"I am Christian and I Carry"

Luke 22:35-37 And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, Nothing." Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end."

Christians Targeted

On October 1, 2015 a tragic massacre was perpetrated on the campus of Umpqua Community College in Oregon. Victims were asked to identify their faith. Those who said they were Christian were summarily executed with a bullet to the head. Those who did not profess faith in Jesus Christ were shot in the lower extremities. Before the smoke cleared nine innocent folk had been shot died (not all who died were Christian) and nine more wounded. As usual in these mass shootings, the cowardly assassin took his own life as soon as he met an armed response.

Mathew Downing who was spared by the shooter recalls the most chilling scene:

"The shooter asked one of the other students to stand up and when he did, asked him if he was religious. The student said he was Christian and was shot. This continued with another person, who acknowledged he was Catholic, but wasn't sure if he believed in an afterlife. He was shot too." CNN News

The President Speaks

As facts came in the nation seemed to hold its breath until, even before the dead were identified, President Barrack Obama appear in a televised speech announcing he would be politicizing these horrific, execution style murders. The President renewed his call for the passage of more gun laws.
The President made no mention that Christians had been executed for their faith.

Enough is Enough

The next day I could not stop think about the shooting. I kept thinking "enough is enough". America is turning its back on Christians. Christianity can't be mentioned in any government functions and is banned from our schools and places of employment. Even at Christmas for fear of offending, many businesses no longer mention Jesus Christ. I have even read about folk protesting because they didn't want the baby Jesus in a Christmas play!
Now Christians are being singled out for execution (also see the Charleston Church Shootings. NBC NEW Charleston Church Shooting

A Brave Stand

This is when I read that Tennessee Lt Governor Ron Ramsay had bravely taken a stand against the slaughter of unarmed people and Christians.:

"While this is not the time for widespread panic, it is a time to prepare.... I would encourage my fellow Christians who are serious about their faith to think about getting a handgun carry permit. I have always believed that it is better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it....Our enemies are armed. We must do likewise." The Tennessean

We Should Be Prepared

Nehemiah 4:14 ...fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

I thought, Lt. Gov. Ramsey is right! Christians should be prepared by carrying a handgun and as the owner of Frontier Firearms, I could help. This is when I decided to offer a discount to Christian in order to achieve these goals:

Let Christians know that despite the growing opposition and hostility to Christianity around in the USA and around the world in my store they are respected and welcome,
Help Christians obtain a firearm.
Give Christians an opportunity to openly profess their faith and receive a small reward rather than a bullet in the head.

Facebook Ad

So I posted the ad you see here on Facebook.
Almost immediately countless Christians posted expressions of support.

A Storm Blows In

Then a local television station, WVLT Channel 8, Knoxville TN came to my gun store and filmed a story. Within 24 hours the story had gone national. See the story here: Local 8 WVLT TV Gun store offering discount for Christians
That's when the storm began and our Facebook page blew up. On one side folk were supportive but on the other side people were going nuts. Many, even after I assured them no one would be denied a discount during the sale, were threatening lawsuits for discrimination. Christians and atheists alike quoted out-of-context Bible verses to condemn me for suggesting Christians should even own much less and carry a handgun.

Many Claimed Offense

I engaged many of the folks who were objecting and discovered they fell into the following groups:

Liberals and progressive who hate firearms
Liberals, progressives and atheists who seem to hate Christianity if not Christians
Atheists who love guns but hate Christianity.
Christians who hate guns.
Christians who do not hate guns but misunderstand scripture (especially Matthew 5:9 "turn the other cheek" and / or the commandment "thou shall not kill (murder) Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17)

Yet Support Was Great

I was receiving calls from all around the country from folks who were supportive and said more Christians should stand up and be heard.

ChristianCarryPins.com is born

That's when I had the idea for a tasteful pin Christians could wear that told other Christians were they stood.