House's church weapons debate turns theological - WRAL.com

By Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Raleigh, N.C. — A debate over gun rights on church grounds turned theological Thursday in the state House.

House lawmakers were debating House Bill 134, titled the "Second Amendment Protection Act." The omnibus bill includes the House version of a provision to allow concealed weapons on private school grounds during church services.

Most churches in North Carolina can allow concealed or open-carry weapons on their property. But hundreds of churches share a property with an affiliated school, and state law bans weapons on school property.

Sponsor Rep. Jeff McNeely, R-Iredell, said the bill would allow churches to make the decision about whether parishioners and pastoral staff can carry weapons. He said it would apply only to private schools, not public, and it would allow weapons on the property only when students are not at school or attending school activities.

"Concealed carry is predominantly about deterrence," added co-sponsor Rep. Jay Adams, R-Catawba. "If you're in a church and you do not allow concealed carry and you announce that to the public, then you become a target."

Rep. Terry Garrison, D-Vance, questioned the need for weapons.

"If your faith is greater in a gun than in God, then so be it," said Garrison. "If you’re not willing to go into the house of the Lord and have faith that he will protect you, well OK, fine, you have that right. But that is not where I stand as a Christian."

Rep. Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort, reminded members about a 2019 shooting at a Texas church. Two congregation members were killed before a third member shot and killed the attacker.

"My faith in God? Unshakable. But God gives me the right – as a matter of fact, God gives me the responsibility – to protect my family and my loved ones," Kidwell told Garrison.

"God created man," Kidwell added. "Colt made him equal."

Several others also took Garrison's dig personally.

"For me, that’s not a bellwether of your Christian faith. That’s personal," responded Rep. Dean Arp, R-Union. "Please don’t accuse me of not being a Christian because I see evil in the world and can do something to stop it."

"I don’t believe being armed means you don’t trust in the Lord," said Rep Larry Pittman, R-Cabarrus. "You can trust him to guide your aim if need be."

Rep. James Gailliard, D-Nash, is both a pastor and a concealed carry permit holder. He called the premise of the bill "manipulative."

Gailliard cited a survey by an evangelical conservative research group that found that, since 1999, in the 360,000-plus churches in the U.S., there have been only 19 shooting incidents.

"This manipulation of the emotionalism that this is happening every Sunday somewhere is just incorrect," Gailliard said. "We have other and more responsible ways to protect our parishioners."

The measure passed the House 72-44, mostly along party lines, with five rural Democrats joining Republicans in support. It moves next to the Senate, which has already passed its own version of the same proposal.

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