Bill allowing concealed guns in churches pulled
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The limited right to carry concealed handguns into churches will have to wait until at least next year.
State Sen. Dale Erdey voluntarily withdrew his proposal Tuesday that would have allowed security officials to carry concealed handguns into places of worship.
Erdey’s Senate Bill 291 had breezed through the Senate unopposed. But the Livingston Republican told the House Criminal Justice Committee that too many questions remain unanswered regarding liability issues and legal wording.
Erdey said he will request a Senate study resolution on the topic and possibly return the legislation next year.
He also said he is considering another form of the legislation that would allow anyone with concealed carry permits to bring handguns into churches.
Erdey said his legislation initially came about from requests by ministers, some of whom were concerned about the string of shootings in churches in recent years.
“It’s a sad day in Louisiana and the rest of the nation when we have to talk about allowing guns in churches and defending the congregation,” Erdey said Tuesday.
Current law bans firearms in places of worship except for law enforcement.
Erdey’s law would have allowed security guards with concealed carry licenses to bring firearms into churches, synagogues and mosques.
The legislation had been amended to require that security guards on-duty with guns in churches complete a reserve academy training program conducted by local law enforcement.
Erdey said he had concerns about churches with security teams having issues with increased insurance premiums.
Other questions were still up in the air about what exactly defines a church or place of worship and how broadly that could be interpreted by extremist groups, he said.
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