Faith

Georgia Court Considers Lifting Ban on Guns in Places of Worship

ATLANTA (The Blaze/AP) — A federal appeals court in Atlanta is hearing from a gun rights group that wants to overturn a Georgia state ban on guns in places of worship.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta will hear arguments Thursday on whether the 2010 law violates the First Amendment’s religious freedom protections.

The challenge was brought by GeorgiaCarry.org. The gun rights group maintains that religious institutions should be allowed to decide whether to allow firearms inside.

“It’s about whether or not the government should be making laws dealing with churches,” Kelley Kinnett, a regular church goer and president of GeorgiaCarry.org, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). “This is more of a First Amendment case than a Second Amendment case.”

“Why would you not want to take a gun?” asked Jerry Henry, who is also with GeorgiaCarry.org, told the AJC. “Putting up this gun-free zone [in places of worship] makes that place accessible to attack. All we’re asking for is to have the same option the criminal has.”

And churches have been targeted, as the AJC notes:

Last month, a former deacon at a Florida church shot and wounded the pastor and an associate pastor before parishioners tackled him.

Last year two teenage boys were wounded when three gunmen stormed a California church.

And in 2008 a gunman killed two and wounded six in a Tennessee church because he believed liberals, like the church’s members, were destroying the country.

Others, however, counter that the ban allows worshippers to pray in safety.

“If you chose to have a loaded gun in your home to protect yourself, that’s your right. It’s a whole different issue when you bring that gun where me and my children and other families are just going about … business,” Jonathan Lowy, director of the Legal Action Project at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, told the AJC.

“And it would be even more dangerous, he said, if well-meaning, armed civilians, faced with a dangerous situation, begin shooting in an effort “to save the day. Injecting more guns into more public places and being held by more people causes death and injury much more than it’s saved lives,” he added.

The AJC explains the current ban: “The 2010 Georgia law prohibits guns – except those carried by a law enforcement officer or a licensed security guard – in eight categories. Weapons can be left in locked cars in parking lots, however.”

The prohibited categories include: Government buildings, including schools and colleges, courthouses jails and prisons, places of worship, state mental health facilities where people are involuntarily admitted, bars without permission of the owner, a nuclear power facility, or within 150 feet of a polling place.

A three-judge panel is not expected to rule Thursday, but rather issue an opinion at a later date.

Comments (95)

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  • winoceros
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 1:49pm

    Finally. The mosques can come out in the open now after all these years in the closet. Time to let the false walls come down. Praise Allah and pass the ammunition.

    Report Post »  
  • Madmadgrandma
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 1:14pm

    If you are licensed to carry…carry. Also need armed security at churches. I live in Colorado and we had a horrible shooting at a church. Luckily, the church also had an armed security guard who took the assailant out. It is an ugly world we occupy today and you can be killed by criminals or insane folks at any time…on any corner. Better safe than sorry.

    Report Post »  
    • Highland
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 3:27pm

      I’ve carried my gun into church. There have been too many instances of anti-God lunatics entering houses of worship and committing violent acts. I will be there to defend and protect my friends if it ever happens at our church.

      Report Post » Highland  
  • Ferrarello
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 1:11pm

    That’s where Tiller the baby Killer met his maker.

    Report Post » Ferrarello  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 12:48pm

    Applause. When I go to church I carry. Ban or no ban.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
    • Slipstick
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 6:56pm

      Amen, Brother!!!

      Report Post » Slipstick  
    • HunterAlpha1
      Posted on October 10, 2011 at 2:22pm

      thank you for exercising your rights. you have them whether or not the government says you do, so don’t let them stop you.

      Report Post »  
  • DarthMims
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 12:44pm

    Amen, Hallelujah, and fire a couple of warning shots across the pulpit!

    Report Post » DarthMims  
  • COFemale
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 12:41pm

    Let me say this is a great idea. Case in point: Several years back in Colorado a gunman who killed two or three missionaries in a church in Denver traveled to Colorado Springs to New Life Church. Having heard about these shootings New Life put their armed security personnel on alert. Low and behold after the 11 am service ended the gunman shot and killed two sisters and injured, I believe, the father in the parking lot. He proceeded to the inside of the church. The female, and former cop, started firing at the guy; he finally turned the gun on himself and killed himself. Now you tell me how many more would have been killed had not New Life Church heighten security with armed personnel.

    Those who are against these are making everyone think random citizens would be armed and a free for all would ensue. No you get former or current armed security guards, former or current military, former or current cops to be armed security and provide the security. You also make it know your church has armed security. Anyone fool enough to enter with a weapon will get exactly what they deserve; lead suit.

    Report Post » COFemale  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 12:51pm

      I would not go to a church with armed security.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
    • Latter-Day-Soldier
      Posted on October 7, 2011 at 4:06pm

      It’s guys like meyvn who hold onto that kind of attitude until they experience firsthand an incident such as a church shooting

      Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
  • Magyar
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 12:36pm

    Does Lakeland, Florida ring a bell? Since then, I ALWAYS carry in the sanctuary. It’s the VERY scenario that I envisioned…. A defenseless captured audience!

    Report Post »  
  • faithfullistener
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 12:25pm

    Keep the guns out of places of worship! Cell phones, texting, beepers are enough of a distraction already! Why would anyone have to carry a gun in a place of worship? Have we become that paranoid??!! I wonder what ‘idiot’ brought this into court to begin with??!!

    Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 12:43pm

      Read my post about Colorado and you will see why.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • TXVET48
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 3:17pm

      If a person has a CCW permit and is carrying, and nothing happens, the other members would never know about the weapon. Better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have it.

      Report Post » TXVET48  
    • chicago76
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 4:42pm

      This is not a christian nation anymore. An awful lot of people hate Christians. You can either protect yourself and those you love or you can watch them be taken away. Your choice.

      Report Post »  
    • like2click
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 5:13pm

      AMEN to TXVET48!
      @Faithfullistener: we haven’t become paranoid, we’ve become WISE to the fact that other churches have been shot up before which means it could happen to any church. We’d be foolish to stick our heads in the sand and act like there is no threat after hearing of these tragic church shootings. If you have a “gun free zone” church, it’s an open invitation for a shooting. Not only that, but people tend to feel safe at church and so often times are in condition white. Anyway, if the firearm concealed(which it most likely will be b/c most states only have CC) what do you care? You won’t know who is carrying, and therefore, you don’t have to be bothered by it or worry about it. :)

      Report Post »  
    • Slipstick
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 6:54pm

      @TXVET48: Amen Brother!!!

      Report Post » Slipstick  
    • georgiavietvet
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:36pm

      faithjfulllistener…………………….you must be brain dead to have not heard about the church shooting in florida a few weeks ago. and there have been several other church shooting in the past few years. i have been carrying my gun to church for several years, and no one has been the wiser. GOD forbid that our church should ever be attacked, but if it were to happen, i will defend all of us until the perp is dead or i am. i have been shooting handguns for 55 yrs. and practice regularly, so i think i now what im doing. i sincerely hope your church is never attacked, but if it is, who is going to defend your people? doesn’t sound like it will be you………………………

      Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 12:02pm

    I agree that the government has no sway in what churches do as long as criminal activity is not involved. If a church wants to allow weapons on their property that it their prerogative. I do not think that churches, synagogues, and mosques should have large caches or weapons inside. I do think that individually owned weapons used for self-defense is their business.

    Report Post »  
  • Heil88
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:26am

    Criminals carry weapons either way. When you take the rights for the law abiding citizen what since does that make? Dig a deeper hole to burry your head in.

    Report Post » Heil88  
  • Joisey
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:01am

    I’m in favor of gun rights, but the first thing I thought of when I saw this headline were the images of radical muslims (is it time to say that phrase is redundant, btw?) firing AK-47′s into the air around their mosques.

    Report Post » Joisey  
    • like2click
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 5:26pm

      @Joisey: You must have quite the imagination to compare law abiding, permit holding, American citizens to radical Muslims! Obviously, we won’t be toting AK-47s to church! Also, real Christians are a far cry from radical Muslims. your comment was kind of comical, but almost scary at the same time since, from your comment, I’m assuming you actually think we will act the same….wow.

      Report Post »  
    • Latter-Day-Soldier
      Posted on October 7, 2011 at 4:16pm

      @joisey

      Trying to compare fundamentalist Muslims/Mujahideen to God loving Christians is like comparing apples to eggplants!
      Totally different mindsets, totally different religious beliefs.
      B.T.W. Christians in general do not believe in walking into another religions church, whipping out an (select favored firearm) and start shooting while yelling religious statements.

      Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:54am

    We would agree that moneys have IQ of less than 70? So on a human IQ test they would score less than 70 & be considered retarded, mentally challenged or “what is the new liberal euphemism of the day”. Laurie Santos, “the Monkey Whisperer”, has studied monkeys extensively. She has noted that when she put s piece of fruit on the ground & is watching it, the monkeys won’t take it, steal it. But when she averts her gaze away form the fruit, the monkeys rush up, grab the fruit & high tail it away. The monkeys have calculated the odds of stealing the fruit.
    Well bullies calculate the odds of bullying. They bully weaker people as we all know & not the captain of the football team. Terrorists catch people unawares or pick soft targets like civilians.

    My point is that the insanity defense isn’t much of a defense if people make plans to get away or figure out how to approach undetected. They are calculating the odds of accomplishing an act, a deed, that they know is wrong.

    So not only are they not insane (just angry or mad), they will take into account that people may be packing 7 fire back & therefore desist in the first place. People who want to do things like shoot up a p[lace read the papers too. They read a few cases where the gunman opened fired & was gunned down, they will take mentally note that their plans will not work.

    Read the interview
    http://discovermagazine.com/2008/nov/13-the-monkey-whisperer-learns-the-secrets-of-primate-economics/

    Report Post »  
  • NO-GODS-NO-MASTERS
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:37am

    “Every gun that’s made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not clothed. This world in arms…is spending the genius of its scientists, the sweat of its laborers,”
    Dwight David Eisenhower

    Report Post »  
    • randy
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:23am

      Oh God! STFU!

      Report Post » randy  
    • TXVET48
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 3:23pm

      I think DDE was responsible for one hell of a lot of weapons going off during WWII and I’m thankful that ended the way it did.

      Report Post » TXVET48  
  • ichbin
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:22am

    “Injecting more guns into more public places and being held by more people causes death and injury much more than it’s saved lives,”

    I’d like to know where this gem of a “fact” came from by the Brady bunch…. I would refute this, but I really don‘t think it’s necessary. The statement is completely false without any references to back it up. Pure fear projection.

    Report Post » ichbin  
    • towerguy
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:30am

      Well said!

      Report Post » towerguy  
    • georgiavietvet
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:41pm

      ichbin……………………….back your ridiculous charge up with provable facts. you can’t do it. you are one of the sheeple who will be screaming and crying if anything were to ever happen around you………………………………………..

      Report Post »  
    • georgiavietvet
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:48pm

      ichbin……………….. disregard my last post. i just read part of yours and jumped to refute what i thought was you making that charge. when i went back and read the whole thing, i realized i was wrong. sorry, my bad……………………….

      Report Post »  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:13am

    A place of worship is a perfect place to carry a gun. With so many people congregated in a a room it would be very easy for gunmen to slaughter a whole bunch of people. If people fired back the miscreants would not be so brave.

    Report Post »  
  • schroeder123
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:00am

    We should be able to protect our self’s, even in church. When some wacko comes in killing the preacher or x wife or randomly killing people, I want my weapon.

    Report Post » schroeder123  
  • ares338
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:55am

    I’m 62 and until recently I have never felt the need to carry a weapon on my person. I have a loaded weapon by my bed and am seriously considering a concealed carry license. This country has changed and not for the better.

    Report Post » ares338  
    • Nlitend1
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:18am

      That is funny, since statistically crime has gone down over 15% in the last decade…and violent crime has gone down 6 percent this year alone. Maybe you are suffering from paranoia due to your old age.

       
    • lvjohn
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:49am

      Get a CCW, you aren’t getting any younger and it is harder to defend yourself and a gun is a great deterrent.

      Report Post »  
    • chicago76
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 4:47pm

      To old to run anymore. Get a CCL and you won’t have to.

      Report Post »  
    • geeman0077
      Posted on October 11, 2011 at 6:00pm

      Where in the???? are you getting you erroneous false hoods @???

      Report Post »  
  • TWO BITS
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:51am

    We are gun owners, and my husband has a concealed carry permit, which he initially got because of motorcycle trips into isolated areas. That said, I lament that we live in a society where criminals violate churches. It would take some adjustment on our part, but we would probably exercise our right to take a gun to church.

    Report Post » TWO BITS  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:10am

      i am 62 when i was a teenager we did not lock our cars or even our homes………we also had gun racks and carried our shotguns and rifles in the truck all the time…..if the bad guys know you have protection they will go elswhere……………the most polite respectiful people are in church and at the gun range !!!

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:46am

    .
    Pray over‘em before you shoot’em. Sounds like a plan………….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • momrules
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:46am

    If we all carried guns there would be fewer gun related deaths. Criminals are cowards for the most part and if they know that their intended victims have guns too they are less likely to start shooting.

    Report Post »  
    • DanWesson455
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:54am

      Torn between a rock and a hard place here. Yes you lift the ban but Jesus was the ultimate pacifist. Why would one want to carry in his house of worship even if one could? Why would one want to fire upon another in a church when it is, to me, obvious Jesus never would have? Rock and a hard place, yep. I need some prayer here to help with this one.

      Report Post » DanWesson455  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:54am

      Either that or the stupid ones will eventually be weeded out of the gene pool into boot hill.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • JLGunner
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:04am

      @ dan I believe the correct way to look at this is that you would only be returning fire, not “firing upon” somebody. Pretty simple.

      Report Post » JLGunner  
    • towerguy
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:34am

      Danwesson: Much of the initial militia that fought in the revolutionary war were Pastors who had their flock bring their weapons to church to be ready. This isn’t something new; it is something that the Progressive/Statist folks brainwashed the people of this country into believing.

      Report Post » towerguy  
    • srmaxey71
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:09am

      danwesson. You’re wrong about the pacifist. Don‘t you remember Jesus going into the temple with a whip He made to clean out His Father’s house?

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:37am

      At towerguy

      You’re right. It needs to be said more often to counter the brainwashing

      Report Post »  
    • War_Eagle
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:58am

      @ DanWesson –

      How did you come to the conclusion that Jesus, who instituted the death penalty for nearly every infraction, beat the money changers with whips, instituted capital punishment, commanded His disciples to buy swords with which to protect themselves, stated that He would return with an army to destroy His enemies, and wiped out every living thing on the planet with the exception of eight people and a handful of animals, is “the ultimate pacifist”?

      Churches are not exempt from violence and church goers no less deserving of their right to protect themselves than anyone else.

      I usually carry in church and so do several of the men in our church. I have no problem with it and can’t find any Biblical reason not to.

      Report Post »  
    • Pawhuska
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 12:10pm

      DanWesson455
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:54am
      Torn between a rock and a hard place here. Yes you lift the ban but Jesus was the ultimate pacifist. Why would one want to carry in his house of worship even if one could? Why would one want to fire upon another in a church when it is, to me, obvious Jesus never would have? Rock and a hard place, yep. I need some prayer here to help with this one.

      Dan see
      Luke 22:36
      Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
      (KJV)
      I am a pastor
      it is a misnomer to say Jesus was against self defence!
      There is a time to suffer for your faith.
      There is a time to defend yourself and others!
      Our faith is not preached by violence!
      But we are not required to be passive against the advancement of evil!
      What we do not resist we condone by default.
      I hope this helps

      Report Post »

      Report Post »  
    • DanWesson455
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 12:12pm

      Just a few places where I have read violence isn’t always the way.
      Don’t get me totally wrong. I do believe in the right of self defense. Just in the Lord’s House? That gives me pause to think.
      God reserved the right for vengence: Romans 12:19, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
      Leviticus 19:18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
      Deuteronomy 32:35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”
      Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
      Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
      Hebrews 10:30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”

      Report Post » DanWesson455  
    • Latter-Day-Soldier
      Posted on October 7, 2011 at 4:29pm

      @danwesson

      So Christ is the ultimate “pacifist” eh? O.k. then, explain why He gave the boot to the money changers in the temple and cleaned house? (St John. ch 2, vs 15)

      Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
    • Latter-Day-Soldier
      Posted on October 7, 2011 at 4:40pm

      @danwesson-

      One more scripture quote that I believe is relevant:
      And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend the your families even unto bloodshed…. ….to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion.
      Alma CH 43 v 47, Book Of Mormon

      Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
    • geeman0077
      Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:03pm

      The Lord is a “MAN OF WAR” Exodus 15:3; Luke 22:36 Says, (Also Read,Luke 35~38) He said to them, (the disciples), he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. …; I have questioned this very issue, and have prayed intently about it, and God has showed me the first reference and reminded me of the latter ones. Also,Romans 12:18 As much as lies within you, live peaceably with all men. No one with an once of sanity wants war, unrest, or any type of violence. We all would like to live in peace. Even Jesus seen the tide changing in His day, and told His followers to buy swords. (If guns were available they too, would have been mentioned, i’m sure) Jesus taught then and still does peace, but He did not allow anyone to push Him around, walk all over Him, and certainly not compromise His mission. No political correctness here, or any profiling of any kind, Jesus did not allow it It was and should be uncompromising today.Our government made 2 set of rules theirs and ours. They are exempt from obamacare, we are forced. They print money, we do we go too jail. They They vote themselves raises, and cut ours. Social security &medicare funds they steal from (embezzlement), we go to jail for. Left alone it would grow. They claim it is the baby boomers, people live longer, while this is true, it should grow, not shrink.Pass the obamacare before we know what is in it. ABSURD. Give them the same law then read it and see how they react.Two sets of rules theirs and ours. = Tyran

      Report Post »  
  • jrandolph1200
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:46am

    My family went to Georgia last week for vacation and we are totally setting a goal to move there soon and I think I found more evidence that we would be making a great move.

    Report Post » jrandolph1200  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:20am

      Stay away from Atlanta. Even the suburbs are dangerous, After all, Atlanta has been ruled by Democrats since the civil war.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Latter-Day-Soldier
      Posted on October 7, 2011 at 4:41pm

      Gonzo’s got a good point, kids walk around with glass cutters to break into cars, no joke.

      Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
  • evilhatemonger
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:46am

    I think the outright ban is a bit much. As was stated, let each church decide whether they need to fear their parishioners. Since there has been an increase in church shootings in recent years, there needs to be some sort of protection.

    Report Post » evilhatemonger  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:39am

    Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!!

    Report Post » JLGunner  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:35am

    To quote George Carlin, the first time someone shoots up a church they’ll call him a disgruntled worshiper! LOL Not that I’m against guns though, I think we should be required to carry one at all times!

    Report Post » BeingThere  
  • randy
    Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:34am

    Unless someplace has a metal detector , I carry my weapon everywhere.
    I’ll worry about the law after the need to protect myself or others.

    Report Post » randy  
    • pennsy.357
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:17am

      This is my belief too; I carry everywhere I go too.

      Report Post »  
    • Slipstick
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:24am

      Hear hear! Most churches (at least smaller ones) are ‘soft’ targets. Minimal or no security and in some cases, cash in the offering plates left unsecured. Barring off-duty LEO’s in the congregation, who might NOT be armed, a criminal of any kind would likely meet with little resistance. (Then there’s the whole turn-the-other-cheek / love thy neighbor attitude thing.) I’d just as soon have the tools necessary to stop a bad guy handy, rather than locked up in the parking lot — After he’s dragged off in cuffs or a rubber bag, THEN I’ll love and pray for him. Sad world we now live in that it has come to this…

      Report Post » Slipstick  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on October 6, 2011 at 1:08pm

      I only have two cheeks and I’ve already turned them both.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
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