SURPRISED READING DEAR ABBY TODAY

[bubbiesdad]

Not by the letter, but by the reply. A totally different Abby than a few years ago.

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today's Dear Abby

PISTOL-PACKING PARISHIONER CAUSES UNEASE IN THE FLOCK

DEAR ABBY: My parents told me that a member of their congregation carries a licensed gun when he's in church. He is not a law enforcement officer or a private security guard, but keeps the gun on him "for protection." When I asked what the pastor has to say about this, I was told, "He doesn't know or can't do anything about it."

I suggested that Mom and Dad speak to the congregation board of directors because they are legally and financially responsible for the church. They refused even though they are not happy about this gun issue.

My parents have a long history of complaining about things but doing nothing to resolve them. I feel that if someone needs to carry a gun at all times, I don't want to be in his presence. If he's the target of an assassination, the killer might shoot the wrong person. I will not set foot in the church as long as that man is there.

I'm not sure what bothers me more -- that this man is packing heat or that my parents have valid concerns and won't speak out. What do you think? -- GUN-SHY IN N.Y.C.

DEAR GUN-SHY: If the man has a license to carry the gun, then he is breaking no laws. You are certainly within your rights to refrain from being in his presence. If your parents were really concerned about their safety, they would either talk to the pastor or go somewhere else to worship. Because they have done neither, I think you should let it go.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Haven't seen Dear Abby in years. That one was a good answer, however.

[Guest goomba]

saw that in the paper today. I liked her response. although she should have just said 'grow up'

[Volzfan]

There is probably someone else writing that column now but I'm still surprised that was allowed in the paper these days.

[vontar]

Can I try my hand at it.

I better not, it was well written.

[Guest DeadEye]

Carrying in Church is illegal in some states and the Ga gov signed such a bill yesterday!

Edited June 10, 2010 by DeadEye

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Carrying in Church is illegal in same states and the Ga gov signed such a bill yesterday!

Now that's interesting.

[vontar]

My dad knew a preacher when he grew up that carry a pistol while he preached.

Had I known about this story I would have ask dad about that, I spent some time with him today shooting.

[Guest DeadEye]

My dad knew a preacher when he grew up that carry a pistol while he preached.

Rowdy Congregation!

[kb4ns]

Now that's sad.

FTFY

[Mike.357]

so its not like there has ever been a shooting in a church, has there?

Most of Abby's letters are made up and besides that Abby is not the responder anyway.

[LagerHead]

saw that in the paper today. I liked her response. although she should have just said 'grow up'

"Let it go" is a nice way of saying "grow up." At least that's how I'm reading it.

[Guest tnvolfan]

Dear Abby was created by Pauline Phillips, who also has a twin sister, Esther, who founded the "Ann Landers" column. The sisters basically had competing newspaper columns and had a long-standing disagreement but reconciled in later years. Esther died in 2002, and Pauline is currently suffering from Alzheimer's disease and no longer writes. Her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, is the current writer of the "Dear Abby" column and retains all legal rights to the name.

It is no wonder she sounds different because Abby is a different person. With respect to carrying in church, there are three services at my church, and there are numerous people carrying, both men and women, and the pastor is well aware of it. Considering some of the strange things that have happened at churches in the past few years, the pastor as well as many in our congregation are glad people are ready to respond should it be needed. We also have policemen who watch over our parking lot. It's a shame that people can't even park their cars at church without them getting robbed, but it is just the world we live in these days.

[eapking]

Considering some of the strange things that have happened at churches in the past few years, the pastor as well as many in our congregation are glad people are ready to respond should it be needed. We also have policemen who watch over our parking lot. It's a shame that people can't even park their cars at church without them getting robbed, but it is just the world we live in these days.

+1. Personally I can't think of a more logical place to carry. Churches seem to attract plenty of nuts bent on securing a one-way ticket to the lake of fire.

[Guest DeadEye]

In 1 church in Cleveland Tn last yr. they started training Parisherners as special deputies to work durinng service, they did receive a 6 hr or so course at the Sheriff dept!

[eapking]

I'd love to serve as such in mine. They don't seem to be too keen on the idea though.

[daddyo]

I will never understand why someone fears a law-abiding citizen more than a criminal.

Whenever I attend worship, I am carrying. I believe God helps those who help themselves. All I ask is that He gives me a steady aim if I am ever called upon to defend myself or someone else, whether in His house or not.

[greenego]

There is probably someone else writing that column now but I'm still surprised that was allowed in the paper these days.

I believe Abby's daughter writes the column now. I like everyone else was surprised but pleased by her response.

[analog_kidd]

My belief is that all church-going people should embrase carrying. In our constitution, the only thing more important than being able to own and carry a firearm, was the right to free speech and free religion. If you allow the second ammendment to be eroded, what's to stop the first ammendment from going away too?

[Guest stonewalrus]

There is probably someone else writing that column now but I'm still surprised that was allowed in the paper these days.

I think the lady that did Abby is dead and there is someone else doing it these days.

[JAB]

The letter stated something to the effect of, "He is not a law enforcement officer or a private security guard..."

So what? Is he a criminal? No? Then what's the friggin' problem? Yet another example of what I mean when I say that the world would be a much better place if more folks would just mind their own damned business.

Carrying in Church is illegal in some states and the Ga gov signed such a bill yesterday!

Why? Must have been just for clarification because, to my understanding*, the prohibition against carrying a firearm while attending a 'public gathering', which was already on the books, made it illegal to carry a firearm in church.

*I am not a lawyer and don't play one on TV, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn last night. That said, I read up on the generalities of Georgia firearms carry laws last week in anticipation of spending last weekend visiting my grandfather in Georgia.

Edited June 11, 2010 by JAB

[Mark@Sea]

Dear Abby, Dear Abby, I live in fear,

There's a man with a gun that keeps coming 'round here.

He might snap any day, I'm in fear for my life,

he must be paranoid, this just isn't right!

Signed with a tear, 'Fraidy.

Oh Fraidy, dear Fraidy, what should I say?

You're around folks with guns on 'most any day,

They're ready and able to defend what's right.

Now just what are your plans if you get in a fight?

Will you run, will you hide, will you give up your purse?

And, dear you know, it could well be much worse.

The armed live in peace while you live in fear,

So tell me again your problem, my dear.

Ask that young fellow, he'll be glad to help out.

You'll soon have a pistol, instead of a pout...

You won't fear for your life, or being out too late,

you may even end up (finally) out on a date!

Signed,

Armed Abby

[DavidM]

I will never understand why someone fears a law-abiding citizen more than a criminal.

Whenever I attend worship, I am carrying. I believe God helps those who help themselves. All I ask is that He gives me a steady aim if I am ever called upon to defend myself or someone else, whether in His house or not.

Ditto, DaddyO. When I am not carrying during the service is when I accidentally leave it at home! I am not looking to hijack the thread, but I'll add that I feel some church members are called to protect the pastor. That being said, we had a gentleman come in during one of our morning services a few months back. Thankfully (???) he sat directly in front of me, rocking back and forth anxiously. Right as our pastor made it to the pulpit to speak, our visitor quickly got up and began walking towards him. I slipped out of the pew and was right on his heels. He knelt at the altar for a very quick second or two, popped up and started walking out. I was "helping" escort him out, too. THAT day I forgot my gun. Remembering to carry hasn't been a real problem for me since.

I believe in love for fellow man and all of the Good Book statutes, but I also believe in the preservation of my wife as well as others, not to mention little ol' me. I don't know how many ladies of the church told me how secure they felt when they saw me get up after this guy. I'll keep packin'!

[Mike.357]

[nightrunner]

did anybody else catch that this was in NYC? Arent they a shall not issue state?