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School Cancelled Ahead Of Church Blessing Couples Toting AR-15 Rifles

NEWFOUNDLAND, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania school district says it's canceling classes at an elementary school because a church down the street is hosting a ceremony featuring AR-15 rifles.

Police: Student Causes Lockdown After Bringing Loaded Gun To School

World Peace and Unification Sanctuary in Newfoundland is encouraging couples to bring their AR-15 rifles to a commitment ceremony. The church believes the AR-15 symbolizes the "rod of iron" in the biblical book of Revelation.

The superintendent of the Wallenpaupack Area School District says "there is no direct threat." But he wrote in a letter to parents that given concerns about parking, traffic and the "nature of the event," students will be bused to schools about 15 miles (24 km) away.

The church is a breakaway faction of the Unification Church, which has distanced itself from the event and says its ceremonies and theology do not involve weapons.

(Copyright 2018 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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