Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. urges students to arm themselves

We’ve had, what, three mass shootings in the last four weeks, and two of them by Muslim extremists that were affiliated with Islamic terrorist groups? I think that carrying weapons for self-defense is not only common sense, but is frankly, pretty wise given everything that’s going on.

I like what Eowyn said in the film adaption of The Two Towers: “The women of this country learned long ago, those without swords can still die upon them.”

Is this really the impression we want people to have?

In the past, I’ve heard it argued that even if the Second Amendment protects private ownership of guns, it only applies to long guns that would make sense as weapons for a militia (because the Amendment starts with a reference to “a well-regulated militia”). Seems to me that, in this day of unpredictable enemy attacks on our civilian population at “soft” targets, the concealed carry handgun has become a very important “militia” weapon.

I own guns, and I’m pro-second amendment but this type of “pulpit machismo” is preaching foolishness.

There are much better ways of communicating this idea. And if he’s carrying a loaded handgun in his “back pocket” instead of a holster, he’s not too smart.

Someone is trying to kill your wife at work, your kid at a school. Someone is committed to destroying your nation. Someone wants to kill all the Christians and replace your churches with mosques. And we are supposed to worry about the impressions we give to defend ourselves? I’m so glad our forbears — both Democrats and Republicans — weren’t concerned about impressions when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, or when the Germans sank the Lusitania, or when the Russians stationed missiles in Cuba, or when the Muslims brought down the Trade Towers. There is a time for peace, and there is a time for war. There is a time for patience, and there is a time for retaliation. Now is not the time for peaceful coexistence with evil. Let us pray, let us witness, BUT let us not betray those who look to us for decisive action.

Personally, I am at least as scared of bunch of unqualified people carrying guns than I am of terrorists. Terrorists are pretty rare. Half crazy, overly emotional and foolish people are not. I would not be interested in going to a church if everyone was packing guns.

[GregH]

Personally, I am at least as scared of bunch of unqualified people carrying guns than I am of terrorists. Terrorists are pretty rare. Half crazy, overly emotional and foolish people are not. I would not be interested in going to a church if everyone was packing guns.

It is an odd thing to claim that people who attend church who also carry guns are unqualified, half crazy, overly emotional, and foolish. In my small congregation, I know that there are between 2 and 4 men carrying a concealed weapon. I would not classify them as any of those things. In fact, they have all been trained to carry, know their weapon well, have practiced with it, and are qualified to carry. Your description of concealed carry gun owners is exactly what those who oppose the second amendment want the general population to believe about gun owners, but those facts are not backed up by reality.

Shades of J. Frank Norris.

I know churches that have several members who regularly, legally, carry guns to church and elsewhere. Never heard of them shooting up the place unnecessarily, not even in a business meeting. I would be much more concerned with terrorists or a mentally unstable murderer, than with them. I’m very comfortable around good guys with guns.

If someone comes in our church to murder as many as possible, they will probably be finished by the time police get there. I’d be very grateful for any and all law abiding members with a concealed carry permit.

It really is true - usually the only thing that stops a bad man with a gun is a good man with a gun.

If you are comfortable with guns, I’d advise you to get a concealed carry permit. Keep a good gun in your car; perhaps a smaller one to carry at all times. You might end up saving a life.

By the way, a walking cane can also make a very useful weapon.

David R. Brumbelow

[GregH]

Personally, I am at least as scared of bunch of unqualified people carrying guns than I am of terrorists. Terrorists are pretty rare. Half crazy, overly emotional and foolish people are not. I would not be interested in going to a church if everyone was packing guns.

Anyone who would carry a handgun in his pocket is unqualified and evidently didn’t pay attention when he took the gun safety course.

I know some very qualified, competent people who carry a gun in their pockets. There are small guns and pocket holsters after all. Some police carry a small backup or off-duty gun.

Most concealed carry permit holders are not going to carry a tactical rifle or large handgun. Rather for convenience, conceal-ability, etc., they will carry a small handgun; a .38 or a .22 magnum.

If you had to use it, sure, it would be better to have a larger gun and caliber. But if you are under attack a .22 magnum is much better than having no gun at all.

You can even get pretty small 9mms, etc. Most will not carry a large gun because of it’s bulk; when they will carry a small light gun.

David R. Brumbelow