[Woody Jones]

How many of you carry in Lodge? I have for quite a while and it's not because of any real fear of my Brethren, but I am concerned about some fanatic entering (without making the usual alarm) and wreaking havoc. The Tyler's sword will not be enough to protect us and this world is getting more dangerous every day, even in small towns. The Grand Lodge of Florida introduced legislation last year that would have made it against regulations to have a weapon anywhere on Lodge property, but it was soundly defeated.

 

[RRTX11]

+1 in Texas. 25% or more brethren in lodge CCW.

 

[wrenrj1]

CW4 Jones:

What is in Lodge? Sorry for my ignorance, am I assuming it's carrying in a religious building?

Thanks for your service!

Wren (SFC, NE ARNG, ret.)

 

[Toorop]

Think of it as carrying during a fraternity meeting. If you were in a college fraternity and were CCWing there. (It is perfectly legal as lodges are not on college campuses and on private property as well as there is not going to be any drinking or drug use). I don't really know how to explain it better.

Travel light to all of my brothers on here and fraternal greetings.

 

[Bilbo Baggins]

most of the Grand Lodges I know about do not allow ANY weapons to be brough into the lodge. Hell our local Sherriff is a member and even in uniform he is required not to be armed in lodge.

 

[leadbutt]

When I sat Lodge years ago, I would say about 50-50 on the carry, it was still governed by WW-2 and Korea Vets and every meeting was at lest Sport Coat and slacks, the eldest senior warden we had packed a Colt SAA with a 3 1/2 barrel, If I where to return I would still pack

 

[Hyksos]

I'm Tyler of my lodge, in Florida. The motion at Grand Lodge to ban firearms was soundly defeated, and I agree 100% with that. I CCW in lodge, especially during stated communications when I am Tiling.

 

[Woody Jones]

I can see that (unsurprisingly) just about everybody here agrees that it is prudent and not unmasonic to CCW in Lodge. Hyksos, I was at the Grand Communication when that legislation was brought up---soundly defeated is an understatement...

 

[Batesmotel]

What is in Lodge?

"In Lodge" refers to when the Lodge is "open" or the time when the meeting is actually taking place. Masons can be in a lodge building and not be "In Lodge" because a meeting is not taking place at that time. We are very formal about when meetings start and stop.

 

[Hyksos]

I can see that (unsurprisingly) just about everybody here agrees that it is prudent and not unmasonic to CCW in Lodge. Hyksos, I was at the Grand Communication when that legislation was brought up---soundly defeated is an understatement...

I was not there unfortunately, I couldn't make it. Aside from what you said, the only other time I heard about this motion was from http://www.freemasonnetwork.org

It's hosted by the Scottish Rite Supreme Council, it's basically a facebook for masons only. You must be confirmed before your account is activated.

Anyway, I read some stuff on there regarding the legislation, but I don't know exactly what it said or how it was responded to. Some of the South Florida Brothers who are transplants from the Northeast might have objected to the carrying of guns in lodge, but the North Florida brethren surely would have NONE of that. I can't tell you how many guns I saw when I was Entered, Passed, and Raised at Gainesville #41.

 

[dooga]

My home Blue Lodge and my Scottish Rite Lodge are both in DC; otherwise I would.

 

[Chuck66]

In both states where I belong, it's forbidden by the Grand Lodge to carry in the lodge. I don't care for that regulation, but it is there. Some feel it is an interpretation of the words "nothing of an offensive or defensive nature" shall be carried into the lodge. Some feel it's all political.

I'm not clear on why it is the way it is in either state, but I know that in the lodge where I'm an officer, a solid 90% of the officers and instructors and active membership have carry permits, and none of us ever bring a weapon into the lodge room(and make it known, or have been discovered), and only on a couple of occasions has someone brought one into the dining hall to show to another brother. It's been discussed several times and the agreement always is to abide by the Grand Lodge's edict and not allow carry or ignore the rule.

 

[deputy tom]

In both states where I belong, it's forbidden by the Grand Lodge to carry in the lodge. I don't care for that regulation, but it is there. Some feel it is an interpretation of the words "nothing of an offensive or defensive nature" shall be carried into the lodge. Some feel it's all political.

I'm not clear on why it is the way it is in either state, but I know that in the lodge where I'm an officer, a solid 90% of the officers and instructors and active membership have carry permits, and none of us ever bring a weapon into the lodge room(and make it known, or have been discovered), and only on a couple of occasions has someone brought one into the dining hall to show to another brother. It's been discussed several times and the agreement always is to abide by the Grand Lodge's edict and not allow carry or ignore the rule.

^^ Same in my Lodge.We had a lock box for years and everyone except the Tyler put their guns into it.Other Lodges had no lock box so we stuck them in the Secretay's desk.At one particular meeting the Secretary didn't know this and when we went to retrieve our guns after the meeting he threw a fit.Oh,well.We weren't packing in the "open Lodge".tom.