Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Guns In Churches: Arkansas Senate Approves Bill To Allow Concealed Firearms In Churches

The Arkansas state Senate voted Monday by a margin of 28-4 to pass a bill that would allow concealed guns in churches, reports ABC local affiliate KATV.

The bill, called the Church Protection Act of 2013 (SB 71), was authored by Arkansas state Sen. Bryan King (R-Green Forest) and would repeal the current ban on concealed handguns in churches or other places of worship.

From the bill:

    It is found and determined by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that personal security is increasingly important; that the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States ensures a person's right to bear arms; and that this act is immediately necessary because a person should be allowed to carry a firearm in a church that permits the carrying of a firearm for personal security.

If the bill becomes law, only those with a permit for concealed carry would be allowed to bring a gun inside Arkansas' churches. And even so, individual churches will have the freedom to decide for themselves whether or not to allow firearms inside their doors.

"I can't imagine the need to bring a gun into a church. I just think thats unnecessary, and I think it sends a terrible message," said Rev. Walter Van Zandt Windsor, pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church in Pine Bluff, Ark., during a phone interview with The Huffington Post. "Religion can be an emotional thing in people's lives. I would hate to see guns present when people's emotions are running high."

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, a Democrat, has indicated he'll sign the bill into law if given the chance, according to the Associated Press. Before passing to Beebe, the bill must proceed through the House of Representatives.

Sen. King tried to pass similar legislation in 2011, but the measure was defeated by the state Senate. Similarly, in 2009, a bill sponsored by a different Arkansas representative sought to allow guns in churches but was defeated in the Senate after passing the House.

State Sen. Bryan King did not immediately return a request for comment.

Original Article
Source: huffington post
Author: Hunter Stuart

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