guns in churches, mosques, synagogues, Druid oak groves etc

[gejohnston]

If as liberals, we support the separation of Church and State when people like Pat Roberson opens his mouth. Doesn't it stand to that we should also oppose the State telling churches that they can't allow guns? It seems to me that Jefferson's wall is brick on both sides. While I see a reasonable argument for a compelling State interest in banning them from bars, or any other business where recreational drugs are consumed on the premises, I don't see it when it comes to churches.

[PatrickforO]

1. Open carry in the sacred oak grove...lmao!

Really good.

[gejohnston]

3. open or concealed.

In Wyoming, it is a crime without the cleric's written permission.

[Press Virginia]

2. I thought churches were private property

unlike bars, which have to be licensed by the state to serve alcohol, I would think the Church would have the say on whether they permitted CCW or not

[gejohnston]

5. I don't know about Oklahoma, where the change was vetoed

In Wyoming, it is a crime without written permission from the church PTB. I think the State should only be involved to enforce trespass law if the cleric chooses, but the default should be the Church's policy and State not care.

[Press Virginia]

7. I agree

[Eleanors38]

16. In Texas, you post one or both signs "banning" arms in a business or (I presume) a....

place of worship. One bans concealed-carry, one bans open-carry. The restaurant I am in now has them, another has neither sign, yet another is improperly posted.
Doesn't matter to me. Gvernment regulation in this instance is rather inconseqential. If I am not mistaken, all the school shootings in this country were committed in "gun-free" facilities. In fact, I oppose regulations which advertise that fact.

[benEzra]

17. Some states, including Georgia, treat churches differently from other, similar private buildings.

A meeting hall can allow or deny guns at the discretion of its members, owner, bylaws, whatever, but in Georgia, churches are Special Places Under God and are therefore not subject to the same rules as regular buildings.

I believe there is indeed a 1st Amendment issue when the state designates special religious rules for churches vs. other voluntary private assemblies, because such rules fail to treat them equally under the law.

Most states (including most blue states) allow church carry on the same basis as carry in any other private building, e.g. allowed if the building owner/organization allows it and prohibited if they do not allow it, and do not make "religious vs. secular" distinctions.

[SecularMotion]

4. Why stop there?

They should also allow liquor and strippers in churches, mosques, synagogues, Druid oak groves etc

[Brickbat]

6. You've clearly never been to a Druid ceremony.

#justsayin

[gejohnston]

8. somehow I don't picture the local cleric keeping his job

if they allowed strippers. Then again, the mass pearl clutching would be fun to watch. Both are allowed by law, or at least the same rules apply to the local Lions Club or VFW. I'm not saying the cleric has to allow anything in his church, all I'm saying is that the government doesn't have any business telling him he can or can't.

[JonathanRackham]

9. Attendance might go up.

[Eleanors38]

15. Something will go up!

[Straw Man]

10. Why indeed?

They should also allow liquor and strippers in churches, mosques, synagogues, Druid oak groves etc

Who are "they"? The government? Should the government be able to tell churches what they can and can't have on their premises?

[theatre goon]

11. I know a stripper that goes to church every Sunday.

Why shouldn't she be allowed to attend just like everyone else?

Your bigotry is showing...

[ileus]

13. "sinners" are those most needing to attend a worship service.

[beevul]

14. Yes, the naked human body...

strippers

Yes, the naked human body is just terrible.

I reckon you'd be happier if it was covered up huh, burkas for all?

It is interesting to me, that you decided to let us know that naked humans are as repulsive to you as guns.

It reveals a lot about you.

[benEzra]

18. If the Assembly of the Flying Spaghetti Monster decides that

members may bring wine or beer into *their* building for socials, and the state tells them they can't because $DEITY disapproves of alcohol, we have a First Amendment problem. If Moose Lodge or VFW members can decide to allow alcohol socials in *their* buildings, then so can Pastafarians, Lutherans, Jews, or Unitarians. Or atheists. The state has no business making a distinction, IMO. The same goes for your suggestion of mandatory dress codes; enforcing Baptist dress codes on pagans would be a 1stA violation. Baptists can set their rules, and Druids/Wiccans/Unitarians/whoever can set theirs.

[ileus]

12. Government should be in the business of making easy victims....anywhere.

That's not progressive.

[ManiacJoe]

19. I have never understood the reasoning behind the ban on CCW in church.

That said, the few states I have lived in, none had such a ban.