Community Corner
Weigh In: Would Guns Keep You out of Church?
Upcoming legislation might allow guns in church. If it does, would you continue to go? Some of these answers might surprise you.
“A man comes in with an AK-47 and opens fire on the entire congregation, killing several and wounding more, as he was reloading my friend stood up; 'cause he always carries a pistol, he stood up and shot the terrorist, ending the threat and saving who knows how many more lives in this church. What would you do to protect yourself and your family, and your friends, if a man like that came into your church?”
This is the calculating question that Pastor Joe Morecraft of Chalcedon Presbyterian Church in Cumming asks the citizens of Georgia regarding House Bill 54, which supports individuals carrying guns in church. Rep. Bobby Franklin of Cobb County introduced the bill.
Morecraft released a YouTube video recalling the horrific events that took place at a South African church. Although Morecraft did not experience that grief in person, he used his friend's experience as a testimony, supporting his views on why the bill should pass.
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H.B. 54 did not make it out of committee in time to pass this year but remains in consideration for the 2012 General Assembly session.
Even though they share the Atlanta region with Cumming, Holly Springs and Hickory Flat residents aren't convinced that guns should be allowed in churches.
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Chris Wheeler of Cherokee County said he does not support the bill because guns are already in enough places.
“For every good person that tries to protect themselves, there is a handful of others that serve a potential threat like Jared Loughner,” Wheeler said.
Loughner is charged with the Jan. 8 shooting attack in Tucson, AZ, that critically wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed six people, including federal Judge John Roll.
According to WorldNetDaily.com (WND), the current law known as the Common Sense Lawful Carry Act (S.B. 308) prohibits guns in government buildings, courthouses, prison, schools, nuclear facilities, mental health institutions and places of worship.
Wheeler said that if H.B. 54 passes, he will not attend church. “I would not go to a church where they allow people to carry weapons; it should be a safe place, a place for healing.”
Wheeler also said that if churches need security, they should hire professional security.