Virginia pastors getting trained to carry guns in churches safely Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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MARGARET: IN LIGHT OF RECENT MASS SHOOTINGS AT SCHOOLS AND EVEN HOUSES OF WORSHIP, SOME PASTORS IN VIRGINIA HAVE DECIDED TO GO TO CHURCH ARMED. THEY’RE GETTING FREE TRAINING ON HOW TO DO SO SAFELY. TAJ SIMONS STOPPED BY THE CLASS IN MARTINSVILLE. >> SO, WE HAVE GOT A DOUBLE-ACTION SEMI-AUTOMATIC. >> WILLIE GREENE KNOWS GUNS, AND HE HAS MADE A LIVING PASSING ON HIS KNOWLEDGE TO PEOPLE IN AND AROUND MARTINSVILLE. BUT THESE STUDENTS KNOW LESS ABOUT GUNS AND MORE ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK. >> IF ANYBODY NEEDS TO BE ARMED, THE PASTORS ARE ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES WHILE THEY ARE DELIVERING THE WORD. >> THESE ARE ALL PASTORS WHO BELIEVE A GUN COULD BE THEIR CHURCH’S BEST DEFENSE. AGAINST A DEADLY ATTACK. >> GOOD. >> EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A SMALL TOWN IN A SMALL CITY, PEOPLE MAY NOT THINK IT CAN HAPPEN HERE, BUT IT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE. >> MORE THAN A DOZEN PASTORS FLOCKED INTO GREENE’S CONCEALED CARRY CLASS. >> LET’S TAKE THIS IN HERE I , AND WANT YOU TO ROTATE YOUR HAND JUST LIKE THAT. >> GREENE MADE THIS CLASS FREE FOR ALL OF THE INTERESTED PASTORS BECAUSE HE BELIEVES CHURCHES ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE. >> CRIMINALS SEE THE CHURCHES AS SOFT TARGETS. THEY’RE NOT LOOKING FOR RESISTANCE. THEY’RE LOOKING TO GO IN AND DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO. >> WHILE STATE LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO DEBATE GUN CONTROL MEASURES IN RICHMOND, PASTORS IN THE CLASS, INCLUDING LARRY LUFFMAN SAID NONE OF IT MATTERS IF A SHOOTER STORMS INTO CHURCH TOMORROW. >> EVERY CHURCH HAS TO BE AWARE OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS, AND BE AWARE OF THE TIMES IN, WHICH THEY LIVE AND I THINK EQUIPPING THEIR PEOPLE IS IMPORTANT. >> GREENE BELIEVES PEOPLE IN CHURCH ARE PROTECTED BY A HIGHER POWER. >> ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNLESS YOU’RE READY TO SHOOT. >> BUT SAYS THEY COULD ALSO USE SOME HIGH-POWERED SECURITY DOWN HERE ON EARTH. >> OUR PASTORS ARE PRAYING FOR OUR SOULS, BUT WHILE YOU ARE DOING IT SPIRITUALLY, BUT BUT PHYSICALLY YOU MAY HAVE TO PROTECT HIMSELF AS WELL AS HIS FLOCK. MARGARET: THAT WAS TAJ SIMONS REPORTING. GREE

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