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Elder get your gun, the preacher’s running his mouth

[additional-authors]
August 18, 2008

Imagine you are sitting in church, listening to Pastor Bob sermonize about tithing for the tenth time since Tax Day, and the service is running long, and the air conditioning is out, and Bob is still talking, still talking, still talking … What if you could reach into your waistline (or purse) and pull out your 9 mm and remind Pastor Bob to wrap it up?

Well, you might never be able to do that—not without committing a felony—but Georgia lawmakers are interested in easing gun restrictions to allow folks with firearm licenses to carry them into churches and onto school grounds. Sort of gives a new meaning to “praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.”

Here’s one pastor’s perspective on the prospect:

The logic, as expressed by one legislator, is that unlicensed lawbreakers have guns anyhow, so there’s no sense in not allowing licensed law-abiding citizens to have theirs with them. Who wouldn’t want duly licensed persons to have the peace of mind they need to study algebra or to worship God—the kind of peace of mind that can only come from having your trusty firearm tucked away in your pocket or in your purse?

I can only imagine how my experience of worshipping the Prince of Peace would be enhanced by the warm feeling of blue steel tucked in its holster between my arm and torso. Or how my trust in God would soar because of my knowledge that if anyone threatens me during my prayers, I could blow him away faster than you can say “Amen.”

Hat tip to the DMN religion blog. The possibility reminds me of when, after a string of muggings, L.A. Jews started carrying guns on the Sabbath.

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