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New Louisiana Law OKs Concealed Guns in Church

By Jason Beahm on July 09, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Preparing for church?

Sunday clothes - check

Book of hymns - check

Handgun - wait, what?

Supporters of gun control are questioning a new Louisiana law which allows guns in church statewide unless the church bans guns. Governor Bobby Jindal signed the new law, which will go into effect on August 15, overturning a state ban. Now guns will be legal inside churches, synagogues and mosques. The new law will not apply to churches located on school property.

Some say the new law will keep people safer. For example, late term abortion provider Dr. George Tiller was killed by a man with a gun in church. Perhaps if other members of the congregation had been armed, they could have shot Dr. Tiller's killer, Scott Roeder, first. Jindal's spokesman says that the governor is simply upholding the constitution. "He sides with the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners."

Republican state Rep. Henry Burns, who created the legislation, argues that houses of worship in dangerous areas need guns allowed in order to protect the members of the church. The new legislation will allow church officials to incorporate the use of concealed weapons into their church security plans.

Opponents say it is lunacy and bad taste to allow guns in a place of worship.

Ladd Everitt, a spokesman for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence says the passage of the new law marks a shift in morality and ethics. "We are seeing the NRA moving us to vigilante-type justice with little accountability." Everitt believes that safety should be handled by police and courts, not by armed citizens.

Laura Cutilletta, a senior staff attorney Legal Community Against Violence said in a written statement to FoxNews.com. "...more guns create more opportunity for injury and death. Houses of worship should be places where families and others can worship in peace without worry that their safety will be jeopardized by the accidental, or intentional, use of a gun."

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