PA Bill Number: HB2663
Title: Providing for older adults protective services; and making a repeal.
Description: Providing for older adults protective services; and making a repeal. ...
Last Action: Referred to AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES
Last Action Date: Nov 19, 2024
South Carolina Self-Defense: Remember This? SC Concealed Carrier Stops Mass Shooting During Church Service. No Casualties. :: 07/08/2015
Following the horrific events that took place in Charleston, SC earlier this week, there has been significant talk about how to prevent further mass shootings at churches. Some of the debate has been centered around increased gun control while some has focused on better security and concealed carry inside of churches.
Here is an interesting data point that we might want to consider as the debate continues. Back in March of 2012, a possible mass shooting during a church service was actually stopped by a concealed carrying member of the congregation.
Jesse Gates showed up acting erratically at Boiling Springs’ South Side Freewill Baptist Church. That church is also in South Carolina just over 200 miles northwest from the scene of Wednesday night’s heinous crimes.
Gates told the pastor to call the local news. That was a pretty big tip off for the pastor, who instead of the news, called 911. The sheriff’s office came out, checked Gates out, and told him to leave the premises, but could not arrest him for anything at that time.
Later that morning, during Sunday services, Gates showed up again. Fortunately, the pastor’s grandson, Aaron Guyton, age 26, saw Gates getting a shotgun out of his truck and took action. Guyton managed to get inside of the main church building and lock the doors.
“At that point, I knew I had to do something,” Aaron Guyton said to local media following the incident. “I wanted to try to contain him outside.”
However, the doors did not stop Gates. He kicked open a side door and burst into the service mid-sermon wielding a shotgun. Before Gates could act, Guyton, a concealed carrier, drew his pistol and ordered Gates to stop at gunpoint. At that point, other members of the congregation were able to restrain Gates.
The 71 year old pastor then used a chair to climb over the front of the pulpit, marched over and picked up the shotgun.
Gates faced charges of second-degree burglary (violent), disturbing a place of worship, kidnapping and three counts of pointing and presenting a firearm.
Gates was a convicted felon at the time of the incident and was barred from owning or possessing guns and ammo. Those restrictions did little to dissuade Gates.
“We’re very fortunate we didn’t have gruesome scenes to work there,” Sheriff Chuck Wright said. “I like the fact that a concealed weapons permit holder was prepared to protect the worshippers.”
Gates was later found incompetent to stand trial. Gates’ sister ended up spending several months in jail after being arrested as an accessory in the case as she provided Gates with the shotgun and drove him to the church.
