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February 5th, 2013
02:00 PM ET
Arkansas to allow concealed guns in churchesBy Dan Merica, CNN (CNN) - The Arkansas House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a measure that would allow concealed guns to be carried in churches and houses of worship, and the governor’s office says it plans to sign the bill. The measure, which passed 85-8 on Monday, gives houses of worship the option of allowing concealed weapons. Passed by the state Senate in an equally lopsided 28-4 vote last week, the bill states it is “immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, and safety” because “personal security is increasingly important.” “A person should be allowed to carry a firearm in a church that permits the carrying of a firearm for personal security,” the bill reads. The bill was originally sponsored by Republican state Sen. Bryan King from Green Forest, a rural town in northern Arkansas. In an interview with CNN, he called churches "soft targets" that deserved to be able to protect themselves. "In the previous law, people with a concealed carry licence could not carry in church. No carry was allowed," said King. "Now, this just allows each church to make their own individual decision." In particular, King said, the law was important for rural communities, where "it could be thirty minutes to an hour" before police respond to a violent incident in a church. Matt DeCample, spokesman for Democrat Gov. Mike Beebe, told CNN the governor plans “to sign the bill as written” but also wants to “continue discussions with lawmakers to address concerns raised by the faith community.” Religious leaders were primarily concerned about any effect the law would have on insurance rates for houses of worship that choose to allow concealed weapons, but proponents downplayed the concern, saying multiple states have similar laws. “Additional language is definitely possible,” the governor’s spokesman said. A number of churches, including one of the state’s largest Fellowship Bible Church, told CNN they were reserving comment until the bill is signed by the governor or church leaders have decided whether to allow concealed weapons. When the bill becomes law, Arkansas would join a small number of states that have passed legislation specifically allowing concealed weapons in houses of worship. While about 20 states allow the practice because of “right to carry” laws, only a few states have singled out houses of worship in legislation. In April 2011, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said that bringing a concealed firearm into a house of worship for protection purposes is allowed under Virginia law. soundoff (999 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Next »Post a comment
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All that's missing is the apple pie.
If your idea of a place of worship is a gun range, you might be a redneck
Wait a min' thar, ain't God supposed to protect 'em Arkansas folk?
Like much of the South, Arkansas is very poorly educated with the second lowest percentage of college graduates (http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/education/educational_attainment.html), has the second lowest average income (http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/data/statemedian/) over the last three years, is the 9th fattest (http://www.businessinsider.com/fattest-states-in-america-2011-7?op=1), and is tied for 9th for fewest times winning Miss America! So the state is poor, dumb, fat and ugly, like the rest of the south.
But they are the 5th most religious state! So like the rest of the south, they love God. And he responds by blessing them with more dumb, fat, uneducated, ugly kids!
And you are a perfect example of what education does to those not smart enough to take it: All your "arguments" don't say anything to the point of whether or not those in Arkansas have made the right decision. Ever heard the term non-sequitur?
How about 4th highest for teen mothers? They get that one too.
headline reads: Arkansas–First State to Impose Bullet Proof Pews For Churches
We criticize the Muslim world for being uncivilized and violent, but we are not any better. How can you allow guns in a place of worship? It is a paradox!
Because intolerant, anti-religious bigots have shot up churches and temples in the past. Also, you may want to look up the term "paradox." It doesn't mean what you think it does. Such poor education nowadays!
Sounds like a good idea. You never know when some drunk redneck will make a grab at the basket.
If gun carrying is ever made legal in churches in my home state and my congregation permits it........my wife and I are leaving on that day.
Middle Ages are coming back in full swing in the US
We can all assume that the sermons will now be shorter.
It isn't illegal in Florida to carry in church if you are licensed. You can also carry at your doctor, grocery store, tire shop, dentist, etc. It is not illegal because it is a good idea. Anyone legally carrying is not going to shoot anyone unless they are threatening your life.
Ummm dopey remark of the day....
That is why it is called FloriDUH!
On February 12, 2012, Moises Zambrana, 48, accidently discharged his handgun, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Hannah Kelley. The shooting occurred in Grace Connection Church in St. Petersburg, Florida while Zambrana was showing another congregation member his handgun. Although Zambrana thought the gun was unloaded, he left a bullet in the chamber, which was discharged through a wall before striking Kelley, the pastor’s daughter, in the head. She died in a hospital the following Saturday.
Can you give us a biding contract to that effect? Even if not intended , I don't think a crowded church or any other public gathering place needs a shoot out going on. The police don't start firing away on a crowded city street.
Justin Campos, 25, has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in a January 18, 2011 shooting that left two men dead. After engaging in an argument with another group of men outside of Lookers, a Fort Myers area strip club, Campos fatally shot Juan Miguel Sanchez-Perdomo, 20, and Carlos Deleon-Ortiz, 29.
The jury did not accept Campos’ claim of self-defense and convicted him of one count of second-degree murder and one count of manslaughter. Campos, a member of the National Rifle Association, held a Florida concealed handgun permit at the time of the killings.
On December 10, 2010, Emanuel Rivera, 26, fatally shot 25-year-old LeKeefe Lee. Rivera sold drugs out of his Daytona Beach, Florida home. Lee, a regular customer, left Rivera’s home with three ounces of marijuana that he had not paid for. Rivera followed Lee outside and shot him as he attempted to drive away. He then called 911 to report the incident and claimed that he acted in self-defense after fearing that Lee was reaching for a gun.
Rivera, who showed police a valid concealed handgun permit at the scene of the shooting, was charged with delivery of a controlled substance and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was later charged with second-degree murder.
On November 24, 2010, Thomas Baker, a 28-year-old resident of Town ‘n’ Country, Florida, decided to go for a 1:00 AM jog while carrying a loaded handgun and $950 cash. 18-year-old Carlos Mustelier saw Baker and decided to "bam him" (Mustelier knew Baker and his younger brother, who he had been in an altercation with previously). Mustelier was unarmed and punched Baker in the face. Baker responded by shooting Mustelier four times, including twice in the back, killing him.
Baker told police he believed that Mustelier had a gun, and was not charged with a crime. Baker possesses a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun.
Anyone legally carrying is not going to shoot anyone unless they are threatening your life.
Sure, because no one who legally carries a gun has ever used it for anything other than good.
Should I continue or do you concede that your comment was at the very least...stupid and disconnected with fact?
Look Duh! can look up things on google!! Can Duh! look up statistical significance, too? Here's your homework, Duh!: How do a couple of incidents make for a statistically significant figure. Or is googling the best you can do?
Another reason not to go to church.
Just one more good reason to avoid those establishments
So, only people that illegally carry a concealed weapon can ever bring a gun into church?
God needs protection , eh?
Last week they passed their own anti-abortion law to bypass federal law. This is the first Republican majority in AR General Assembly since 1874. Next week they'll be rounding up the "infidels" for execution. Help us.
What is going on in the churches of Arkansas that parishioners feel the need to carry a gun?
The same thing that's been happening in other churches and temples for some time now: Intolerant, derrange criminals have targetted those in organized religion in the past, and will do it again.
One step forward, two steps back. These backwards states and their guns and god. Hard to move foward with these guys always in the way.
No, the backwards ones are the anti-religious bigots that have shot up churches and other temples in the past. What rock do you live under?
Yes because a Christian has never shot up anything. Let's just all let that sink in a minute.
hawaiianguest,
Wherever you studied (assuming you did), you need to get your money back. Ever heard the term 'non-sequitur'?
@Mr. N
Yes, but you apparently have never heard of presenting evidence for your assertions? See, I could actually point to Christians shooting places up because of their religion. God telling them to do so, etc.
So, let's see if you will ignore your own unjustified premise, or if you'll actually justify it.
Guns have no place in church.
Mohammad would be proud.
As one Arkansan church goes says to another, "Are you happy to see Jesus, or is that a gun in your pocket?"
Only in the US are people so afraid of each other that hey need to carry a gun even to a church. How sad. And what does it say about the prevailing social culture?
You're right, hard to deny. Pretty sad culture here, from guns in church to Honey Boo Boo.
There have been shootings at churches and temples. Maybe Christians just need to protect themselves from intolerant bigots like the ones posting here?
I know. Guns turn otherwise non-violent people violent due to their ease of use and access.
A church is where you would need a gun the most. With all the people claiming to hear a man in the sky talking to them and all, you never know when one of them will snap.