Georgia Baptist public affairs representative supports bill to allow guns in church

[struggle4progress]

February 11, 2014

Georgia Baptists’ new lobbyist made headlines his second week on the job, testifying in the state’s General Assembly in support of legislation that would allow guns in churches ...

The bill, approved 8–4 along party lines and now headed to the House Rules Committee, would remove a current ban that does not allow people with concealed carry permits to bring guns into public venues including bars and churches.

Griffin told lawmakers he was there on behalf of 1.3 million Georgia Baptists in more than 3,600 churches across the state ...

http://www.thealabamabaptist.org/print-edition-article-detail.php?id_art=30691

[Swede Atlanta]

1. I wonder if this so-called Christian knows some history about guns and churches......

In colonial times, settlers travelled to churches with their firearms. They did this to protect themselves from wildlife and indian populations.

But even the early settlers required all firearms to be kept outside of the church proper. They were left in a vestibule that was part of the church or a building on the church property. But they recognized that guns and God do not go together.

I realize there have been many shootings at churches, synagogues, temples, etc. but in no instance is there any evidence to suggest that a member brandishing a firearm could have done much to stop the carnage.

We need to be going in the opposite direction of wanting more guns in more places. We should be wanting few guns altogether.

[struggle4progress]

2. Today's reading comes from the Six Shooter of Colt, beginning at the First Chamber

[Warren Stupidity]

3. and verily jesus said unto him, son put another cap in his ass.

[ladjf]

5. God, that's sacrilegious. But, funny as hell. nt

[cbayer]

4. Will it never end?

Will a specific congregation be forced to allow guns or can each church makes it's own decision?

[struggle4progress]

6. HB 875 (status and link to pdf)

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20132014/HB/875

SECTION 1-5 of the bill modifies the Georgia Code 6-11-127(b) to remove, for example, prohibition on carrying weapons in houses of worship and bars, and I can't be sure whether these venues are generally allowed to prohibit carrying: the bill also modifies the Georgia Code, 6-11-127(c) to read "private property owners or persons in legal control of private property through a lease, rental agreement, licensing agreement, contract, or any other agreement to control access to such private property shall have the right to exclude or eject a person who is in possession of a weapon or long gun on their private property in accordance with paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of Code Section 16-7-21, except as provided in Code Section 16-11-135"

Does that mean only the actual property owner or lessee can exclude or eject a person in possession of a weapon?

The cited sections are unhelpful: Section 16-7-21 discusses criminal trespass, and 16-11-35 refers to colleges and universities

[hrmjustin]

7. Why people are in love with guns I do not know.