Do you/would you carry a concealed firearm to Mass?

[Fuerza]

The difference being that nuclear and biological weapons have no legitimate purpose other than to destroy life, and would be horribly inefficient self-defense weapons (unless you count the rare issue of meteor defense in the case of nuclear missiles). That’s comparing apples to soccer (something else that I feel serves no legitimate purpose, but that’s another issue).

 

[exnihilo]

I don’t agree. Why can’t evil explain it? People commit evil acts all the time. Small evil acts lead to big evil acts. Mental evil acts lead to evil action. We have a tendency to dismiss mass killings as something only a madman would do. But it is something an evil man would do.

 

[Duesenberg]

Well, letting people with mental health problems own guns was a probably a contributing factor, yes.

If the mentally ill person didn’t have easy access to a gun, however…

I am all for mentally ill people not being allowed to own firearms. But they must be adjudicated as mentally ill.

I am very much against taking away a constitutional right without due process! This is the USA, not Saudi Arabia!

 

[fredystairs]

The erroneous belief that it is somehow intrinsically morally wrong to carry a firearm inside of a church.

I concur. I worked on a project in Kosovo at Camp Bondsteel and attended Mass there. ALL of the military were carrying (I was not carrying because I was a civilian at the time.) The priest did not seem to have any problem with it.

 

[Morgan20]

Yes I would bring a gun to mass to protect myself and all my fellow Catholics

 

[niceatheist]

The difference being that nuclear and biological weapons have no legitimate purpose other than to destroy life, and would be horribly inefficient self-defense weapons (unless you count the rare issue of meteor defense in the case of nuclear missiles). That’s comparing apples to soccer (something else that I feel serves no legitimate purpose, but that’s another issue).

The chief reason there wasn’t a Third World War was because it’s almost certain that in a war between the USSR and the Western powers, nuclear weapons would almost certainly have been used. Even by the mid-1950s, the idea of the major belligerents ever heating up the Cold War was unimaginable. Admittedly this lead to dozens of regional proxy wars that still killed a lot of people, but nothing like the numbers that would have been killed in a direct conflict between the post-WWII powers.

So I’d argue that the most successful peace program has been nuclear weapons. They make total war between the major powers inconceivable.

 

[njlisa]

Jesus instructs his followers to carry swords.

"He said to them, ‘But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.’ " (Luke 22:36).

That being said, I don’t feel qualified to carry a weapon. Plus I am disabled. So I’d have to pass, unless our Diocesan Bishop instructs all Catholics to take training in the use of firearms.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Only in the US - to the rest of the civilised world

If the rest of the world is so “civilized”, why does it always need our help, especially militarily?

 

[Eric_Hyom]

Eric_Hyom:

When Peter tried to defend Jesus with his sword, the Lord said to put the sword away.

You’re honestly comparing that to the murder of 26 people in a small church in Texas? Really?

Yes, Because this life is only temporary, we all die. We look forward to a greater good life after death.

Where does Jesus say it is right to carry swords, or to use them.

 

[StephieNorthCo]

I would agree with you there. The few times I went skeet shooting, it was indeed fun.

 

[njlisa]

I just reviewed our New Jersey gun laws. I think our only option would be to have armed security guards in the parish. Otherwise, we would be violating the law.

 

[Fuerza]

Nonsense. Everyone knows that World War III was avoided because Chuck Norris said so.

 

[upant]

upant:

LilyM:

By the same token, God also doesn’t want us to live lives ruined by obsessive fear of those who, when all is said and done, can only destroy the body and not the soul.

a healthy dose of situational awareness is all that is needed.

those with their head in the sand or people walking around with their earphones on and nose in the phone are easy targets.

read the crime reports of shopping mall parking lots.

Upant, this seems eccentric to me.

Situational awareness is for soldiers in combat situations. People who are living ordinary lives aren’t suppose to be waiting for a Die Hard scenario to develop. You’re not suppose to be in a partially elevated state of mind at all times. You should be thinking about things like work, friends, family, God, spaghetti, cherry cheesecake, a hot shower, a good book, etc. Worrying about a mass shooter is like anticipating a meteorite or a lightning bolt to strike you.

no it is not only for soldiers in combat.

at its simplest, situational awareness is simply knowing what’s going on around you. it is a mindset that you get used to doing without having to think about it.

it was taught to scouts where i’m from. it was part of their leadership training to ensure safe camping trips, hikes, fund raising, meetings, etc. we stressed it also as part of the buddy system when they were out in the public. some remember it fondly by calling it being prepared.

 

[njlisa]

Dear friends,

I would urge everyone to take a look at the actual murder rates in the U.S. according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

“WASHINGTON – The nation’s homicide rate fell to 4.8 homicides per 100,000 U.S. residents in 2010, its lowest level in four decades, the Bureau of Justice Statistics announced today. Much of the decline was in the nation’s largest cities, those with a population of one million or more, where the homicide rate dropped dramatically from 35.5 homicides per 100,000 residents in 1991 to a low of 11.9 per 100,000 in 2008.”

Mass shootings are certainly scary. And they get lots of publicity. But truth be told, urban areas are the most dangerous places in the country. This year, for instance, Chicago is one of the most dangerous areas in the country.

These statistics don’t argue against arming oneself where it is legal (even at church). But we need to know where the most dangerous areas are.

 

[Duesenberg]

I would urge everyone to take a look at the actual murder rates in the U.S. according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Thank you for the sanity check.

 

[tweedlealice]

I didn’t mean guns decrease voluntarily. If gun manufacturers DECREASE PRODUCTION OF ASSAULT WEAPONS for Military and Police,
The availability of those type of weapons will decrease w capture and breakage in the illegal
Arena. One would hope!!! Are, there European manufacturers? If there are, check import boxes.
Different Protestant Churches do allow the guns
in the church. I just found out. Some have a few Parishioners carry guns and are in the congregation.
Why do shootings happen? Racial issues, Apparently, DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS have issues now.(Thank you Pelosi for RESISTANCE=Treason) DOMESTIC ISSUES.
Getting rid of guns would change assualt format.
Knives, Fire, Explosions, etc.
My mind can wander but the thought is on topic, I think. Guns in church, shootings, WHY!
God bless all.
Lord, political correctness has brought us down strange paths. You love us all but hate our sins.
Let the church return to teaching your correct message. In Jesus name,

 

[SuperLuigi]

It’s a decision that each person needs to make for him or herself.

 

[pnewton]

No, I do not, and never have carried a gun into Mass. I simply do not believe in it.

 

[Duesenberg]

If gun manufacturers DECREASE PRODUCTION OF ASSAULT WEAPONS

“Assault weapons” are very rare in the USA. They have been under tight federal control since 1934. Handguns are BY FAR the most common firearm used to kill in the USA.

The availability of those type of weapons will decrease w capture and breakage in the illegal

There will still be more than enough for criminals. They can easily be manufactured in small shops and garages too.

 

[njlisa]

I have to correct an earlier statement about the U.S. being the most dangerous country in the developed world. If you go by developed countries, South Africa has the highest murder rate. Check out this data on Wikipedia.