White Evangelical Christianity and Concealed Handguns in the U.S.

This chapter examines the intersection of white evangelical Christianity and concealed handgun carry in the U.S., arguing that evangelicals construct their religious commitments in such a way as to promote gun carry. Using an analysis of online discourse, I argue that gun ownership and carry practices are co-constitutive with evangelical identities, particularly through commitments to evangelism, biblicism, dualistic thinking about the end of the world, and binary gender roles. While male ‘sheepdogs’ assume protector roles within churches by forming armed security teams, female gun influencers promote concealed carry through social media and fashion. Men justify their gun carry as a divine duty to defend their families and congregations, and women frame their concealed carry practices as an expression of empowerment within traditional gender roles. This study highlights the ways in which religious commitments, gender norms, and material practices intertwine to sustain and expand evangelical engagement with gun carry, providing insight into broader cultural narratives of religion and firearms.