'In God's Hands?' Louisiana House To Vote On Allowing Guns In Churches

[DeSwiss]

'In God's Hands?' Louisiana House To Vote On Allowing Guns In Churches

TPM LiveWire | Jillian Rayfield | May 4, 2010, 2:49PM


Automatic weapons at a Las Vegas gun range


Louisiana state Rep. Henry Burns (R) has introduced a bill in the Louisiana House that would allow churches to institute a "security plan" enabling congregants with concealed weapons permits to carry guns into churches and temples. According to a Burns spokesperson, "we buy fire extinguishers in case there's a fire and allowing churchgoers to carry concealed is just the final stage of security for places of worship."

House Bill 68 would allow a church or temple to authorize an unlimited number of congregation members to bring their guns into church, according to the individual church's own guidelines. Burns' spokesperson Dodie Horton told TPM that the bill is "limited in scope" and "all about choice."

Church leaders could elect to "implement a security plan by using members of their church" who have permits to carry concealed, or they could opt out and not allow guns in at all. She added that even in churches that are part of the security plan, "if someone who is not part of that security plan comes into the church with a gun, they're still breaking the law."

"God gives us locks on our doors," said Horton, adding: "We buy fire extinguishers in case there's a fire." This bill would simply offer a "final stage of security" for those churches that choose it. "It's a security plan, not a free-for-all gun shoot," said Horton.

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/louisiana-house-to-vote-on-allowing-guns-in-churches.php">MORE

Guns Lifted Me! (Sung to the tune of: "Love Lifted Me!")

I was sinking deep in fear, far from the peaceful shore,
Deeply stained my pants within, shitting myself galore,
But the Master-Sargeant Savior, heard my despairing cry,
Gave me guns and ammo, now safe am I.

Guns lifted me! Guns lifted me!
When church-robbers were all about, guns lifted me!
Guns lifted me! Guns lifted me!
I'm pulling my trigger for Jesus in church
Guns -- lift-ed -- me!

=========================================================================================================================
DeSwiss


http://www.atheisttoolbox.com/">The Atheist Toolbox




"The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent,
persuasive, and unrealistic. Belief in myths allows the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." ~ John F. Kennedy

[marmar]

1. Now bow your heads to pray.......OR ELSE !!!!

[DeSwiss]

3. ROFL!

:rofl:

[Kerrytravelers]

6. That's not a 10% tithe!

[John Q. Citizen]

2. God never gave me a lock for my door. I had to get mine at Ace. Crazy talk is crazy talk,

every time.

[DeSwiss]

4. I know!

- Musta been a commandment that fell off when Moses dropped them tablets that time.....

[Cresent City Kid]

5. I saw that in Mel Brooks' "History of the World, Part 1"

Moses came down from the mountain with three tablets.
"God has given us these 15, (crash!) er, 10 commandments!"

[DeSwiss]

8. So it is written.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7tTT8khf0">So shall it be done!

[Angry Dragon]

7. This is plain and simple discrimination

If allowed in churches then all places should be treated the same

[DeSwiss]

9. If would seem.....

...like that's where we're headed.

[metalbot]

14. Actually it's allowed everywhere EXCEPT churches

That's why they want to change the law. Louisiana law allows concealed handgun licenses to carry almost everywhere, with exceptions for schools, bars, and churches. This law simply allows churches to make the decision on their own as to whether or not to allow licensees to carry on their property.

[Nihil]

10. How long before ...

... "A 'church' is not just the building, it is where any group of
people gather to pray ... so this law means we can carry there too.
And, obviously, going to & from prayer."

Next up: Prayer meeting on the seashore that can be combined with
the local response to the oil slick - shoot the m-f!

:patriot:

[DeSwiss]

12. I wouldn't be in the least surprised that they didn't try to stretch it.

- You know how Christians are with their "interpretations."

[metalbot]

15. Um, they can already carry in those places, just not in church...

They can legally carry at the beach, at the park, or in their local Burger King. The church is listed on the current law as a prohibited place where even if you are licensed, and have the invitation of the church, you are not allowed to carry.

[RC]

11. Must not have much faith in their God, huh?

[DeSwiss]

13. Apparently.....

...they put their faith in their Smith & Wesson -- first.

[spin]

16. Nothing unusual about concealed weapons in church ...

The Legal Community Against Violence says 48 states and the District of Columbia allow carrying of concealed weapons. Twelve states and D.C. are "may issue" states, where officials have discretion about whether to grant or deny a concealed-weapon permit, while 34 are "shall issue" states, meaning law-enforcement officials must issue a permit to anyone who meets statutory criteria.

Most states that allow concealed weapons place restrictions on where they can be carried. The majority prohibit weapons in schools, government buildings and places where liquor is served. Fourteen states prohibit concealed weapons in places of worship.
http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9227&Itemid=193

In Florida, for example, this is a list of the places where a person with a concealed carry permit can not carry a weapon. Note that churches are not mentioned.

Possession Restrictions

The following is a list of places where you are restricted from carrying a weapon or firearm even if you have a license. Please note that this is a simplified list. The places marked by an asterisk (*) may have exceptions or additional restrictions. See Section 790.06 (12), Florida Statutes for a complete listing.

o any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05
o any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station
o any detention facility, prison, or jail; any courthouse
o any courtroom*
o any polling place
o any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special district
o any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof
o any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms
o any school administration building
o any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption*
o any elementary or secondary school facility
o any area technical center
o any college or university facility*
o inside the passenger terminal and sterile area of any airport*
o any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law
http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/possession.html

I'm not a church going person, but the last time I was in a church for a wedding I carried. I normally carry everywhere I am permitted. It beats leaving the firearm in my car.

[DeSwiss]

17. Just one more good reason.....

...to stay out of churches as far as I'm concerned. Or any other religious institutional edifice. That's pushing the odds a little too much in my book. Besides, I always prefer not to be in the company of armed, irrational and scared people.

- The same people who claim in their beliefs that they can't wait to leave here for this wonderful place called "heaven."

[spin]

18. Concealed carry is common in Florida ...

It's easy to imagine that people who legally carry concealed are "armed, irrational and scared people". I can understand that, however it paints a large group of people with a broad brush. Stereotyping is foolish but fun.

However, the statistics prove that those who qualify for a concealed carry permit commit far less violent crime than any other group of people including police.

Florida, which is the state with the highest number of people who have concealed weapons permits publishes a monthly summary report on concealed carry. This report can be reviewed at http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/stats/cw_monthly.html

Over the 22 year period of time from October 1, 1987 to April 30, 2010, a total of 1,766,068 concealed carry permits were issued with 718,270 currently active. Only 167 licenses were revoked for a crime involving a firearm committed after the license was issued.

A thorough criminal background check is conducted before a license is issued and the license will NOT be issued if a history of criminal, violent or irrational behavior is found. This may explain the low level of violent crime among those with carry permits.

[DeSwiss]

21. Listen....

...because I'm only going to say this once. People who buy guns for "protection" do so because they're scared. Period. You can create any myth or any rationale for being armed that you want. But this is the truth. Scared. Of. Dying.

Okay?

- That's no stereotype. And people who believe in Yahweh are irrational. So everything I said is a fact.

[spin]

22. Why should I be scared ...

I am prepared to react whatever the situation. I am armed and have years of experience in using a firearm.

I also have training in judo and Jujutsu.

I practice "situational awareness" and am alert to my surroundings. I avoid situations that might be foolish and dangerous. I have absolutely no desire to prove my "manliness" and will walk away from an encounter even if it makes me look like a coward.

I also am smart enough to realize that all my experience with firearms and my training in the martial arts is absolutely no guarantee that I will survive an attack without injury or possibly death. You can do everything right and still end up dead.

But that presents no problem. My research has shown that (1) you die and that's it (2) you die. I personally believe that there is a possibility of life after death. It's improvable and will remain so. If so, the concept of hell seems impossible unless you were an EXTREMELY evil person and even then unlikely. If there is "life" after death than to me the lesson would be to learn from your mistakes and in another life to learn more.

But the life we have might be to only one we get. If so, I don't plan to leave it unnecessarily as it's enjoyable and worthwhile. I prefer to be prepared to take whatever action is necessary to extend the time I have here to live and experience all the enjoyment. If someone attacks me with the intention of severely injuring or killing me, I would like the opportunity to deter his efforts.

If I fail, so be it. At least I can die knowing that I was prepared and tried even though I was unsuccessful. If I die, I feel confident that a creator (if one exists) will not hold my efforts against me. If a creator doesn't exist it matters not. I just fade into nothing. No big deal. There is no pain, sorrow or regret in dying if nothing further exists.

I realize that death is inevitable and after watching my uncle in intensive care for three months and spending three months being cared for by a close relative before he finally died, I would actually prefer to die quickly and easily.

Yahweh, the Bible and other religions may merely be an effort by a creator (if one does exist) to guide individuals toward a rewarding life.

As one wise individual once told me, "If you watch the cattle in a field they use many paths to return to the barn."

[rrneck]

24. Scared. Of. Dying. You say that like it's a bad thing. nt

[DeSwiss]

26. Heck no!!!

- It's as inevitable as the next heartbeat.....

[eqfan592]

27. A statement born of pure ignorance.

Sadly, too many such statements are made from the so-called "enlightened" members of the DU. Please, actually learn about the subject material. Maybe try talking to somebody withe a permit. Because you're so obviously ignorant of both of these things it's laughable, and that you are attempting to comment on the subject from such an ignorant vantage point does not speak well of you.

[Nihil]

25. Ummm ... are you sure about that?

> In Florida, for example, this is a list of the places where
> a person with a concealed carry permit can not carry a weapon.
> Note that churches are not mentioned.

>> o any place of nuisance ...

:hide:

[ZombieHorde]

19. ...

[DeSwiss]

20. Ha-ha. Yes!

[DeSwiss]

23. Church Gun Bill Shot Down In Louisiana House

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/07/church-gun-bill-shot-down_n_568503.html">Church Gun Bill Shot Down In Louisiana House