Posted on 09/24/2008 1:16:36 PM PDT by Daffynition
ATLANTA -- Georgia lawmakers are considering allowing guns in more public places, including churches, sporting events, and even university campuses.
Religious leaders were among those who spoke out against the possible changes Tuesday, saying churches, temples and mosques should remain gun-free sanctuaries.
The chairman of a state Senate study committee looking at Georgia's firearms laws cautioned that any proposed legislation was in its infancy.
"We're working toward a draft," said state Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, a Republican from Sharpsburg.
But "template" legislation circulated Tuesday would make it possible for the estimated 300,000 Georgians with gun permits to carry their weapons to more public gatherings.
Gun rights supporters have complained for years that Georgia's public gathering restrictions are far too strict. They ban weapons at bars, sporting events, political rallies, churches and public buildings.
Those laws began to ease earlier this year as Georgia legislators passed a bill allowing those with permits to carry firearms in state parks, mass transit and in restaurants that serve alcohol. Gov. Sonny Perdue signed the law, which took effect July 1.
It is currently illegal to carry a gun into a house of worship. A trio of religious leaders told the lawmakers they want it to remain that way.
"Churches, synagogues and communities of faith should be protected places," Pastor Bradley Schmeling, of St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta, said.
He and others pointed to deadly shootings at churches in recent years.
But Seabaugh echoed an argument that has been made regularly among some gun rights advocates: The death toll at some of those churches might have been lower if parishioners were armed and able to fight back.
Seabaugh said he could support an opt-out provision allowing churches that don't want guns to keep them out.
College campuses have also been struck by violence. And officials with the Georgia Board of Regents said Tuesday they want the law banning guns on university campuses to remain intact.
But Matthew Podowitz of Atlanta said the law needs updating to remove ambiguities that leave him guessing whether he is complying or not.
"It puts me at risk of being prosecuted even when I try to comply," Podowitz said.
Georgia lawmakers could consider changes to the state's gun laws when they return to the Capitol in January.
As I see it, what the pastor or property owner doesn't know won't hurt him. The minute I make a show of the fact that I'm carrying a weapon, he should be able to tell me to leave the premesis at once. If I don't comply, then I'm breaking the law and can be arrested and prosecuted.
How's that for a happy compromise?
Now that’s a nice picture.
Do you agree the law should be silent on the matter? Niether requiring a property owner to allow guns nor creating any penalty for ignoring a poperty owner’s wishes regarding specifically guns. (The owner could use generic trespassing law to ask the person to leave and not come back, and the person could be charged with trespass if he refused to leave.)
Which is all we're asking for. As the law currently stands, the owner of, for example, a bar may not grant permission for his bouncer to carry a firearm. Or, more correctly, even if he does, the bouncer could still be arrested for it. Even if the pastor of a church wanted some armed congregants, like the woman in Colorado who saved so many people's lives, the state of Georgia wouldn't permit him to make that decision legally.
You say you want the right to forbid people from being armed on your property, and I agree. But should the government take away your right to allow people to be armed on your property? Legally forbidding property owners to permit licensed persons to be armed on their property does not respect the property rights of those owners in any way.
I agree with you ... and can only add, we need to elect or see appointed judges who enforce the laws *already* on the books against those who use guns illegally. A judiciary with backbone would be amazing.
I just disagree that the right to prohibit extends to what is carried concealed upon their person.
Oh well, nice that we can disagree whilst not being disagreeable!
Ed
ping (note what Atlanta pastor is quoted)
/celebration song plays
Well... maybe not. My campus is private and I don’t see them agreeing to this. I mean they almost threw my roommate out of the school for having a knife (smaller than three inches).
But they do allow they to hunt twice a year to thin out the population so who know. All I know is my state rep. is getting a note from me!
"Churches, synagogues and communities of faith should be protected places," Pastor Bradley Schmeling, of St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta, said.
Yes, the uncloseted sodomite whose refusal to abide by Visions and Expectations has led the ELCA to encourage Bishops to refuse to discipline such clergy.
Can't expect someone who has no regard for the Sixth Commandment to have much respect for the Second Amendment.
OK, here goes:
Lutheran (ELCA) Ping!
Well stated. Each church should be able to decide for themselves if guns and sacrament go together. A "one size fits all" does not work in this instance.
My brother in law told me of the first services they had in a bombed out Church in France a few weeks after D Day and it was required to keep their weapons with them or face court martial...
I can only imagine the devastation and courage displayed. Please thank him for his service.
Care to compare the fundamental human right to self defense with another person’s property rights?
When you’re on my property, both my gun and my Constitution trump you.
You are absolutely correct. Go to the head of the class.
Attention Worshipers: Forensic clean up on aisle 2.
Churches have been open season for how many years. Back when Christian were thrown to lions with no defense, what is different now? All these little limp wristed preachers want peace, even if it means sacrificing their parishioners.
Since when does a person's God-given rights end at the sanctuary doors? Nice to know the "religious leaders" are the biggest suppororters of the seperation of church and state, particularly that the GOD GIVEN rights of the people do not apply in church.
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