Priest invites parishioners to bring guns to church to celebrate Independence Day

An American pastor has invited his parishioners to bring their guns to church to celebrate America's Independence Day, in a show of support for the right to bear arms.

Former US Marine, Pastor Ken Pagano of New Bethel Church of Louisville, Kentucky said the church would celebrate the Fourth of July and "our rights as Americans".

Rev Pagano said he wanted responsible handgun owners to attend this service openly wearing their sidearm, on 27 June, the Saturday preceding Independence Day. The move would be symbolic, however: the firearms must be unloaded and in a secure holster. The priest said he would also invite gun shop owners to attend the service in order to tell about their services.



There would be patriotic music along with a presentation about the right of Americans to own firearms, including military-style automatic machine guns. Some gun advocates fear the Obama administration wants to ban the sale of automatic weapons.

Rev Pagano said guns must be unloaded and private security will check visitors. Recent church shootings make it necessary to promote safe gun ownership he said.

Marian McClure Taylor is executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches said that while churches work to prevent violent harm and promote peace, most "allow for arms to be taken up under certain conditions."