Guns May Be Allowed At Churches, Colleges [GA]

CBS46 ^ | September 24, 2008 | staff reporter

[According2RecentPollsAirIsGood]

"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.

Perhaps Pastor Schmeling should google "Jeanne Assam," then politely exit stage right. Most of the Lutherans at my church would certainly disagree with him.

On a side, somewhat related note, I watched Stars in My Crown on TCM on Monday. Fantastic movie; a conservative's dream movie. Joel McCrea is a preacher who carries two guns on himself and takes no nonsense from anybody in the town. He transforms his town for the better, bringing doubters to God and tackling injustice, but he does it not with his guns, but with his strong faith, prayers, good deeds, and fine example.

Seriously, watch this movie if you can get a hold of it. I don't think it's on dvd unfortunately. At least look for it on TCM in the future and tape it. I should have. Just a wonderfully inspiring movie.

[AngryJawa]

A gun is simply a tool. It's what one chooses to do with it that is important.

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?

[wastedyears]

Now that’s a nice picture.

[On the Road to Serfdom]

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.)

[Turbopilot]

Any owner of private property, whether churches, bars, shopping malls, or sports venues has the absolute right to bar weapons from their premises. While I’m all for CCW, I think to be consistent constitutionally you have to be all for the rights of property owners.

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.

[Daffynition]

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.

[Sir_Ed]

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

[DryFly]

<"Should the government take away your right to allow people to be armed on your property?>

Then we are agreed. :)

[aberaussie]

ping (note what Atlanta pastor is quoted)

[Toki]

/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!

[lightman]

(note what Atlanta pastor is quoted)

"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!

[mlocher]

If a property owner desires to keep out guns, knives, etc., then yes he should be able to do so.

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.

[tubebender]

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...

[Daffynition]

DOMMARTIN, FRANCE. SOLDIERS ATTENDING MASS IN BOMBED OUT CHAPEL.

I can only imagine the devastation and courage displayed. Please thank him for his service.

[Elsiejay]

Care to compare the fundamental human right to self defense with another person’s property rights?

[DryFly]

When you’re on my property, both my gun and my Constitution trump you.

[Elsiejay]

You are absolutely correct. Go to the head of the class.

[PistolPaknMama]

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.

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.