Concealed Carry, guns do not belong in churches: Rev Raphael Warnock
“I had to go to the Capitol yesterday because they decided what we really need is more guns and more access to guns by more people in more places,” Warnock said. “So, somebody decided that they had the bright idea to pass a piece of legislation that would allow guns and concealed weapons to be carried in churches. Have you ever been to a church meeting? That’s the last place—” NYPOST reported what Rev Raphael Warnock said in 2014.
A recent NRA video shows his remarks:
He is referring to the Georgia law Safe Carry Protection Act of 2014 that allows self defense weapons in church but with conditions and exceptions.. But the Georgia law that applies to places of worship is limited as uslawshield further explains. .
“Carrying a firearm in a place of worship is legal for Weapons Carry License holders only when the place of worship has given express permission to carry. Otherwise, it is still a violation of the law.”…. the law, Georgia Code Title 16. Crimes and Offenses § 16-11-127 states that guns are prohibited…”In a place of worship, unless the governing body or authority of the place of worship permits the carrying of weapons or long guns by license holders:”
In 2018, Rev Warnock invoked Dr. Martin Luther King as his hero whose movement opened up opportunities for Blacks in America, including fundings for education. His distaste for guns comes in part from the life and death of Dr. King.
“We’ve got more guns in America than there are people. Don’t ever forget that Dr. King was himself the victim of gun violence. And know that his own beloved mother, just a few short years later, was shot and killed in our sanctuary by a deranged young man who had a gun and no mental health care, while she was praying the Lord’s Prayer. Playing it on the organ. Killed her and one of our deacons, Deacon (Edward) Boykin. It would have been a bloodbath in 1974 if he had had an AR 15.
So I’m proud of these young people who are standing up in the Black Lives Matter movement and in the March for Our Lives and in the Me Too movement.,…His speech in full here
But that argument goes both ways, some argue. Had churchgoers been armed, could one have saved. Ms King and Mr Boykin?
Rev Warnock has also derided the violence of war, earlier stating that one cannot serve God and the Military as Allen West pointed out.