(RNS) The Arkansas Senate has passed a bill that lifts a ban on carrying concealed weapons in church.
The proposal, which goes to the Arkansas House for consideration, would allow churches to decide which, if any, worshippers with concealed carry permits can bring their firearms inside.
The measure passed 28-4 on Monday (Jan. 28), KATV reported.
State Sen. Bryan King, a Republican, said "The Church Protection Act" would provide each church "an individual decision on what they want to do for security," according to Arkansas Online.
Sen. Linda Chesterfield, a Democrat, said she was "trying to wrap my head around how we get Jesus Christ being nonviolent and churches as a house of prayer."
"If there was one person who was antiviolent, it was my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," said Chesterfield, who opposed the measure.
(Doug Stanglin writes for USA Today.)
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