Arkansas approves Bill

[xfrostybeersx]

So in Arkansas you are now allowed to carry in churches. 1 of 8 states allowing it. Heard on the radio for personal protection or if you were part of church security.

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

Is Indiana one of these states?

 

[Mark 1911]

Indiana Code does not list churches as off limits for carry. My church has a grade school on the property and the school is actually attached to the church. So because of the school being on church property, I assume that my church is off limits for carry.

 

[You'll shoot your eye out]

One of eight states allowing carrying a gun in church? There is a law ANYWHERE prohibiting guns in church? I have to wonder about the legal rationalization or legal grounds for that.

 

[Doug]

So in Arkansas you are now allowed to carry in churches. 1 of 8 states allowing it. Heard on the radio for personal protection or if you were part of church security.

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

Is Indiana one of these states?

Technically, no.
Indiana does not ALLOW carrying firearms in church.
It just doesn't prohibit carrying in church.
As I understand it, unless your church has a licensed daycare or preschool, it is legal to carry there. Of course, if a person who is in an appropriate position of authority in the church asks you leave, you must comply.

 

[Mark 1911]

One of eight states allowing carrying a gun in church? There is a law ANYWHERE prohibiting guns in church? I have to wonder about the legal rationalization or legal grounds for that.

Yes, some states do list "places of worship" as off limits. Indiana does not.

 

[netsecurity]

oops wrong post

 

[xfrostybeersx]

Of course, if a person who is in an appropriate position of authority in the church asks you leave, you must comply.

Well good thing I'm on Security Team and a Deacon in the church....... So, I'm not really gonna tell myself to leave. Hehe

I also already asked my Pastor if he felt comfortable with me carrying and he said he was fine with it and that he would take a bullet of me too.

 

[Jack Burton]

I would suspect there are far more than just eight states that allow CCW in churches.

 

[mrortega]

Indiana Code does not list churches as off limits for carry. My church has a grade school on the property and the school is actually attached to the church. So because of the school being on church property, I assume that my church is off limits for carry.

This is dicey. Is the church proper not a school or is it considered as part of the school campus? Which came first on the property, the church or school? We need a court ruling since the legislature hasn't made it 100% clear. I would like a church and a direct route from wherever you have to park your vehicle to be ruled "not a school." Any potential test cases out there? Anyone? Anyone?

 

[Bill of Rights]

This is dicey. Is the church proper not a school or is it considered as part of the school campus? Which came first on the property, the church or school? We need a court ruling since the legislature hasn't made it 100% clear. I would like a church and a direct route from wherever you have to park your vehicle to be ruled "not a school." Any potential test cases out there? Anyone? Anyone?

No test cases, but this bill was introduced: Introduced Version, House Bill 1473
Sadly, it looks like our current Speaker of the House, Rep. Brian Bosma, and the current Public Policy committee chairman, Rep. Bill Davis, are willing to let it die in committee.

 

[Maximinus Thrax]

This is dicey. Is the church proper not a school or is it considered as part of the school campus? Which came first on the property, the church or school? We need a court ruling since the legislature hasn't made it 100% clear. I would like a church and a direct route from wherever you have to park your vehicle to be ruled "not a school." Any potential test cases out there? Anyone? Anyone?

My pastor interprets it as being on the school campus. Partly because the school uses the main church building throughout the week. That being the case he is putting together a training program with the help of a retired cop before several of us start carrying.

 

[Mustang380gal]

Yes, some states do list "places of worship" as off limits. Indiana does not.

Ohio is one of those, but the law allows carry "with permission". It doesn't specify who can give permission explicitly, or if it can be verbal, so it's a potential trap.

Someday, maybe the law will be changed for the saner.

 

[griffin]

One of eight states allowing carrying a gun in church? There is a law ANYWHERE prohibiting guns in church?

Michigan prohibits CC in church without permission. OC is okay.

 

[Scutter01]

This is dicey. Is the church proper not a school or is it considered as part of the school campus? Which came first on the property, the church or school? We need a court ruling since the legislature hasn't made it 100% clear. I would like a church and a direct route from wherever you have to park your vehicle to be ruled "not a school." Any potential test cases out there? Anyone? Anyone?

IC 35-47-9-1
Exemptions from chapter
Sec. 1. This chapter does not apply to the following:
(1) A:
(A) federal;
(B) state; or
(C) local;
law enforcement officer.
(2) A person who has been employed or authorized by:
(A) a school; or
(B) another person who owns or operates property being used by a school for a school function;
to act as a security guard, perform or participate in a school function, or participate in any other activity authorized by a school.
(3) A person who:
(A) may legally possess a firearm; and
(B) possesses the firearm in a motor vehicle that is being operated by the person to transport another person to or from a school or a school function.
As added by P.L.140-1994, SEC.11.

So, all you need is the permission of the church and it doesn't matter if it's a school or not.

As an aside, I note that the law says "authorized by a person who operates preperty being used by a school, not the school. While I don't seriously think it would fly in court, the letter of the law suggests that if your church runs a school, then your pastor could technically authorize you to carry at any school in the state.

 

[sidewinder27]

Technically, no.
Indiana does not ALLOW carrying firearms in church.
It just doesn't prohibit carrying in church.
As I understand it, unless your church has a licensed daycare or preschool, it is legal to carry there. Of course, if a person who is in an appropriate position of authority in the church asks you leave, you must comply.

If one person at a church has that authority then its not a church worth going to. I wont go any further since I don't care to argue doctrine.

 

[Doug]

If one person at a church has that authority then its not a church worth going to. I wont go any further since I don't care to argue doctrine.

I don't see it as a matter of doctrine. I see it as a legal question.

I see it as who has legal authority to represent the church in a court or legal proceedings. That person will, I assume, be designated in whatever legal papers exist to bring a "church" into being as a legal entity.