Where do you sit

[Jeepnik]

In church?

The church I attend is set up like many others. A door at the rear of the sanctuary and one on either side, roughly in the middle. And of course entrances on either side of the altar.

For decades now I have sat on the right (facing the altar) rear corner. I don't know exactly when I started doing it, but at this church it was when I returned after leaving the service. Sometime after that I obtained a CCW and started to carry to church. No specific reason back then, it just felt right.

I usually attend the same service every week, but sometimes things get in the way and I'll attend another. There is an older fellow who, near as I can tell attends everyone. He sits in the left rear corner. I don't remember when I first noticed that Jas always seemed to be there. At 70+ years old, he is still physically impressive and honestly most folks think he's in his 50's.

Jas hasn't seemed to have lost any of the muscle he developed horsing a big ole motorcycle around. He still carries the same 4" Colt Python he carried for the over two decades he rode those motorcycles.

There are a few others who seem to be sprinkled around, the number does seem to be increasing, and like most folks they have "their" pews.

A while ago we got a new, and seemly very young, Priest. He noticed Jas was always there, always in the same place. It took the young fellow a while to figure out that Jas had a the best "view" of the sanctuary from there.

So after rambling on the question remains. Where do you sit?

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Well, these days, wherever the ushers put me! I gave up being a "church goer" many decades ago so if you find me in church today, someone's getting married or buried. When I was a regular, even to the point of every day for a short while during my one year in a Catholic grade school, I liked the right rear...

Rick C

 

[SamV]

I sit where my wife and family can see and hear best. My church has multiple doors. I am not sure what would be an advantageous location. I would be lying if I said that I never thought about safety while I am at church. I will occasionally carry to church, but actually I am more concerned about some of the neighborhoods that I have to go through to get to church. That is probably the greater threat to my safety. I am not dismissing the tragedy of church attacks, but I feel like it is still a really low risk for me. I suppose I feel that way in general. The things that I worry about are much more common. I have very typical urban problems around me. That being said, I wouldn't dismiss anyone's desire to carry in church. I know that my church has actually quietly increased security over time. I know several ushers have taken various classes, and I would suspect that several carry also.

 

[Colonialgirl]

When I go (rarely) I like the right rear last Pew in the church and YES I always carry ccw; It gives me a good view and a rapid exit.

 

[Mike J]

Our church is sat up different than the traditional way. There are 3 entrances. One is in the middle of the back. There are two on the sides in line with each other. If you drew a line from one to the other it would be in front of the pulpit. There are three sections of seats with aisles in between & on the sides. The back wall is also lined with chairs. When we first started going to this church our son was 2. We sat in the back to one side of the back entrance so if we had issues with him we wouldn't disturb anyone.

Last year I attended a once a year event the man that does the men's breakfast hosts. They do a mixed grill & let people socialize & shoot. One of the elders started talking to me about guns & suggested I speak to the pastor about the security team they were putting together. He mentioned where I sit when he made the suggestion.

 

[MalteseHoss]

Where in the Church is not important, but it is in a spot that is tactically chosen. It offers a less obvious quick exit, maybe avoiding getting trampled, and at the same time the fastest way to where my daughter would be if she is an alter server for that mass.

Reminds me of a mass a couple years ago I attended at a different Church than my regular one. A guy of apparent Northern African descent stormed in yelling "WHO IS YOUR GOD" walking fast towards the alter while kids were gathered around it listening to a special sermon. Every man in the place jumped up and bum rushed the guy and dragged him out the nearest door. Turns out the guy just had a screw loose but it looked pretty bad for a minute there. We can't carry in my state but even the antis wished we could that day.

 

[SR1911SHOOTER]

If possible, in the gunfighters seat, with my back to the wall.
Blackie

 

[Bob Wright]

We joined our current church in 1991, and picked fourth row from front, left side of center section. Because I help take up the offering, I sit on the end of our pew. Unless sick or out of town, every Sunday morning and Sunday night.

As to security, we have cameras set up to view all areas of our church and parking lot. Also we have, and have had for awhile, armed (and licensed) security guard stationed at several points. As soon as our service starts, doors are locked but manned in case of late comers.

Bob Wright

 

[bogus bill]

Have you ever noticed maybe the first time you go to a new restaurant or a new church or whatever, when you go back you usually sit in the same spot if its open? I never sit facing a wall, always try to face the door or at least some window over looking the street. No, its not like trying to play Wyatt Earp or whoever. I have always been a people watcher both on and off the job since I retired I still do it.
When I was a small boy my dad taught me early as five years old to always keep a sense of direction. He would quiz me on what direction north was. Ever since unless or until I know my directions I wont be comfortable in a large store or whatever I go in to. I very seldom if ever, been lost or couldn't give you a pretty close answer to what direction is what. When I was nineteen I worked every day with a silva compass taking bearings for my job as a blister rust checker in the back country of Yosemite NP. Also used to fly with the barest of instruments across the country.

 

[Don Lovel]

I always put myself where I can see the front door and the kitchen back door/restroom passage.
Even in a grocery store I tend to hang back and let others check out from a good viewpoint, then get through the checkout and out the door as fast as possible. I even use the security mirrors or reflections in cooler door windows, store windows to see what folks are doing (too many years working shoplifters) and I always watch people's hands or fidgeting with clothing like they are trying to conceal a gun.
Since things got even weirder in public with all the antifa and BLM leaning thug mentality, I visually profile characters by their body language and belligerent attitude

 

[Tom W]

In one church I was asked to carry and altho I was the song leader and choir director I sat in the second pew on the left near the front. I still had an eye on the doors and congregation, it was a small church.

The current church is huge. I still sit in the second or sometimes third row from the front, but the pastor will not allow anyone to carry except a few bodyguards. Outside the parking lot and the perimeter is swarming with the local police, both for traffic control and to keep an eye on people...

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

There are 5 large sections of seating in the sanctuary. My wife and I tend to sit in the second one near the rear but on the aisle. I typically help with communion and offering. It only holds about 600 people but it has 8 egress doors, it certainly wasn't designed for security in any way. They have finally come up with a kind of security group, which I initially thought I wanted to be involved with. The guy heading it up is a cop that doesn't even carry, and doesn't think any of the security people need to carry because it should only take 1-2 minutes for a cop to get there. We all know that is crap. Even if it does, then they wait for back up, and have to come up with a plan and on and on. Half the congregation could be dead by that time. Course there are 5 services on Sunday to get everyone in, so your chance of being there if anyone decides to do something it's only 20% chance it will be the service you are in. But then they don't have a problem with any one else carrying during the service so I decided I'd prefer to not be a part of it and carry and if something happens I'll try and help.

 

[sncup]

Our church has 18” columns on the parking lot side to hold up the balcony. I’m most comfortable sitting at the end of the pew just in front of a column. If a shooting started the protection of a column is only a step away. The church is antigun, but I & my wifes life are more important than their politics, so I carry and no one knows.

 

[vito]

Safely at home.

 

[Rick Courtright]

but the pastor will not allow anyone to carry except a few bodyguards.

Hi,

I'm not the Bible student some of you are, but I recall a story about Jesus restoring the severed ear of a man Peter had just taken his sword to. If memory serves, He told Peter to put his sword away, not to get rid of it. Wonder how the pastor might view that story as applied to today's climate?

Rick C

 

[bogus bill]

I wouldn't feel the need to tell the preacher or anyone else that I may be packing, if I am. Our preacher loves guns and shooting anyway. My doctor (NP) has one room with mounted game heads in it that he shot. We also have flying and motorcycles in common plus he lets his dog have run of the place and it will come and greet you. Same with my barber. I never have dealt with ANY anti gunners in the circle of people I associate or chose to do business with that I can recall. Maybe I need to get out more. I had preacher friends I used to hunt with years ago.

 

[volshooter]

I spent an hour and a half today with our Preacher. I am in charge of our 30 man security team.
Our thought is to keep one legally armed security member just inside the main only door unlocked during service while 2 others roam.
Our thought is to prevent a potential crazy from entering the building, keep it out side. We have folks stationed. All security as well as nursery and children's church have radios, all tuned to a single channel.

Honestly, if I'm outside the main doors any deranged idiot could take us out with a long gun before we could even see him.
Gonna work on that.

 

[Colonel Daddy]

My brother is an Independent Baptist Minister and told me one time I was always welcome to visit his church. I'm perfectly satisfied where I'm at! I reminded him that it wasn't 'his' church, but The Lords Church. Knowing that I always carry (he does too), he said he had no problem with me carrying in church. Told him he had no say in the matter. The state of Florida has no such laws banning legal carry in churches and unless he had state approved signs to the contrary on ALL entrance doors, I would cary in any church I chose to! Preferred seating is center section, half way down on the right end of the pew!

 

[Colonel Daddy]

In one church I was asked to carry and altho I was the song leader and choir director I sat in the second pew on the left near the front. I still had an eye on the doors and congregation, it was a small church.

The current church is huge. I still sit in the second or sometimes third row from the front, but the pastor will not allow anyone to carry except a few bodyguards. Outside the parking lot and the perimeter is swarming with the local police, both for traffic control and to keep an eye on people...

Tom, I have friends who live in Alabama, attend a large church and both of them carry, all the time. Is this a state law about carrying in church's or something the preacher decides. Depending on the denomination, it may not be up to the minister but rather the board of deacons.

 

[wunbe]

Even as a life-long, paid up, member of the First Heim-Bliebers Kirk, I applaud all of you involved in securing your places of worship and the church authorities who authorize and help organize it. It speaks ill of the times we live in but well of your communities of faith.

I despair of the states and cities and major churche hierarchies that make such common sense moves illegal or impermissable.

wunbe