Georgia Prohibition on Carry in Church Upheld

[vvvvvvv]

http://volokh.com/2011/01/24/distri...-into-church-even-with-the-churchs-permission

"Defendants’ third objective, protecting the free exercise of religion, is an important governmental interest. The free exercise right is enshrined in the First Amendment to our Constitution. Although the Constitution protects a person’s right to free exercise only against governmental intrusion, it is clear that the protection of religious freedom against private bias or coercion is also an important governmental goal. See, e.g., 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a) (prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of religion). Prohibiting the carrying of firearms in a place of worship bears a substantial relationship to that important goal by protecting attendees from the fear or threat of intimidation or armed attack." (my emphasis)

 

[joshuasmaximus]

It seems like the court is implying that carrying fire arms intrinsically brings with it the "fear or threat of intimidation or armed attack". This is a weak position for the court to take because it implies there are some places where it is OK for people to be subjected to the same fear and intimidation from the mere presence of a firearm.