Guns explicitly banned inside Arizona Latter-day Saints churches (2024)

FAQs

Guns explicitly banned inside Arizona Latter-day Saints churches? ›

It implemented a new policy that prohibits all “lethal weapons” on church property. The new policy will apply to the more than 900 Latter-day Saints congregations in Arizona. Previously, the church called it “inappropriate” to bring weapons to church, with an exception for law enforcement officers.

Firearms and Weapons

Firearms and other lethal weapons are not allowed on Church property. This includes concealed weapons. This does not apply to current law enforcement officers.

There is no state statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

Illegal Arms

The following firearms are illegal to own in Arizona: Automatic weapons (Firearm capable of shooting one or more shots automatically without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger) Rifle with a barrel less than 16 inches. Shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches.

Gun Laws Overview

* Arizona respects the right of all U.S. citizens to carry a concealed handgun with or without a permit, or to carry openly while in this state. An Arizona resident permit can be obtained for the purposes of carrying concealed while in other states that offer recognition or reciprocity.

If ever there were a question about its stance toward guns in meetinghouses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has removed all doubt: Unlike visitors, firearms are not only not welcome, they are strictly forbidden.

In 2019, the church reinforced its ban on “guns” — unless carried by law enforcement officers — in its meetinghouses and temples. The current General Handbook continues that prohibition, stating that “firearms and other lethal weapons [including concealed weapons] are not allowed on church property.”

No firearms allowed

Pursuant to A.R.S. 4-229. Violators may be subject to citation/arrest by Gila River Police Department and have their firearm seized. Violators may be subject to being permanently trespassed from all Gila River Resorts & Casinos.

Arizona Stand Your Ground Laws

Arizona doesn't have a specific law titled "Stand Your Ground". However, ARS 13-405 and ARS 13-411 state that there is no duty to retreat before using physical force to prevent the commission of certain crimes, including burglary and robbery.

Open Carry of Firearms

Motivated by our desire to create a safe environment in our stores and clubs, we request that customers no longer openly carry firearms into Walmart or Sam's Club locations in states where open carry is permitted – unless they are authorized law enforcement.

Can you open carry an ar15 in Arizona? ›

Is Arizona an Open Carry State? Under Arizona law, it is legal to carry a gun in public as long as the gun is visible to others, and you are carrying it with lawful intent. However, the gun must be holstered—you cannot tuck the gun in your waistband or hold it in your hands.

Leading states for gun law strength in the U.S. 2024

California led the way in gun safety in the United States as of January 2024, with a composite score of 89.5 based on the presence of 50 key gun safety policies. New York followed, with a score of 83.5, while Illinois rounded out the top three with a score of 83.

According to Arizona's gun laws, most adults who are 21 years of age or older can legally carry a loaded handgun in their car. It does not matter if the gun is concealed or openly visible.

Mississippi. Mississippi has the weakest gun laws in the country and the highest gun death rate.

American civilians own 46% (approximately 393.3 million) of the world's 857 million civilian-use firearms. Montana has the highest amount of gun owners (66.3%). Wyoming has the most guns per capita, with 245.8 firearms for every 1,000 residents.

Mississippi has among the weakest gun laws in the country. The state has none of the foundational gun laws in place, and only a few policies total—having most recently repealed the requirement to get a permit before carrying a concealed handgun in public.

Utah prohibits the knowing and intentional transportation or possession of a firearm in a house of worship or private residence if the organization operating the house of worship or the person with lawful right of possession of the private residence has properly given notice that firearms are prohibited.

Church members believe God loves all of His children, regardless of what they look like. Previously existing tattoos will not prevent one from serving in the Church and receiving all of God's blessings.

Missionaries are admonished to "avoid all forms of worldly entertainment." Generally, they are not permitted to watch television, listen to the radio, watch or go to movies, or use the Internet (except to use email, and social media for their work, see Personal relationships above).

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve have declared that we discourage tattoos and also 'the piercing of the body for other than medical purposes. ' We do not, however, take any position 'on the minimal piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings'” (Ensign, Nov. 2000, 52).