by Lou » Tue Dec 31, 2019 2:52 pm
Updated information on the shooter: According to recent new stories, the gunman had requested money from the church on numerous occasions in the past, but had gotten angry because he was always given food instead of cash. Not saying that this grudge is what led him to do what he did on Sunday, but there it is. He had a lengthy criminal history including felonies such as assault with a deadly weapon, which means that he was not legally entitled to own a firearm of any sort.
The possibility of an individual coming to the church requesting money and becoming angry when not given what they ask for is a potential scenario I deal with on a regular basis. The church I pastor is in an economically-depressed area of town, and rarely a week goes by that I don't have at least one (and sometimes several) individuals come seeking assistance of some kind or another. We have a policy that no one is given cash, but will try to help as we are able in other ways. And yes, on a few occasions people left angry at me because I wouldn't put some dollar bills in their hand. Never angry enough at me to get violent, but still. But that possibility--no matter how remote--it is something I cannot afford NOT to think about. I discussed it with a good friend in the church who is a policeman, and this is what he said to me: "If anyone ever attacks you in your office, you can try to get to the phone and call 911 and they will dispatch an officer who will get there as quickly as possible. But the chances of that officer arriving before the bad stuff has already happened are basically zero." And then he proceeded to advise me to go to our local gun range and try out a few pistols and find one that suited me; and then to get trained and licensed to carry that pistol.
Which is what I did. And even as I type this, a Glock 43 is riding on my hip underneath my shirt.