A blog item I posted about the threat posed by shooters who walk into houses of worship produced an interesting response from a dear friend of mine who happens to be a member of the clergy.

He mentioned a doctor friend of his who took the course necessary to obtain a concealed handgun carry permit. My friend said he doesn’t know if his friend brings his gun to church on Sunday.

But he added: My doctor told me that churches are the most vulnerable places because we all close our eyes to pray.

He was talking, of course, about the White Settlement, Texas, church shooting that left two parishioners dead before a security guard shot the gunman to death six seconds after he opened fire.

There’s a cautionary message in my friend’s response. I think from now on I will pray with my eyes open.