Ken Pagano, pastor of New Bethel Church in Louisville, Kentucky, talks about the importance of gun safety, which will be discussed at the "Open Carry Church Service" on June 27. Photo by AP.
New Bethel Church is welcoming "responsible handgun owners" to wear their firearms inside the church on June 27, the Saturday that precedes the Fourth of July holiday.
An ad says there will be a handgun raffle, patriotic music and information on gun safety.
Church pastor Ken Pagano says guns must be unloaded and private security will check visitors. He says recent church shootings make it necessary to promote safe gun ownership.
Marian McClure Taylor is executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches.
She says churches work to prevent violent harm and promote peace, but most "allow for arms to be taken up under certain conditions."
