Wylie Drake Takes Gun Issue to Pulpit : Congregation Hears Pastor’s Case for Concealed Weapon

The Rev. Wiley Drake took the pulpit Sunday with an unusual question for his flock: “When Should God’s People Pick Up Weapons to Defend Themselves and God’s Work?”

America is becoming more and more dangerous, and therefore “we must arm ourselves,” Drake told about 75 churchgoers at First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park during a 40-minute sermon aimed at justifying his application to carry a concealed weapon.

Since his desire to carry a gun became public, Drake said, “people come to me and say, ‘You don’t trust God?’ Yes, I do. But there’s a bunch of crooks out there.”

Drake, an outspoken advocate of the homeless, says he wants to carry a gun to protect himself against some of the people he tries to help. Drake said he owns two guns--a .38-caliber pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun--which he keeps in a locked case in his home.

He is one of a record number of applicants seeking permission from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to carry a concealed weapon.

In his application, Drake said death threats and assaults have made him fear for his life at his church, where he shelters hundreds of homeless people every year over the protests of neighbors.

Sunday, some of the people the church shelters said they had no objection to their pastor carrying a gun.

“I am a big gun advocate,” said Bill Murray, a homeless man who eats and sleeps at a shelter behind the church. “If I still had my pistol, I’d still be carrying it.”

But some of the people Drake helps fear for their own lives.

“It sounds like he’s turning against us,” said Alice Lewis, a homeless woman who has been staying at the shelter since March. “I’ve never heard of a minister who has a gun.”

Catherine Mullin, who also has been living at the shelter since March, agreed.

“I don’t think he should have a gun around,” she said. “It’s dangerous.”

High-Profile Confrontations

Drake has taken controversial stands before. He drew fire from gay-rights groups when he led a national campaign to boycott the Walt Disney Co. over the company’s favorable policies toward gay employees.

And two years ago, the Texas native clashed with Buena Park officials who told him his shelter violated zoning laws. Drake was convicted on misdemeanor charges for violating building codes and ordered to complete 1,500 hours of community service. Drake is currently building a permanent shelter to comply with zoning regulations.

After Sunday’s service, churchgoer Greg Muzingo said it is unfortunate that Drake feels compelled to carry a gun.

“He shouldn’t have to feel that he has to arm himself,” Muzingo said. “I just hope he doesn’t have to use it.”

But Drake said times have changed.

“There was a time,” he said, “a preacher had a lot of clout. Today he does not.”