Democracy in America | Gun laws

Prayers and pistols

Georgia’s churches must decide whether to welcome weapons

By M.S.L.J. | MCDONOUGH, GA

“O RIGHTEOUS God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure,” requests Psalm 7:9. Alas, God alone cannot be expected to ensure righteous folk are safe from violence. In the office of Keith McBrayer, the sheriff of Henry Country in Georgia, assembled church leaders yesterday were also asked to do their bit.

The Georgia Safe Carry Protection Act came into effect on July 1st. This means Georgians with certain licences can now carry their guns to a whole host of new places: bars, parts of airports, some government buildings, schools (with special permission) and even churches. But the law is “vague”, according to Sheriff McBrayer. Many are confused over who is, and who is not, allowed to bring a weapon to church. And some, such as your correspondent, are moved to ask why a Magnum might be welcome in church at all.

Churches are not perfect havens of peace. In the 15 years to January there have been more than 780 incidents at American churches or ministries involving deadly force, 58% of which involved guns. A quarter of the violence took place during the course of a robbery. Nearly 380 people died as a result. Baptist groups endured 22% of incidents (more than any other), Catholics 15% and Presbyterians 4%.

Pastor Reed Benson, a retired law-enforcement officer, reckons that preaching and protection go together. He wants churches to train security teams made up of regular members of the congregation. “When I’m visiting your church, I want to be safe. If I don’t feel safe, guess where I won’t be next Sunday,” he says.

But allowing guns into churches raises some complications. First, heat-packing church-goers are not required to conceal their weapons (though a church may ask politely). Second, if a church allows some to pray with a pistol by their side, it may be forced to welcome all legal licence-holders, not simply members of a security team.

Unsurprisingly, some churches would rather keep these weapons out. The Atlanta archdiocese and the diocese of Savannah recently banned guns in Catholic churches and schools because “ways of peace and reconciliation” should prevail. Some church authorities are waiting to see how other groups handle the matter. Ultimately everyone is trying to figure out how best to follow 1 Timothy 6:20: “guard what has been entrusted to your care.”

Dig deeper:

Georgia is for gun-lovers (May 2014)

What are the costs of gun ownership? (July 2014)

Discover more

The fifth Democratic primary debate showed that a cull is overdue

Thinning out the field of Democrats could focus minds on the way to Iowa’s caucuses

The election for Kentucky’s governor will be a referendum on Donald Trump

Matt Bevin, the unpopular incumbent, hopes to survive a formidable challenge by aligning himself with the president


A state court blocks North Carolina’s Republican-friendly map

The gerrymandering fix could help Democrats keep the House in 2020