The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will no longer permit anyone except police officers to bring firearms into churches.
The previous policy, which referred to guns in churches as “inappropriate,” now prohibits “the carrying of lethal weapons on Church property, concealed or otherwise,” according to multiple reports.
“Churches are dedicated for the worship of God and as havens from the cares and concerns of the world,” the new policy says.
The new revision is being communicated to members in Texas first.
Latter-day Saint leaders sent a letter to bishops in Texas because that state permits open and concealed carry of firearms in places of worship unless congregants are told otherwise by their church.
The policy change will be communicated to members across the rest of the country over the next week.
The church previously restricted firearms in Utah meetinghouses in 2004. It has not taken an official stand on gun control, though.
Latter-day Saints are among the most politically conservative religious groups in the United States, and close to 70% identify as, or lean, Republican. Over 60% consider themselves conservative.
Over 85% of Latter-day Saints favor background checks on gun purchases, but a slight majority are against an assault weapons ban. Just over 50% support making it easier to obtain a concealed-carry permit.
