Some Missouri Clergy Want State to Enforce their View on Church Carry

Ammoland ^ | 27 April, 2018 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Missouri is one of nine states where the government generally prohibits people from carrying firearms in church. As in any question, the government may be neutral, which is the default position in the United States, or it may actively interfere. 

According to concealedcarry.com, there are two states that ban concealed carry in churches, Nebraska and Louisiana. Nebraska allows a church to authorize an armed security team if the team members have carry permits and if written notice is given to church members.  Louisiana law is similar, but requires an extra eight hours of training every year. Seven states and D.C. require the permission of a church leader to conceal carry firearms in church. 41 states treat carry in churches the same as any other private property. In Missouri, HB 1936 would remove the current state requirement.

Wyoming recently reformed its law to remove state government from the question.

In the early colonies, people were sometimes required to be armed at church. In “Origins and Development of the Second Amendment“, I found a reference to colonial requirements to carry guns in church from the Virginia laws of arms bearing.

All men that are fitting to bear arms, shall bring their pieces to the church…

The law dated to 1631.  David Hardy found it in the 1823 work by William Henning,

[marktwain]

Many religious leaders want the government to enforce their political preferences.

[bk1000]

Most in our small congregation carry, including our pastor.

[dangus]

Anyone know why the Sutherland Springs church in Texas had no-one carrying INSIDE the church?

[Delta 21]

Many religious leaders want a lot of stuff.

If your pastor doesnt know how to keep his sheep safe, he shouldnt be your pastor for very long. If you are going to have organised anything, keeping your charges safe is paramount.

If you believe in weekly fellowship and your church needs to, maybe it should sell a few things and buy weapons for protection.

[Manly Warrior]

Okay, while there is a general prohibition of CC in several places in MO law, one ought to read the law and see that there is context. Here is the actual statute: RsMO 571: *571.107. Permit does not authorize concealed firearms, where — penalty for violation. — 1. A concealed carry permit issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121, a valid concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, or a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state shall authorize the person in whose name the permit or endorsement is issued to carry concealed firearms on or about his or her person or vehicle throughout the state. No concealed carry permit issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121, valid concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, or a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state shall authorize any person to carry concealed firearms into:     (14) Any church or other place of religious worship without the consent of the minister or person or persons representing the religious organization that exercises control over the place of religious worship. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;     2. Carrying of a concealed firearm in a location specified in subdivisions (1) to (17) of subsection 1 of this section by any individual who holds a concealed carry permit issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121, or a concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, shall not be a criminal act but may subject the person to denial to the premises or removal from the premises. If such person refuses to leave the premises and a peace officer is summoned, such person may be issued a citation for an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars for the first offense. End quote. So, in context, if one who is licensed to carry, does so in any or all of the 17 mentioned places ( churches are #14), and is found out and refuses to leave and a peace officer is summoned, then the licensed CC person can be ticketed..... Now, on the other hand, constitutional carriers MUST obey these prohibitions otherwise they are subject to felony weapons charges. So, If you have ANY state CC permit, you are pretty much restricted in MO only by Federal Law. Carry wisely, carry concealed in my humble and tactical opinion. Cool huh? Regarding non-permitted CC, I suggest folks who so choose, study the laws and regularly update tier NO GO lists.... Or simply obtain a cc permit. and carry wisely and concealed. I find the proposed bill useful only to constitutional carriers, and I recommend, at least in MO, that one obtain a CC permit if for no other reason to have legal coverage for going armed (almost) anywhere (in MO). Be glad you out of staters have blessings to carry arms w/ or w/o a permit in the great liberty state of MO. Show me.

[Manly Warrior]

Not sure why my formatting disappeared... sorry. Grin and bear it.

[imardmd1]

later

[marktwain]

Thank you for informative, well thought out, and unformatted, post!