Georgia minister sues to be allowed to carry a gun in his own church ...

[spin]

Upson guns-in-church case lands in federal court
Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010

A minister’s fight to bring a gun to his Upson County church is now a federal case in Macon.

State and Upson County officials had the case moved to the U.S. District Court in Macon on Friday. The case garnered national news coverage when it was first filed a month ago in Upson County Superior Court by the Rev. Jonathan Wilkins of the Baptist Tabernacle of Thomaston, which is partnering with GeorgiaCarry.org Inc. on the lawsuit. Wilkins said he has a constitutional right to be armed in church, which is now prohibited under state law.

The case was filed shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court clarified an individual’s right to bear arms. Wilkins’ attorney, John R. Monroe of Roswell, said the case depends more on Wilkins’ First Amendment right to freely worship than his Second Amendment right to bear arms.

“It’s difficult to imagine how a law that permits a certain behavior throughout the state but prohibits it in church would stand constitutional muster,” Monroe said.

The lawsuit argues that Wilkins often works alone in the Tabernacle building and would “like to carry a handgun while in the Tabernacle’s place of worship for the protection of his flock, his family, and himself, but he is in fear of arrest and prosecution under (state law) for doing so.”

The case is trying to overturn a portion of a state law that bans people from “carrying a weapon or long gun” in a place of worship. The law also covers government buildings, mental hospitals and bars, but those other locations are not being challenged under this lawsuit.
http://www.macon.com/2010/08/17/1231395/guns-in-church-case-lands-in-federal.html

[Ezlivin]

1. And, lo, ye shall holster thy weapon before the Lord thy God

[spin]

3. Interesting picture ...

Those robes Jesus is wearing would make concealed carry easy. He could conceal both the handgun and the rifle under them.

[PavePusher]

5. Cool, I've got the same guns Jesus has.

I always knew he had good taste...

[Bold Lib]

6. Is that a Colt Combat Elite?

[PavePusher]

7. Not sure...

but it's certainly a 1911.

Proper hand-gun of all demi-gods, dontchyaknow...

[pscot]

2. Absolutely.

Guns are a kind of religion; certainly a form of True Belief, in Eric Hoffer's sense.

[PavePusher]

4. Reeeaalllly?

:tinfoilhat: Please, loosen that hat and get some circulation going...

[spin]

11. I don't believe that guns are a religion, but I do feel religion often uses guns ...

against those who disagree with their beliefs.

Using firearms is a martial art. Those who oppose RKBA and dislike gun owners could fairly point out that often a student in a oriental martial art has converted to an eastern religion because their particular art was heavily influenced by the spirituality of the religion.

Some extreme Christian groups do favor gun ownership, but I have met very few guns owners who couldn't separate their religion from their hobby. In fact, most of the regular shooters that I have known have not been religious at all.

There are some "commandments" for safely using a firearm. I guess you could easily make those into a religion, but it would be limited and would fail to deal with most of the problems humans face.

And Charlton Heston journeyed up the mountain and returned with two metal targets with these ten commandments punched out by rounds from a Barrett 50 caliber sniper rifle at a range of 3000 yards.

1. Thou shalt always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
2. Thou shalt unload your firearms when not actually in use.
3. Thou shalt never rely on your gun's safety.
4. Thou shalt be sure of your target and what's beyond it.
5. Thou shalt use proper ammunition.
6. If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, Thou shalt handle it with care.
7. Thou shalt always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
8. Thou shalt be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.
9. Thou shalt be careful of altering or modifying your gun so as to render it unsafe and have it serviced regularly.
10. Thou shalt learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.

[Euromutt]

8. Strikes me it should be up to the individual church whether to permit guns or not

Ostensibly, of course, a church is a "house of God" but unless and until God files an amicus brief indicating His preference, I should think that whoever operates and pays the bills for the joint gets to decide policy on firearms.

Note that bringing firearms to church is hardly unheard of in American history. The New England Puritan tradition of having the men leave the church ("meeting house") before the women and children stems from the fact that the men all came to worship armed, and left first in the event that bandits, Indians, pirates or (later) British troops had showed up during the service.

[Bold Lib]

9. Correct.

[spin]

10. The bit of history about Puritan men leaving church before women and children ...

was fascinating. Thanks.