Democrats’ bill seeks to jail Alabamians for bringing guns to church

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January 26, 2015

If there are two things most Alabamians feel strongly about (not counting Alabama and Auburn), it’s their church and their right to bear arms.

Reps. Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville), and Darrio Melton (D-Selma) want to make it illegal to carry a gun into any church in Alabama, even with a concealed carry permit.

Churches are currently able to decide their own regulations—any church can post signs banning weapons on their property. While banning guns on church property, the bill would also allow churches to give permission to its congregation to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

Though he admits that he doesn’t know of any instances of unwanted guns in the church, Rep. Jackson said it’s just not a thing people should have to worry about, so it should be prohibited by law.

Rep. Jackson also concedes that passage of this bill is a long shot. “I figured it wouldn’t go anywhere but at least it will get some conversation,” Jackson said.

With only 33 seats in the State House of Representatives, Democrats would need at least 21 Republicans to vote with them to pass the bill—a feat that is almost certainly impossible.

The chairman of the House Public Safety and Homeland Security committee, Rep. Randy Wood (R-Anniston) said he would “give the bill a fair shake” in his committee, though he opposes it.

Should Reps. Jackson and Melton pull it off, carrying a gun in church would be a class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 3 months in jail, and a fine of more than $500.

In 2013, the Republican-led Alabama legislature passed clarifications of the state’s gun laws, including allowing Sheriffs to give concealed carry permits valid for up to five years, and allowing employees with such permits to keep guns in their cars while at work. The bill would add churches to the list of places where firearms are prohibited unless “permission from the person or entity in charge” is received.

The Alabama state legislature will convene for the 2015 session on March 3rd.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that guns are illegal in public buildings and schools. There are some government buildings in which guns are allowed, and those with concealed carry permits are able to wear concealed weapons on school property. Alabama’s gun regulations can be found here.