What's Up Sheepdogs? Ryan here with Tampa Carry.

One of the common misbeliefs that a lot of brand new concealed carry permit holders have is they think they're prohibited from having a gun in a church, and this is just not accurate. There is nothing inside of Florida Concealed Carry Law that prohibits us from carrying a firearm at church.

However, there is a few situations that you are not allowed to have a gun at a church. According to Florida Statute 790.06, subsection 12, subsection a, subsection 10, we are prohibited from possessing a firearm at any elementary, secondary school facility or administrative building. I have friends that go to a church and this church actually leases the school gymnasium every single Sunday to perform their church service.

According to the current law, even though the church is leasing that school gymnasium, and there are no students on the premises, on the campus, those members of the church would be prohibited from concealed carrying or possessing a firearm anywhere on the property.

I also have a friend who goes to a very large church and this church actually has a Christian school that is located on the property. Therefore, under the current law any of those individuals that are going to that church service are prohibited from concealed carrying or possessing a firearm anywhere on the property because there is a school located on the property.

Introducing House Bill 259, which seems like it would eliminate this restriction on churches that are leasing or operating their church inside of a school.

Let's take a look at what the bill says. "this is an act relating to the safety of religious institutions, amending Florida Statute 790.06, authorizing for special purposes a concealed weapon or concealed firearm to be carried on certain property of a church, synagogue or other religious institution."

It then goes on to say "a license issued under this section does not authorize any person to openly carry a handgun or conceal carry a firearm into," then it provides a list of all of the prohibited places we are never allowed to possess or carry a gun. I'll put a link right here to a video that explains each of these.

But the one that concerns me is it still says, "number 10, any elementary or secondary school facility or administrative building, not withstanding any other law, for the purpose of safety and security, personal protection or any other lawful person, a person licensed under this section to carry a concealed firearm or weapon may carry a firearm onto property owned, rented, leased, borrowed, or lawfully used by a church or a synagogue, or any other religious institution, unless the church synagogue or other religious institution has a posted policy specifically prohibiting persons who are lawfully licensed under this section from carrying a firearm on such property."

You notice inside of that section it says that any property that a church is leasing. Does that apply to a church that has a school on its property?

I think so the way that I'm reading it. And I know that lots of our Florida legislators have been fighting for years to pass laws like this, because it just makes zero sense.

In my opinion I want guns at every place where bad evil people like to target to commit their acts of violence. What better place to target than a church? Because people in the church are not paying attention usually, they're watching the pastor, everybody feels safe and bad guys feel like that is a perfect target to commit an act of extreme violence.

That's where I want my gun the most. So I'm excited to see what's going to come of this bill and tell me down below, do you guys think conceal carry permit holders should be allowed to conceal carry a firearm into a church? Do you think that concealed carry permit holders whose church is located in a school should be allowed to conceal carry?

That's all I have for today. So until next time keep training and stay safe...

Ryan G. Thomas

P.S. You’re one step away from getting your Florida concealed carry permit….FAST & EASY…

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