Mormon leaders ban guns on church property

(Image credit: George Frey/Getty Images)

published 27 August 2019

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints used to say it was "inappropriate" for people to bring firearms into its buildings, but now, they are strictly forbidden.

"Churches are dedicated for the worship of God and as havens from the cares and concerns of the world," the new policy states. "With the exception of current law enforcement officers, the carrying of lethal weapons on church property, concealed or otherwise, is prohibited."

The worldwide rule went into effect earlier this month, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. The policy can be found inside the church's updated handbook, but leaders in Texas are being asked to read it on Sunday, due to a new law that goes into effect in the state on Sept. 1. Under that law, it will be legal to carry concealed weapons into places of worship in Texas, but churches can still prohibit them as long as they give a verbal notice or post signs on their buildings.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Subscribe to The Week

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox