Guns in Church

Legislation properly leaves choice to pastors, governing boards

Arkansas is one of 10 states that specifically prohibit concealed handguns in churches. But that could change. This week, the Arkansas Senate approved 28-4 a measure that would lift the ban on concealed handguns in churches.

The proposal does not open church doors to anyone with a concealed carry permit. No indeed. It allows churches to decide whether to allow guns in the congregation.

The bill nows goes to the state House for consideration. And we encourage House members to vote for the bill.

Critics of the proposal say guns do not belong in a place of worship. And we understand the sentiment.

But that’s a decision best left to individual churches.

We can’t say how many churches would allow concealed weapons. No one can. But that doesn’t matter.

What matters is pastors and church governing boards have the option. It’s their property. They should make the decision.

The same should apply to just about any private property owner. We can see the state having an interest in keeping guns out of bars and nightclubs—alcohol and lead seldom mix well. But if you own an office building, cafe, retail store or most any other business, you should be able to decide whether patrons can carry weapons into your establishment.

We know some gun owners might not like that idea. Well, if you have a concealed carry permit and a business owner doesn’t want guns in his or her place, you have a choice—leave your gun in the car or find another business to patronize where the owner is more amenable to concealed weapons. But gun rights should not trump property rights.

This bill gets rid of an arbitrary judgment on the part of state government— that guns do not belong in houses of worship—and replaces it with the common sense of those who run those churches.

And that’s how it should be.