At the February 2025 PPC Meeting, Emanuel’s leaders discussed and approved a Weapons Policy for Emanuel. The entire weapons policy is listed below:
EMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH WEAPONS POLICY
PURPOSE
Emanuel Lutheran Church is focused on the spirituality, love, and the enlightening of service for a risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Emanuel Lutheran Church strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment to all individuals committed to serving a risen Savior.
As we say, God with us, Loving Christ, Loving others.
We believe that our Church should be a safe place of worship and fellowship, free of weapons and related distractions. We also acknowledge that certain exceptions are necessary in this day and age so as to mitigate any and all immediate and life-threatening danger to the clergy, staff, members or visitors in the unlikely event of an attack by an active shooter or any individual with malicious intent.
GENERAL STATEMENTS
Except with regard to specific exceptions which may be set forth later in this policy, Emanuel Lutheran Church prohibits weapons of any type on it’s property and at any and all Church related events. This provision includes any and all activities. This general statement will include and not limited to any form of weapon or firearm, dangerous ordinances, hazardous material, devices, and any item that could be a life-threatening device.
This policy shall apply to any and all Emanuel Lutheran Church pastors, members, employees as well as any contractors, vendors and visitors. Anyone with a weapon will be requested to leave the premises, with a welcome to return without the prohibited item that may be in question. The Pastors or Parish Planning Council may decline any future attendance or usage of the church property to an individual or group in violation of this policy.
Individuals who are members of a military unit, honor guard or similar group would be exempted from this policy if they receive permission from Emanuel Lutheran Church Pastor to participate in a ceremonial function. Furthermore, to mitigate any immediate and present danger to life to those on the property of Emanuel Lutheran Church, the Parish Planning Council may allow the possession of a concealed weapon only under limiting conditions as may be defined.
INTENT
The intent of Emanuel Lutheran Church is for this policy to be more restrictive than what is provided under Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.12, Carrying concealed weapons. Emanuel Lutheran Church does permit active and retired law enforcement personnel, authorized security company personnel contracted for special events with prior approval. Certain members of Emanuel Lutheran Church who have been approved by the Executive Committee in writing may also be approved for conceal carry.
DEFINITION OF WEAPONS AND THE EMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH PROPERTY
Weapons are to be considered items that are intended to threaten and/or cause bodily harm, including, yet not limited to weapons, firearms, any type of explosive device, taser, knives with a blade length longer than two inches, throwing stars, nun chucks, nightsticks or items of similar nature.
Kitchen knives used in the course of food service are exempt from this notice.
Emanuel Lutheran Church property is to include all buildings, outbuildings, parking lots, playgrounds, lawn areas where Church activities are normally held.
Private vehicles are exempt from the scope of this policy as long as any weapon as defined above is properly secured within the vehicle while the vehicle is parked at Emanuel Lutheran Church.
SPECIFIC CONTROLS
As noted, Emanuel Lutheran Church hereby adopts a policy that prohibits individuals from carrying or possessing weapons on its property unless they are specifically authorized to do so under the following conditions.
LEVEL 1:
Current active law enforcement officers who are visiting and/or worshipping at Emanuel Lutheran Church. They area requested to but not required to notify the Pastor.
If the current law enforcement officer chooses to carry a concealed weapon, they are encouraged to assist with any mitigation of an active shooter or life-threatening event.
LEVEL 2:
Retired law enforcement officers who are visiting and/or worshipping at Emanuel Lutheran Church. They are requested to but not required to notify the Pastor.
If a retired law enforcement officer chooses to carry a concealed weapon, they are encouraged to assist with any mitigation of an active shooter or life-threatening event.
Any current or retired law enforcement officer is required to maintain possession of any concealed weapon at all times.
LEVEL 3:
Any employee of a security company that may be contracted to provide security for Emanuel Lutheran Church must adhere to this policy and provide the security company weapon policy to the Pastor and/or Executive Committee prior to providing security.
LEVEL 4:
Emanuel Lutheran Church members may be permitted to conceal carry only after approved by the Pastor and Executive Committee. The Church member being granted this approval must also prove competence in safety, handling and discharging any weapon they are requesting to conceal carry. Any Ohio Revised Code or local ordinance must also be understood prior to approval.
Any person or persons listed under LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, LEVEL 3 or LEVEL 4 who does not adhere to this policy as provided and signed by that person shall not be permitted to conceal carry on Emanuel Lutheran Church property as defined in this policy.
Any person or persons who does not adhere to this policy as approved, accepts full responsibility and the liability for their actions.
ENFORCEMENT OF THIS POLICY
To ensure that weapons and any prohibited items are not present or in possession of anyone within the property and/or activities of Emanuel Lutheran Church and if a reasonable suspicion of possession occurs, Emanuel Lutheran Church Pastor, Congregation President, door attendant or other authorized person shall have the right to inspect but not limited to packages, purses, backpacks, lunch bags so as to ensure the safety of the Church.
COMMUNICATION OF POLICY
This policy shall be available at all times at the Church office during normal business hours. This policy shall also be available on the Emanuel Lutheran Church website. This policy shall become a part of the Church policy and procedures.
RECORD KEEPING
Emanuel Lutheran Church Office will maintain a copy of this agreement and a signed original for any person that request permission to adhere to the policy as adopted by the Parish Planning Council.
POLICY CHANGES AND REVIEW
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Parish Planning Council every year in order to maintain a current and updated policy regarding firearms or any other weapon for personal carry.
Follow Us!