Florida Church Says It's Not A Gun Free Zone: 'We Are Heavily Armed'

A church in Tampa, Florida, has warned outsiders that it is "heavily armed" in a now-viral poster.

The pastors from the River at Tampa Bay Church had the warning posted on Nov. 7, which serves as a welcome sign featured on all of the church's doors. The sign drew attention on social media after the church's senior pastor Rodney Howard-Browne shared it on Instagram.

The church's sign follows the Nov. 5 shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The incident left 26 people dead after gunman Devin Patrick Kelley opened fire on attendees.

The River at Tampa Bay Church's sign is not new. Howard-Browne informed Instagram commenters that the sign has been up for "several years." It simply begins with: "Welcome to the River at Tampa Bay Church." Its message, however, escalates below it's bulging, red "warning" banner.

"Please know this is not a gun free zone — we are heavily armed," the sign reads in all caps. "Any attempt will be dealt with deadly force. Yes, we are a church and we will protect our people."

The pastors signed off on the advisory, which can be seen at the bottom of the poster.

The poster has received mixed feedback from many on social media. Instagram users either sided with the church's message or strongly opposed it.

"Had the same idea for my church. For those that are shocked by this — God will protect His people, but He expects us to do our part," one commenter argued. "That's why we use seatbelts or wear helmets...just like others. We do our part, let God do His."

Another commenter added, "Will you consider opening a church in Colorado?"

"I wouldn't either bother going to church if you condone killing someone in your congregation," one opposing user said.

Another Instagram user added, "It’s unfortunate this type of signs are going up."

Howard-Browne addressed Instagram commenters, saying: "Everyone will be fine as long as they behave, if someone has other plans it will not be good."

While there have been numerous church shootings, they aren't as common as other forms of mass shootings. Houses of worship still manage to be one of the few secure places to be, according to data from the Center for Homicide Research (CHR). The study evaluated mass shootings in the U.S. from 1980 to 2005 to determine the safety of churches.

"It's very safe to go to church on Sunday," Dallas Drake, a criminologist at the CHR told CNN. "There are very few incidents, but they are high-profile when they occur."