History Main / GunsInChurch

* DeusEx: Certain areas will have a "No Weapons" sign when you enter them. Ignoring this sign will cause unarmed [=NPCs=] to panic, and armed ones to attack you.

* Subverted in ''TheLegendOfZelda: Ocarina of Time''. Link cannot draw his sword in Castle Town.

* Subverted In the ''K-9'' sequel ''K-9-11'', James Belushi's character gets into a discussion with his boss about the kind of sidearms he carries while on the job, at the same time brandishing each handgun in succession. His boss urges him to put them away several times.
** Later on in the same movie, while at the park, when he mistakes a toy gun for a real one, he pulls out his own. This prompts his partner/rival's dog to charge him and bite his arm, dropping the gun from his hands.
* In ''TheWeatherMan'', Nicolas Cage's character takes up archery as a hobby. At the end of the movie, he is seen carrying a bow over his shoulder as he walks down the city streets. In closing narration, he acknowledges that it might be why people don't throw things at him from their cars anymore.
* According to [[http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-05-nuclear-football_x.htm this USA Today article]], the nuclear football once entered St. John's Church.

* Europeans seem to think that this is the [[EagleLand norm everywhere in America]].
** In most States in the US, it is illegal to walk around wearing guns openly, but is legal to carry a concealed firearm. If, however, you draw a gun without a good reason—"good reason" meaning you are either at a shooting range or actively being attacked—you will be arrested, charged with various crimes including reckless endangerment, and you may ''completely'' lose the right to bear arms. Private property owners also have the right to forbid weapons on their property.
*** This really depends on where you are and what kind of gun. Going into a supermarket with a pistol strapped to your waist will probably at least get odd looks even in Texas (even if they're just wondering why you don't conceal it like everyone else - but in metro areas probably the cops will be alerted). Walking down a country road with a .22 over your shoulder will probably garner no more than an offer for a ride to the creek where you plan to go shooting.
**** Texas law forbids the carrying of an openly displayed firearm in public. If you want to carry in Texas, you need a concealed weapons permit and the firearm cannot be showing. On the other hand, carrying openly in Kentucky is likely to get attention only in the most metropolitan areas and even then police will just politely ask the carrier not to carry openly if possible due to the risk of an alarmed citizen wasting police time with a report of a "man with a gun".
** A lot of people seem to think this is the case in [[EverythingIsBigInTexas Texas]]. It's true that Texas gun laws are not strict when it comes to the purchasing and possession of firearms for an ordinary citizen who is not a convicted felon. But there are plenty of limitations on where you can carry, even if you have a concealed handgun license.
*** Which is amusing to some, as in certain areas of Massachusetts, there are artifact laws requiring you to bring a gun to church (Danvers and Salem, I believe), that are unenforced, and in Vermont, you can carry a concealed firearm nearly anywhere, including ''inside a state building,'' but not public K-12 schools.
** Admittedly played 110% terrifyingly straight in a Colorado church in 2007, when two people carrying GunsInChurch prevented a third (who had apparently chained the other doors shut and was in the only available escape path) from turning the house of worship into an abbatoir.
** Ironically, there a few places in Europe where this approaches the truth - In Switzerland, you may sometimes find men doing their military service travelling by train and carrying their (unloaded) assault rifles with them. Civilians doing rifle shooting might also carry their assault rifles with them to the range. Still, you won't generally find anyone carrying guns publicly unless it's for the two reasons mentioned (policemen and border guards excepted).
* There's a joke about how Israel is the safest country in the world because it's the only place where a group of young men can walk into a bank carrying guns and be expected to wait in line (soldiers carry their guns with them when on leave). This troper was actually in a bank/post office when this happened and nobody paid them any attention (although they had had to show military ID to bring them in).

* TruthInTelevision. While churches have a very long history of being sanctuaries where you're not permitted to bring a holstered and concealed weapon, there have been been cases of police officers interrupting mass or sermons ''with drawn guns'' and not understanding what people are so upset about.
** I remember reading a story about a pastor who actually encouraged his congregation to bring their guns to church.
*** The exact phrase used for this sort of situation (at least in Texas) is ".22s for Jesus". Of course we all know that the Lord would prefer to [[BlackLagoon use a Jericho]], but that gets into a completely different debate all together.
** Louisiana recently passed a law allowing people to carry firearms in church. It prompted a lot of snarky comments.
** Generally from folks who hadn't read the law in question. Not only do you have to have a Concealed Handgun License, but you also have to have permission from the pastor/priest/rabbi/imam/etc, and to be a member of a volunteer security group for that church.
* In the otherwise forgettable video game for Star Wars: Episode I, Qui-Gon could not draw his lightsaber in Mos Eisley without putting the whole town on alert.
** If we are thinking about the same game, I remember that the shopkeepers would comment on you having your lightsaber out.
* In StarWarsJediOutcast at the start of the Nar Shaddaa level, the game stops you from drawing any weapons or using any Force powers, mainly because Kyle is trying to keep a low profile. When he enters a cantina, his pistol is immediately confiscated, yet he is allowed to keep his lightsabre (although the game still won't let you activate until the action begins).
* In KnightsOfTheOldRepublic and its sequel, you can go anywhere, anytime with any weapon clearly visible in your hands, even Manaan, a planet under very strict pascifist rule. There is a moment on Tatooine in a cantina where the barkeep tell you not to use blasters inside, but he still seems okay with you waving one or two around.

* TheElderScrolls games vary. In Arena and Daggerfall nobody notices you pointing your Daedric Longsword at them in a threatening manner. In Morrowind and Oblivion, however, keeping your weapon drawn while talking to people will result in barely noticable disposition penalties.
* In LegoStarWars, attacking anyone (friend, foe, droid, or neutral party) in the hubs will set off a bar brawl in which you can actually take damage and die.
* Part RuleOfFunny, part TakeThat. One {{Peanuts}} strip had Snoopy renewing his dog licence. He also gets a driving permit and a fishing licence, but according to the people in the government building, he didn't need one for the assault rifle he'd brought with (presumably in HammerSpace).
* TruthInTelevision in much of the US, where concealed-weapons permits are easy to obtain. May not count as this trope since they're...well...concealed.
** And even so, even those can be banned from certain places, such as schools, government buildings, and some private businesses. Interestingly enough, many gun shops in the US (which often contain an attached shooting range and offer gunsmith services so you can get your weapon fixed) will have a strict rule concerning concealed or holstered weapons: They STAY that way while you are in the store. If you want to have the gunsmith look at the weapon, or if you want to use the shooting range, you walk in with the weapon out where they can see it. This way [[FridgeBrilliance you pulling the weapon out won't be misconstrued as you drawing a gun to rob the place or shoot someone.]]
*** Gunshop carry rules are also often in place to prevent incidents of negligent discharge in the "trying out holsters" situation (Holsters come in all manner of designs to accommodate differing body types and carry positions. Quality holsters can be expensive, and carrying a 4lb chunk of metal on your body in a poorly-fitting holster can be very uncomfortable, making "try before you buy" a good idea in holster selection if you're not independently wealthy).
** Depends highly on the state. Usually concealed carry states forbid bars and schools. The federal government also doesn't like it in most federal institutions, so Courthouses and such are off limits. The VA actively sends police officers to check on every admitted patient. Federal lands are a mixed bag, as hunting in national parks and national forests is a big debate.
** And then, some states have open-carry laws which don't require any permit so long as the weapon is worn in plain sight. Federal property restrictions still apply and private property owners can forbid them, but as long as you can legally possess a weapon it's okay. '''Don't assume or take anyone's word that your state allows open carry - Check your local laws first.'''
* In ''{{Kill Bill}}'', the Bride carries a katana onto a trans-oceanic flight and through the airport without trouble. Shots seem to suggest that ''everyone'' on the flight has a katana though.
* Despite being under Norwegian sovereignty, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard Svalbard]] allows everyone to carry rifles openly (although there are some rules on how to carry them in populated areas). Why? Because of [[EverythingIsWorseWithBears Polar Bears.]]
** To be fair, [[HisDarkMaterials Svalbard polar bears are]] {{Proud Warrior Race Guy}}s clad head to toe in MeteoricIron, so...
* The Hitman series of games takes this trope and tosses it off a cliff. If you carry ANY weapon that isn't concealed whilst wearing your default outfit, you will blow your cover and all hell will break loose, with the exception of one level in the entire series (so far), however if you have a guards uniform on things get a bit more relaxed, you can carry two handed weapons, however you can only carry them underslung, and they have to be standard issue to guards/security/gang members. (So if the guards are armed with SMG's, you can't be carrying around a gatling gun), carrying them "at the ready" is still allowed, but far more suspicious, but don't even THINK about aiming. Interestingly even if an alert has been raised, you can only ever have pistols concealed, even if other guards are running around pseudo-aiming, if you draw yours you will be fired upon the moment you are spotted.
* Aversion in {{Fable}}: When you enter Bowerstone, a guard will confiscate your weapons until you leave again. Played straight everywhere else, but "everywhere else" is a lot of small hamlets and the townspeople will still freak out if you actually draw a weapon.

* Literal non-VideoGame example: in ''AdventuresOfHuckleberryFinn'', the [[FeudingFamilies Shepardsons and the Grangerfords]] take their rifles everywhere, including church on Sunday.

** And throughout Fallout 1 and 2 there are several places where people will tell you to put your guns away, before they allow you to talk to them or walk into the town.

* Avoidance of this is an actual play element of NoOneLivesForever, as civilians are less than cooperative when Cate is brandishing, so use of quiet weapons and timely holstering are both necessary when in public levels.

* Used twice in the 3rd Dirty Harry movie. First he chases a suspect into a church and has him at gunpoint when the minister gets pissed (then his partner kicks the door open with her gun drawn). Later he returns to the church to question the minister about someone in connection to the kidnapping (and potential murder) of the mayor and ends up drawing his gun when the minister refuses to talk. As Harry is dealing with that a woman dressed as a nun tries to shoot him with a shotgun, only for Harry's partner to show up and shoot the nun.

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* DeusEx: Certain areas will have a "No Weapons" sign when you enter them. Ignoring this sign will cause unarmed NPCs to panic, and armed ones to attack you.

** Keep in mind that even after the weapon crackdown between ME1 and ME2, Shepard is still allowed to walk around the Citadel with a mini-nuke on his/her back.

* While taking a gun out while in a fight or police chase will get you shot at, feel free to walk down a street in [[GrandTheftAuto Liberty City or San Andreas]] with an assault rifle and not get even a second look from a police officer.
** An aversion, however, appears in ''GrandTheftAutoIV'', where walking into a strip club with a weapon out will get you attacked by the bouncers.

** In most States in the US, it is legal to walk around wearing guns openly. If, however, you draw a gun without a good reason—"good reason" meaning you are either at a shooting range or actively being attacked—you will be arrested, charged with various crimes including reckless endangerment, and you may ''completely'' lose the right to bear arms. Private property owners also have the right to forbid weapons on their property.

** Another aversion in [[GrandTheftAuto Vice City Stories]], where entering into the airport automatically strips you of all your weapons.

** Also played mostly straight in the sequels even Bowerstone.

* In ''VampireTheMasqueradeRedemption'', your characters could walk around in full tactical armour brandishing RPGs and flamethrowers, and police, store owners and private citizens didn't bat an eye (in NYC this was bad enough but London?). Just don't get caught [[KissOfTheVampire necking with someone in an alleyway]]...

* Averted in the UK, where handguns aren't allowed, at all. So when a French cop working in St Pancras station for the international customs office (they have French cops on the British side and vice-versa) forgot to take her gun out of her holster when she walked across to the non-international section of the station to buy lunch, she got in ''serious'' trouble.

* Mostly averted in ''MassEffect'', as being a Spectre allows Shepard to go around armed wherever s/he pleases. There are a couple of exceptions where guards try to confiscate your weapons, i.e. the guards as Noveria and Purgatory, and one specific mission in ''MassEffect 2'' requires Shepard to go around unarmed, while another restricts Shepard to just his/her sidearm at a formal dinner party where only concealed sidearms are allowed.

** Ironically, there a few places in Europe where this approaches the truth - In Switzerland, going grocery shopping with an assault rifle on your back is perfectly normal, as long as its unloaded.

* The Hitman series of games takes this trope and tosses it off a cliff. If you carry ANY weapon that isn't concealed whilst wearing your default outfit, you will blow your cover and all hell will break loose, with the exception of one level in the entire series (so far), however if you have a guards uniform on things get a bit more relaxed, you can carry two handed weapons, however you can only carry them underslung, and they have to be standard issue to guards/security/gang members. (So if the guards are armed with SMG's, you can't be carrying around a gattling gun), carrying them "at the ready" is still allowed, but far more suspicious, but don't even THINK about aiming. Interestingly even if an alert has been raised, you can only ever have pistols concealed, even if other guards are running around pseudo-aiming, if you draw your's you will be fired upon the moment you are spotted.

* Used twice in the 3rd Dirty Harry movie. First he chases a suspect into a church and has him at gunpoint when the minister gets pissed (then his partner kicks the door open with her gun drawn). Later he returns to the church to question the minister about someone in connection to the kidnapping (and potential murder) of the mayor and ends up drawing his gun when the minister refuses to talk. As Harry is dealing with that a woman dressed as a nun tries to shoot him with a shotgun, only for Harry's partner to show up and shoot the nun.

* In ''VampireTheMasqueradeRedemption'', your characters could walk around in full tactical armour brandishing RPGs and flamethrowers, and police, store owners and private citizens didn't bat an eye (in NYC this was bad enough but London?). Just don't get caught [[KissOfTheVampire necking with someone in an alleyway]]...

* The Hitman series of games takes this trope and pulls it's pants down in front of the school assembely. If you carry ANY weapon that isn't concealed whilst wearing your default outfit, you will blow your cover and all hell will break loose, with the exception of one level in the entire series (so far), however if you have a guards uniform on things get a bit more relaxed, you can carry two handed weapons, however you can only carry them underslung, and they have to be standard issue to guards/security/gang members. (So if the guards are armed with SMG's, you can't be carrying around a gattling gun), carrying them "at the ready" is still allowed, but far more suspicious, but don't even THINK about aiming. Interestingly even if an alert has been raised, you can only ever have pistols concealed, even if other guards are running around pseudo-aiming, if you draw your's you will be fired upon the moment you are spotted.

* ''CaveStory''. No NPC will ever mind if you test your weapons inside their house. Not even [[UltimateBlacksmith Hermit Gunsmith]] while sleeping.

* Avoidance of this is an actual play element of NoOneLivesForever, as civilians are less than cooperative when Cate is brandishing, so use of quiet weapons and timely holstering are both necessary when in public levels.

Some weapons (such as rifles, large machine guns, and ArmCannons) can't be sheathed/holstered, and due to context, the trope is often averted by necessity. If you are a soldier, then chances are, not only do you play the trope straight, but you're actually better off for it. The same does not hold true for an average white-collar office drone walking down the street holding a claymore.

* Being unarmed in the world of ''{{Fallout}}'' is generally a bad idea. There are, however two notable exceptions: The New California Republic in ''Fallout 2'' doesn't allow drawn guns within the city (they have a police force, after all) and [[IJustShotMarvinInTheFace waving you gun in someone else's face]] will penalize speech checks in ''Fallout 3''.