I was originally going to avoid posting anything about this incident, but I have learned enough details about the shooting incident in California that I have to. Please read this very carefully. This has to change.
On Sunday 29-August-2010, Bishop Clay Sannar was shot and killed in an LDS meetinghouse (Church) in Visalia, CA.
The shooter was Kenneth Ward. He was a former member of the LDS Church.
He walked in between meetings and asked to see a leader or Bishop.
He went into the Bishops office with Bishop Sannar and shot him in the foot.
HE THEN DRAGGED HIM OUT OF THE OFFICE AND INTO THE HALLWAY WHERE HE SHOT HIM IN THE HEAD IN FRONT OF WITNESSES FROM THE CONGREGATION.
Because those witnesses were unarmed and did not have a prepared mindset, they simply looked on as it happened.
Gordon B Hinckley decided on a POLICY (not a DOCTRINE) prohibiting firearms in LDS Houses of Worship in the State of Utah. They had the law modified to allow for this. The LDS Church is the ONLY Church that does this. They discourage the practice in all LDS Meetinghouses outside of Utah.
We have had one sister in Utah killed because no one there had a firearm and was prepared to act.
We have now had this incident in which a good man was dragged like a sheep to the slaughter in front of his congregation.
IT IS TIME FOR THIS POLICY TO BE REVERSED IMMEDIATELY.
I call on President Thomas S. Monson to reverse this policy and permit licensed and trained Concealed Firearm Permit holders to carry in any and all LDS houses of worship.
I know he has armed bodyguards in attendance when he is in the Temple, the holiest of places for LDS members. He takes that precaution when he is in that place where only good-standing Mormons may go. Yet we have had crazy people rush in to them before, and threaten those inside. LDS Meetinghouses are far more common and far more accessible.
Personally, I never carried while in the Temple, but before the law went into effect I did carry up to the locker room in the Temple. I never felt the need to go beyond with a firearm. But as I said, LDS Meetinghouses are far more common and far more accessible.
If they are worried about accidents, this can be taken care of very simply.
If you are carrying a firearm, keep it on your person and under your control at all times.
If you have children, keep them under control.
Situation solved.
How many more must die before this POLICY will be reversed? In both of these cases, an armed and trained member might have been able to help. At least it would have given them a fighting chance.
God and Angels did not step in and intervene in these two shootings. It seems clear to me that God would expect us to do our best to take care of ourselves.
Please. President Monson. Give us that chance.