The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has firmly ruled that firearms and other deadly weapons are not permitted within their buildings by anyone who is not a current law enforcement officer. No guns, no lethal weapons for the congregates, period.
This seems to be in response to the recent Texas law change that allows carry in places of worship. The LDS Church sent out specific reminders to their leadership in Texas in order to guide them in spreading the new policy. The Mormon Church has chosen gun free.
Not everyone is happy with the decision out of Utah, but as a private entity it is within their rights to set their rules. I hope, as I assume many do, that if this is to remain their policy they will take other steps to safeguard their congregates as they have taken the best methods of the flock safeguarding itself out of the members hands.
As we well know from worldwide events, places of worship are a popular target for extremists. Weddings, funerals, worship services, and community events of various faiths have all been targeted for extremist violence because of a difference or a perceived difference in belief. The justification is nearly unilaterally that the targeted group are subhuman or nefarius evil.
Most of these places are, traditionally by law or internal practice, gun free zones as is. There are exceptions and many worship centers have organized formal security teams in the wake of public attacks. The LDS Church has elected for a public gun free policy. Enshrining their soft target status in their public policies is a bad idea, anyone who holds hostility towards the Mormon faith now has public confirmation of their firearms policy.
The Mormon Church leadership wants to have their church members and guests feel safe in their place of worship, a noble goal to be sure. But that safety, that serenity they want for their places of faith can be shattered by a single evil intentioned individual.
It doesn’t quite work like that… I recommend shooting back.
