Gun In Worship Service Permissable According To Cuccinelli

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says it is lawful in Virginia to carry a weapon into a worship service for personal protection.

But he also says a place of worship can restrict or ban firearms from its premises.

Cuccinelli released the opinion in response to a question from Del. Mark L. Cole, R-Spotsylvania.

Cole asked whether it is permissible for someone to carry a firearm into a place of worship for personal safety under a law that requires a "good and sufficient reason" to do so during a service.

"With respect to your second question, the church can ban guns on its property if it so chooses," Cuccinelli said.

He said the Constitution of Virginia protects the right to bear arms, "but it also recognizes the importance of property rights. Moreover, the Second Amendment acts as a restraint on government, not private parties."

Therefore, he said, "churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious entities can, like any other owner of property, restrict or ban the carrying of weapons onto their private property."

Source; timesdispatch.com http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/apr/11/cuccinelli-gun-in-church-ok-for-personal-protectio-ar-965170/