Senate Bill 33 would allow legal gun owners to carry guns on school property if the property is also a church and the holder is attending a worship service, working or volunteering at the church.
Guns are already allowed in churches without schools and in schools when authorized by school boards.
Supporters say the bill will give churches that happen to have schools on their campuses the same rights and ability to protect their congregation as churches without schools.
"Because of the way the law is written, we can do nothing to defend ourselves," said Ron Davault, executive director of operations for Southport Presbyterian Church."All we can do is hire law enforcement to stand guard. That’s expensive."
In addition to being the church, Southport Presbyterian also has a Christian school on its campus.
Guns are already allowed in churches without schools and in schools when authorized by school boards.
Supporters say the bill will give churches that happen to have schools on their campuses the same rights and ability to protect their congregation as churches without schools.
"Because of the way the law is written, we can do nothing to defend ourselves," said Ron Davault, executive director of operations for Southport Presbyterian Church."All we can do is hire law enforcement to stand guard. That’s expensive."
In addition to being the church, Southport Presbyterian also has a Christian school on its campus.
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