Well, I had an interesting experience today. My wife had asked me to give some sort of talk at her church social club. I said I would, and she asked me what the title would be. I said "Pieces of History." I explained that I would really like to clear it with the pastor first, and tell him what I was about. I did, and he did.

In actuality, the talk was about the standard rifles used in each of our wars from the Civil War to the present day. About 60 people showed up, not knowing what to expect. I had the rifles laid out on a table covered with a blanket, and I didn't uncover them until after the lunch which preceded my talk.

I thought it my duty to explain to the non-gun-people that guns aren't evil and that they don't need to be feared, only respected. It's people that are sometimes evil, not inanimate tools.

I covered eight guns which represented those used in our major conflicts, beginning with the Civil War (1855 Rifle Musket), Indian Wars (1879 trapdoor Springfield carbine), Spanish-American War (1896 Krag carbine), the Mexican punitive expedition and the First World War (1903 Springfield), WWII and Korea (M1 rifle), Vietnam (M14 and M16A1/AR-15), and Iraq/Afghanistan (M4/AR-15 carbine).

I was really pleased that the talk generated a lot of interest, even among those who did not know squat about guns. I hope they learned some history and to appreciate the guns that made history. I had fun doing it. Here are some pics from the talk:















Guns in church? Sure. In Arizona we're a gun-friendly state. I'm not sure this would have worked well in some other locales. At any rate, It wasn't your average church social, and I had some fun.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Congratulations on a job well done. I'm sure those in attendance took away a new found respect for firearms. Now if you can convince the church that you need to offer Part 2 to your short course and take them to the range, we'll all be thankful for some new "converts".

Blessings,
Hog

__________________
Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

We still shoot in the basement of a local public library out here (after hours of course )

Sounds like a very interesting meeting.

Niiiiiiice. I'll bet you enjoyed this!

In Ohio, you must have the permission of the church to carry a concealed handgun inside. I've never asked of our church and I don't carry there. Our church has a preschool and elementary school on the premises. Even though those don't operate on Sunday, it might be difficult (and risky) to formulate a comprehensive policy that is easily communicated to inquirers. Plus, there are people with CHL's that don't bother to conduct a detailed study of the CHL laws in Ohio; as a result, they might interpret a "Sure, you can carry here" policy as a license to violate laws prohibiting carry into childcare and education facilities. (But your honor, they said I could carry in here even though there is a elementary school in session!)

In short, were I advising my own church, I'd tell them to have a "no carry" policy unless the law permits the church to grant permission to specific individuals (like me) who know their duties under the law.

Church concealed carry is one of numerous improvements that could be made to Ohio's concealed carry laws. Churches could post just as any other private establishment does when it wishes to forbid concealed carry, and it's still up to the individual to know if they are in violation of other laws concerning childcare and education restrictions.

Very nice. Congrats on the job

__________________
Jorge

Super idea! Thanks for showing the "sane" side of guns.

__________________
Term limits!

Way to go.

If you could just get them to serve lutefisk for lunch, it would be the perfect church social.

Hey, that back ground looks like a Honky Tonk! Must be one them new fangled contemporary churches.

Never the less, nice work: good PR for our sport/hobby.

Out
West

I wish I could have heard that presentation.

If I had my own church,in order to be a member you would have to own a 357 magnum & carry it to church with you ..........or you wouldnt be allowed in. Lets all turn to page 34, of Handgun Stopping Power.. Please be seated......

.......and a big Amen.

As usual,Great post John.

__________________
Dum vivo cano

Wonderful!!! congratulations on reaching out to the non gun owning public; even a little of that will go a LONG way. Incidentally, your trapdoor carbine is a lot better looking than mine. Mine looks like it was on the losing side of several battles with the indians.

I've always preferred The Book of Browning, page 45, section A, part C, paragraph P for my 'holey' studies...

__________________
"... shall not be infringed."

You did good. More active gun owners should share their sport and educate the uninformed.

If you're trying to limit the attendance, maybe...

Who's that young feller holding the M-14? TACC1