Ruling Exempts Churches From ‘Guns Banned’ Signs

  • jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    #209813

    Basically a non-ruling on a non-issue, since there are hardly any more signs up anyway. I wish these people would go away…..

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    Nov 15, 2006 12:49 pm US/Central

    Ruling Exempts Churches From ‘Guns Banned’ Signs

    (AP) St. Paul Minnesota churches aren’t bound by a state law requiring them to either post a sign or verbally inform people that concealed handguns are barred from their parking lots and sanctuaries, a judge has ruled.

    Hennepin County District Court Judge William Howard issued a permanent injunction Tuesday freeing religious institutions from the law’s requirements. He extended a temporary order put in place by another judge last year.

    “Plaintiffs may prohibit firearms on all of their properties used for religious purposes, and may do so in any lawful manner,” Howard wrote in his ruling.

    David Lillehaug, a lawyer for an Edina church that was part of the case, said the injunction is the latest in a string of rulings made in favor of religious institutions.

    “Religious institutions have the complete right to ban firearms from their properties and to notify others of the ban as the religious institutions see fit,” he said. “The rules that apply to commercial property don’t apply to religious institutions.”

    The handgun law allows people at least 21 years old with a clean record, no mental illness and proper training to get a permit to carry a gun.

    Property owners that want to keep guns out must give notice individually to people entering their buildings or put up a specifically worded sign.

    The lawsuit challenged a 2005 law the Legislature passed to replace a 2003 version struck down by the courts on a technicality. The earlier law required businesses, churches and property owners to use both forms of notification if they wanted to ban guns.

    Prior to 2003, local law enforcement authorities had more say over who received a permit.

    The Edina Community Lutheran Church and the Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul, which were involved in challenges to the earlier version, said the newer law still interfered with religious beliefs. They said the requirements dictated how they communicate with members, visitors and employees.

    A spokeswoman with the state attorney general’s office said wouldn’t say whether the state will appeal the decision. Amy Brendmoen said the office is reviewing the decision and considering its options.

    (© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    #25044

    Quote:


    “Religious institutions have the complete right to ban firearms from their properties and to notify others of the ban as the religious institutions see fit,” he said. “The rules that apply to commercial property don’t apply to religious institutions.”


    I hope someone with more time on their hands than me, files a lawsuit to totally remove that part of the law. If the churches don’t have to put up a sign, then businesses and property owner shouldn’t have to either!

    Funny how many places went scurrying to put up signs only to have guys like me walk in and say “I won’t do business here until you take that down”. Only places I see with the signs now are banks and Post Offices. I applaud business like Target Corp and Fleet Farm for bucking the trend and setting the good example. That will not be soon forgotten!

    -J.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    #499824

    Quote:


    “Religious institutions have the complete right to ban firearms from their properties and to notify others of the ban as the religious institutions see fit,” he said. “The rules that apply to commercial property don’t apply to religious institutions.”


    I hope someone with more time on their hands than me, files a lawsuit to totally remove that part of the law. If the churches don’t have to put up a sign, then businesses and property owner shouldn’t have to either!

    Funny how many places went scurrying to put up signs only to have guys like me walk in and say “I won’t do business here until you take that down”. Only places I see with the signs now are banks and Post Offices. I applaud business like Target Corp and Fleet Farm for bucking the trend and setting the good example. That will not be soon forgotten!

    -J.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #25049

    Don’t forget casinos!

    Jon, it’s not clear to me…how is a person to know if firearms are banned a a church if they don’t put up a sign or tell them???

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #499832

    Don’t forget casinos!

    Jon, it’s not clear to me…how is a person to know if firearms are banned a a church if they don’t put up a sign or tell them???

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    #25053

    Look, let’s face it. They filed the lawsuit with the intensions to have the entire law tossed out. They only got one part changed. Technically they won….errr, I mean lost…..errr, I mean won????

    -J.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    #499839

    Look, let’s face it. They filed the lawsuit with the intensions to have the entire law tossed out. They only got one part changed. Technically they won….errr, I mean lost…..errr, I mean won????

    -J.

    MrTwister
    Dubuque, Iowa
    Posts: 100
    #25054

    As a preacher I strongly encourage people not to bring their firearms to Church. I have had a few weddings where I wondered.

    Now if I could get them to leave the rotten tomatoes at home …

    Also, is it me or does this sound like the set up to a “redneck” joke.

    Mr Twister

    MrTwister
    Dubuque, Iowa
    Posts: 100
    #499840

    As a preacher I strongly encourage people not to bring their firearms to Church. I have had a few weddings where I wondered.

    Now if I could get them to leave the rotten tomatoes at home …

    Also, is it me or does this sound like the set up to a “redneck” joke.

    Mr Twister

    theodorenugget
    Sugar Land, TX
    Posts: 609
    #25080

    Those signs are extremely valuable in keeping the bad guys out. I’m so thankful they are there. Especially churches ! Bad guys never go in & shoot people in church.

    Ignorance.. No different from the same sheep of a person you see on the news saying “Who would have ever thought it would happen in my ________________ (insert place here; example…church, neighborhood, town, and the list goes on and on)

    theodorenugget
    Sugar Land, TX
    Posts: 609
    #499934

    Those signs are extremely valuable in keeping the bad guys out. I’m so thankful they are there. Especially churches ! Bad guys never go in & shoot people in church.

    Ignorance.. No different from the same sheep of a person you see on the news saying “Who would have ever thought it would happen in my ________________ (insert place here; example…church, neighborhood, town, and the list goes on and on)

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