Ky. Pastor Holds Guns-In-Church Service

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - Some gun owners proudly wore their weapons into a Louisville, Ky., church Saturday. The "Bring Your Gun to Church Day" was an idea to celebrate guns and God.

Brian Thomas, like others at the church was in compliance with Kentucky law as he wore his 1911 Springfield Operator on his belt -- openly. He brought his family to join about 125 other gun owners to celebrate their second amendment rights inside New Bethel Assembly of God Church.

"They go together ... you need to protect yourself and God would want you to protect yourself," said Thomas. "Unfortunately in this day and time, a firearm is an efficient way to protect yourself."

Cliff Meadows knows that first hand. In 1998, he shot and wounded a bank robber who had pointed a gun at him. Police found the shooting was justifiable under Kentucky self-defense and concealed carry laws. At the service he carried a Kimber .45.

"They want to keep outlawing guns or ammunition or make the process so we can't afford them," said Meadows. "It's the illegal ones we got to worry about, not the responsible ones."

Leaders at New Bethel Assembly of God Church thought a "Bring Your Gun to Church Day" might attract new people to the congregation. Those who brought their firearms had to keep them unloaded and in the holster. Police officers checked people at the door.

Rev. Ken Pagano, pastor of the church, said the idea was "creative thinking" mixed with worries about new gun control laws under the Obama administration.

"We find that not unbiblical. What we're doing is not illegal," said Rev. Pagano. "This is something the Commonwealth of Kentucky says we can do, and it's nothing unconstitutional."

The church raffled off safety lessons, a concealed carry class and also a brand new handgun. The person who won the new handgun was a Jefferson county sheriff's deputy.

During the service, Rev. Pagano described his church "as the safest place in Louisville." And he asked "why should we have to act like we have to apologize for this?"