From: Miami Herald
COLLINS, Ga. -- State fire investigators with the office of Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens' office are looking into an early morning church fire in Tattnall County.
Investigators said in a news release that Collins Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Collins was destroyed by the fire. The blaze was reported at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, fire investigators said.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/17/3239675/sunday-morning-fire-destroys-church.html#storylink=cpy
Since the tragic shooting in Newtown, CT gun policy has been on the top of the agenda for both Washington and local state legislators. Based on the political makeup of your state new legislation has been introduced to support gun rights, as well as, to restrict the constitutional rights of gun owners. Below are highlights from a few states that had pending legislation that could apply o places of worship.
From: The New Republic
Georgia
Charles Gregory, a freshman state representative that the Atlantic dubbed “one of the most zealously pro-gun legislators in America,” introduced four bills that would largely obliterate any restrictions on carrying firearms in Georgia. The bills would declare that “evil resides in the heart of the individual, not in material objects” and would allow people to carry guns pretty much anywhere, including college campuses and churches. It would also prohibit the governor from suspending guns sales during an emergency. Gregory represents a district that includes Kennesaw, the only place in America where it is required for households to own at least one gun.
Virginia
A bill proposed by Del. Bob Marshall would require school districts to designate at least one qualified person to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds. Gov. Bob McDonnell has said there should be a discussion on whether people with concealed-carry permits should be allowed to carry firearms in schools, but he has not gone as far as saying it should be required. Meanwhile, two Northern Virginia lawmakers have introduced legislation that would close the state’s gun-show loophole, which allows unlicensed arm dealers to sell at gun shows without conducting background checks.
Security at Church: How will this apply to your facility if it runs a school? It will be important to see how this will apply to you if you are renting out a school facility to hold your church service.
Florida
Two lawmakers are pushing a bill that would allow state agencies and local governments to decide whether they want to prohibit concealed firearms inside public buildings and at some public events. Currently, a concealed-carry license allows Floridians to carry a weapon in most places in the state. The law is likely to face resistance in the GOP-controlled legislature, and some legislators are already arguing that the restrictions proposed by the bill violate the Second Amendment.
Link to Article
From: The Washington Post
A federal appeals court has upheld Georgia’s ban on bringing guns into places of worship.
The Rev. Jonathan Wilkins, a Baptist pastor, and a gun-rights group had argued that church members should have the right to carry guns into worship services to protect the congregation.
But the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday (July 20) that a Georgia law adopted in 2010 does not violate the Thomaston congregation’s First and Second Amendment rights.
Gun-rights advocates might want a weapon for self-defense, but that is a “personal preference, motivated by a secular purpose,” the court ruled.
From: Gainesville Times
{For decades people have argued over gun rights.
That battle continues to rage in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals where the gun-rights group GeorgiaCarry.org is hoping to persuade a three-judge panel that a Georgia law banning guns in "places of worship" interferes with the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of religion. Only Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas and North Dakota prohibit firearms in churches, synagogues and mosques.}
Article
"A Thomaston (Georgia) minister and a gun rights advocacy group is filing lawsuit challenging Georgia’s prohibition against guns in church, a move that was predicted after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month the Second Amendment's guarantee of an individual right to bear arms applied to state and local gun control laws...The suit also said Wilkins often works long hours alone at the Baptist Tabernacle and needs to be able to protect himself and during services " for the protection of his flock, his family, and himself, but he is in fear of arrest and prosecution under the carry ban for doing so. The Tabernacle would like to have members armed for the protection of its members attending worship services and other events at the Tabernacle's place of worship.”
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It has been less then one week since the Governor of Louisiana has signed his states new gun law into action. It seem that Georgia could be the next state to be capturing national news on the same topic. Less then seven days since the completion of ones states battle a new battle has begun. What is clear by this article is that churches across America feel that they should have the legal right (for authorized individuals) to carry arms within their facilities.
