Mormon leaders change rules against guns in church

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Most members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints already knew they were discouraged from taking their guns to church on Sunday. But it is making sure that message is crystal clear by tweaking the policy to prohibit all “lethal weapons.”

The previous policy called it “inappropriate” to have weapons on church property. It continues an exception for law enforcement officers.

The change comes one year after a fatal shooting inside one of its churches in rural Nevada and as religions around the country grapple with how to deal with gun violence that has spread to places of worship in recent years.

A spokesman confirmed Monday that the church policy handbook had been changed. The change was first discovered Saturday by a website that tracks church happenings.