Posted on 02/17/2024 10:10:38 AM PST by Morgana
A recent Lifeway survey of Protestant pastors shows that armed congregants protect more than 50% of protestant churches. While these security arrangements vary in their level of sophistication on a church-by-church basis, nearly the same number of pastors who report the use of armed congregants report that there is an intentional plan in place to prepare for threats posed by an active shooter. Though various state and local laws currently regulate and limit the use of concealed carry weapons by church security teams in various locale, a proposed federal law would criminalize the preparations made by many armed church security teams across the United States.
Sponsored in the U.S. Senate by Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) and cosponsored by Senator Laphonza Butler (D-CA), the Preventing Private Military Activity Act of 2024 widely defines a paramilitary group as any group of 3 or more persons who function under a command structure as a “security services unit.”
If passed, the bill would make it illegal to “publicly patrol, drill, or engage in techniques capable of causing bodily injury or death.” Power to enforce this law would be derived from the interstate commerce clause of the constitution, as the proposed bill would be applicable whenever a church security team utilizes either weapons or ammunition that have “traveled in interstate or foreign commerce,” a clause that applies to nearly every weapon and round of ammunition in circulation. Additionally, even the act of training to engage in an activity that could cause bodily injury or death, such as an active shooter drill, would be considered a violation of federal law under the proposal.
Penalties for violating the training prohibitions of the Preventing Private Military Activity Act of 2024 would range from 1-year probation to 2 years in prison plus applicable fines and civil forfeiture of any property, “personal or real,” involved in or “intended to be used” in a manner that violates the law. Presumably, civil forfeiture would include the loss of any firearm reserved for use by a security team member, but broader interpretations of the law could include the forfeiture of real estate associated with the violation.
Additionally, if an active shooting situation took place, and the shooter was killed or injured by the church security team, the proposed law would make members of the security team subject to criminal penalties that range from 5 years to life in prison. The act would also give a surviving shooter or his surviving family the right to bring a federal civil lawsuit against members of the church security team if he is injured or killed.
The Preventing Private Paramilitary Activity Act of 2024 has also been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by eleven democratic house members. Notable amongst the bills’ house sponsors is representative Henry “Hank” Johnson, a representative with cognitive function comparable to that of President Biden, who once expressed concern that the island of Guam could become so overpopulated that it would “tip over and capsize.”
While the checks and balances of the legislative system will hopefully keep this bill from becoming the law of the land, it is truly frightening to see so many legislators who would turn brave church security team members into criminals, in what would be a severe miscarriage of justice.
Just like gun-free zones in schools, the leftists are propping up innocent people to be slaughtered.
Ed Markey is an f’ing retard.
Up next...criminalize State Troopers if carrying a weapon
there should be a law that criminalizes lawmakers who try to criminalize law abiding citizens who want their right to self defense!
I agree.
Say goodbye to the unorganized militia.
The lefties all have blood on their hands.
And cops. Oh, wait...
I remember reading about church and state somewhere along the road
Because tehy want more people killed. That is the ONLY possible reason for this bill.
These people are insane.
Violation of religious freedom. Not Constitutional.
Sounds like Democrats would like to see dead Christians and Jews.
Why stop there? Should remove armed guards at The Capitol and all federal buildings too.
EXCELLENT! I am ALL FOR THIS BILL.
You see, Edward Markey has a security detail. It is certainly 3-people strong. It has a command structure. It is a security services group.
This bill will force Ed Markey to travel without bodyguards. I really like where this is going.
PASS THIS BILL!
They want Christians and Conservatives slaughtered - The gov’t will probably manufacture many of these episodes IMHO to push their agenda and narrative.
Mandatory Abortion - ✔
Mandatory Death Shots - ✔
Mandatory LGBTGP/DEI Brainwashing - ✔
Mandatory Immigration - ✔
Mandatory Fossil Fuel Elimination - ✔
Mandatory Defenseless Homes/Businesses/Churches - ✔
Demoncrats are demon possessed!
I'm thinking his wife, Susan Blumenthal is the real poison in that pot.. A real slime-ball she is.
Will not comply. Sadly, I feel I must carry when attending service in the current environment. Pastor feels the same, as do others in the congregation.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.