Jimmie E. Gates

Clarion Ledger

Gov. Phil Bryant has signed into law the Mississippi Church Protection Act to allow churches to legally have armed security if they choose.

Bryant signed House Bill 786 on Friday.

Bryant said in a Twitter post he signed the bill because "churches deserve protection from those who would harm worshippers."

State Rep. Andy Gipson, who authored the bill and is a ministe, has said ."I wish we lived in a world where this bill wouldn't be necessary."

During debate in the House, state Rep. John Hines, D-Greenville, said the bill isn't needed. He said it has the potential to create more of a problem, asking rhetorically what would happen if a child took a toy gun to church and a security person mistook it for a weapon and hurt the child?

The Mississippi Police Chiefs Association has express concerns about the bill, saying it will do away with a license to carry a concealed handgun in public and would put law enforcement and all Mississippians in harm's way.

Gipson, R-Braxton, said legislation is already in effect to allow a person to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. He said House Bill 786 only clarifies that a handgun can be carried in a sheath, belt holster, or shoulder holster as opposed to sticking it into a pocket. Gipson said the bill calls for trained security personnel.

The Police Chiefs Association says the bill would lower the bar for who can carry a concealed, loaded gun in public to include violent criminals, some severely mentally ill people, and chronic alcoholics.

Related: Group opposes bill

Contact Jimmie E. Gates at (601) 961-7212 or jgates@jackison.gannett.com. Follow @jgatesnews on Twitter.

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