Guns explicitly banned inside Arizona Latter-day Saints churches

PHOENIX — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is asking members to leave their guns at home.

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.

Daniel Woodruff, a spokesman for the Latter-day Saints church, said in a statement to KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday that the church policy handbook had been changed to reflect the new policy.

“Churches are dedicated for the worship of God and as havens from the cares and concerns of the world,” the handbook states. “With the exception of current law enforcement officers, the carrying of lethal weapons on Church property, concealed or otherwise, is prohibited.”

Woodruff said guns are among the lethal weapons that are prohibited.

“This handbook update took effect the first week of August and will be formally communicated to local church leaders as new meetinghouse safety guidelines in the near future,” he said. “Those leaders will then be responsible for sharing those guidelines with their members.”

The change comes a year after a fatal shooting inside a Latter-day Saints church in rural Nevada that left one man dead and his brother wounded.

It also comes just before Texas’ new law allowing firearms in places of worship goes into effect on September 1. Woodruff said a letter referencing the church’s new policy was sent to state leaders in Texas.

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