...

Why did you put yourself in this position by taking along your weapon on a Church Youth Outing. And judging by your having to take a plane back home, it must have been across state lines.

 

[BADUNAME13]

Even though you have the CCL and apparently have covered all the bases, there remains one question...

Why did you put yourself in this position by taking along your weapon on a Church Youth Outing. And judging by your having to take a plane back home, it must have been across state lines.

For the same reason he HAS a FFL!

+1 on buying a case at Chinamart...

 

[SomeKid]

Dave, he did the right thing by being armed. There were kids who he was in charge of and he was prepared to defend them. Kudos to him.

I am going to back hso on this. Such a response is unacceptable. I would not tolerate it. The one time I felt so much as a whiff of condescension from some of my fellow Christians at church I pulled the good Book out, and showed them where they were not only being wrong, but un-Christian. It has not happened again.

If the church does not respond properly when you point to them the scriptures which show that being armed is not just a right but an order from Jesus, you need a new fellowship.

Oh, and if the in-laws are giving you grief, politely tell them to back off, or you will forbid them from ever being a part of the family again. After all, they have no right to see/speak to their grandkids. You have a hammer, use it.

 

[igpoobah]

Gossip and holier-than-than-thou attitudes at church?

Say it ain't so!



Stand your ground; invite some of these people to go shooting with you.

Or find another church. You really shouldn't have to put up with this crap.

 

[Eyesac]

you should meet with the minister of the church and explain the sinful behavior of his staff and of members of the congregation. Explain how gossip about you and your family is hurting all of you

+1

Your minister should be aware of this horse poop, before the lynch mob comes and demands that you never go on a youth trip again.

Why did you put yourself in this position by taking along your weapon on a Church Youth Outing

Are you kidding? What part of a church outing makes you not want to defend yourself?

 

[hobbeeman]

Why did you put yourself in this position by taking along your weapon on a Church Youth Outing.

I carry all of the time, except when prohibited. I guess I may not understand this question

And judging by your having to take a plane back home, it must have been across state lines.

In Texas, it is possible to travel great distances without leaving the State. (It's a Texan thing, you wouldn't understand ) Seriously though, I had traveled from Amarillo, to San Antonio, probably the same as travelling several states over for the rest of the country.

 

[Big Calhoun]

I would find another place to worship, personally. I'm not Christian so I don't know what scriptures would come into play, but as far as I'm concerned, if you're acting responsibly, legally, and maturely, this should have never been an issue. Your firearm, choice in firearms, or the fact that you are interested in firearms does not define who you are or what's in your heart.

As far as the gossip and what not, screw 'em, don't even bother responding. Let your responsible actions speak for you. If they can't understand that 'language', then that's something for them to work on.

 

[Breakdaddy]

Im sorry for your ordeal. If it's an option, I might consider another congregation for a fresh start. Other options may or may not be worth the hassle. I dont think many minds will be changed even if the people there start acting properly again, so there will always be condescension and negativity there from now on.

 

[hobbeeman]

I would be interested on the scriptures that the different posts refer to.

I have taught/been taught, that to live a full life, you honor God and that when others see you enjoying yourself, you give homage to your Lord. I have learned from many a great man that if people see the work you do, and praise God for it, then you have fulfilled a great service in the Kingdom of God.

All preaching aside, I read too often about Christians being attacked by armed men, and the best thing to stop this senseless slaughter is armed response!

 

[Dave_in_GA]

I was just relating this to how I read the GA Code:

(a) Except as provided in Code Section 16-11-127.1, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor when he or she carries to or while at a public gathering any explosive compound, firearm, or knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense.

(b) For the purpose of this Code section, "public gathering" shall include, but shall not be limited to, athletic or sporting events, churches or church functions, political rallies or functions, publicly owned or operated buildings, or establishments at which alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises. Nothing in this Code section shall otherwise prohibit the carrying of a firearm in any other public place by a person licensed or permitted to carry such firearm by this part.

Also, if I was a passenger in another person's car, especially if the other person had their own children along, I would feel compelled to at least let them know I was carrying.

I am a little new to the CCW thing, and I am working up to "I carry 'cause I CAN" ---

 

[sonofodin]

I like the attitude how christians are willing to pull "the good book" out to scold other christians. Sometimes, you have to keep your own in line. I back HSO on this as well. I can only imagine how you must feel, trusting someone of your church members to help you out only to find that he was so willing to take your trusted information and pass it along.

This is why I don't go to church. Besides the fact that Odinists don't go to church, we are suppose to hold honor on a very high pedestal. This is not meant to bash you or your religion. I applaud you for being open minded and rational about all things, but I cannot condone those that act close minded to anything but a book, much less leak confidential information of another. They are suppose to be not only your friends, but part of something great, are they not? Yet he was willing to not keep it private like a man. Now you are not only paying for it, your wife is paying for it and your son, which I feel sorry for, is getting his hide tanned for having something he EARNED the right to carry.

Most christians are bigot's and hypocrites. Lately, I've been meeting ones that are open minded and sane.

 

[Eyesac]

Yeah, if they're bugging your kids it's probably time to talk to the minister or find a new church. That stinks.

It's strange to me because I can't see my church flipping out like that, but I guess you'd never know.

 

[TallPine]

I would "fire" your church. You have better things to do with your life than hang around a bunch of intolerant bigots like they appear to be.

I would "fire" your inlaws too. That's what I did - most of them were "outlaws" anyway

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Amarillo can't be THAT small of a city. I think you need to seek out a new church (or parish or congregation -- I'm not suggesting that you change religion, only change the venue in which you practice the religion of your choice).

 

[JerryM]

I would discuss this with the senior pastor, and make my decisions after that. He should know that you are carrying legally, and that the purpose is purely for defense. You might point out that today no place is sacred to the violent criminals, or even an estranged husband or boy friend. He should also know that you have considered when to shoot and the potential danger to others. Inside a church building and during a service with a lot of people in a state of panic is not a good place.

There have been very few instances of someone shooting someone in a church. I doubt the odds are more than 1 in a million of a shooting being committed in a church.

My own pastor is glad that someone might carry.

If he does not want you to carry, then if it a church that is good doctrinally and in practice then I would submit to that. If there were another church in town where doctrine and practice were in harmony with the Scriptures, then I might change. But remember the Bible commands that we obey those who have the authority within the church.

FWIW, Jesus did not command Christians to go armed. That was said to the disciples, and there is no evidence that they ever used a sword to defend themselves.
It is not sinful to go armed, unless prohibited, or to defend oneself or family from thugs.
Don't take Luke 22:36 further than it was intended. He told them that two swords for the eleven were enough. Again it is not wrong, and this passage does reinforce the right of self defense.

Do not make carrying a firearm an idol. It is hard to find a good local church today, and the odds of having to use a firearm in church or at church functions are miniscule. Carry if you can, but it is more important to obey the Biblical injunction to obey them that have the rule over you than to be disobedient.

Lastly, I would say that the pastor must make sure that those who are critical are not gossiping and spreading dissent. That is a serious act of disobedience.

Regards,
Jerry

 

[Pilgrim]

Time to find a new church family and tell the old one why you are leaving.

Pilgrim

 

[SomeKid]

Most christians are bigot's and hypocrites. Lately, I've been meeting ones that are open minded and sane.

Lovely High Road material Gorg. Your post is an excellent example as to why threads on religion are almost always closed immediately.

Question for you Gorg, do you see anything HR or appropriate in the following quote?

Most Odinists are bigot's and hypocrites. Lately, I've been meeting ones that are open minded and sane.

 

[Justin]

Hey, Gorg, way to get the thread shut down.