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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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Can't wait until they start shooting the devil out of people...
As a believer in Christ, I find it humurous these whole cultural relationship between guns and our faith (when saying cultural, it looks more like a 'southern' idea.) Before the fall (Garden of eden) there was no need for guns. When Christ walked this earth, there was no need for guns, just His word and His conviction. Where we are going for eternity, no need for guns. Are you getting the theme here? This 'act' of approving guns in church was NOT a faith stance, but just a regular human cultural choice. Nothing more.
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”
—Luke 22:36, NIV
If you're going to speak in behalf of Jesus, at least get it right.
"Before the fall (Garden of eden) there was no need for guns."
That's right, Adam was riding that T-Rex so all the terrifying carnivores flying around 10,000 years ago would have been no threat to him...
True, guns are our cultural choice. But, so is religion. If you had been born in Egypt, you'd see religion entirely differently than you do now.
Mr. N, thank you for showing us once more the true nature of Christianity
@freefromtheism...i was thinking the exact same thing. who would want to be a part of that hateful group of people.
Do they have mosques in Arkansas? So they will be allowed to carry guns into their house of worship?
Shor we got um, them mosque eeters u'll eatcha neck fat iferin ya aint carfull ta slap on sum kero seen in tha mornin for ya head downs to da crick...
It's a good thing for them! More attacks on Mosques in the US than Christian Churchs.
Ahhh... somewhere for all those "good guys with a gun" to go when they're not marching down the corridors of their local schools.
Don't worry. If anyone gets shot Elmer Gantry can heal them with a laying on of the hands.
Did anyone else notice that the article refers to Governor Mike Beebe as a Republican? Obviously CNN believes that there's no way a Democratic governor could possibly sign off on a gun rights bill. Way to check your facts CNN. In case you were wondering, Mike Beebe is a democrat and has been since at least 1982.
Shoes and teeth are optional.
Voting to allow the moneychangers into the temple.... guess that's what religion means to them down there. God and guns.
Seems like a good law. Now Moslems will be able to arm themselves in their mosques in case of attack by fundamentalist Christians. Or am I confused about the purpose of this law.
Ok. Remind me not to attend church in Arkansas. Next thing you know these Christians will be shooting rapid fire rifles in the air like some muslims in the middle east. Seems like civilization is going backwards. The earth must have passed thru a time warp. Beware of fundamentalists of any stripe.
Peace be with you, and on you!
Peace be with you... or else.
It's about time everyone else caught up! The Episcopal Church has had Canons in cathedrals for centuries.
Good move!
This is why I don't go to church anymore!
And the rest of the Civilized World watches in amazement at the self-inflicted demise of America!
This is wunnerful nooz.
So many people are going to get injured. Hell, most of them are still hungover from Saturday night.
Won't be going to Arkansas anytime soon.
Not much reason to. 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!
I think swords where allowed when they where the weapon of the time.
Where in scripture can you prove that statement. Peter had a sword with him the night Jesus was betrayed and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. What was Jesus' reaction? He told Peter to put his sword away and healed the man's severed ear. Even then, they were not in a Christian church assembly......the church had not even been established when that event took place.
Maybe those snake handlers can now start putting guns in their mouths and have Jebus save them.