One year after murder of IL pastor, more can be done to defend churches against killers

     Oleg Volk photo (click photo to enlarge)

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This past Sunday, Cindy Winters recounted the horror of one year ago, when a deranged man entered a Maryville, IL (just across the river from St. Louis) church, and fatally shot her husband, Pastor Fred Winters. 

Three services usually are held. It was during the 8:15 a.m. service that Terry Joe Sedlacek, a stranger to the church, walked down the aisle to the edge of the stage where the Rev. Fred Winters, 45, was preaching and began shooting. Worshippers grabbed the shooter, but it was too late.

A judge has found that Sedlacek, 28, of nearby Troy, is schizophrenic and mentally unfit to stand trial.

Could an armed congregant or church official have stopped the killer sooner?  We will never know, because Illinois remains one of two states (Wisconsin is the other) with no provision for legal carry of a concealed defensive firearm.  Even in many states that do not generally prohibit handgun carry, it is illegal in churches, even with a permit.

Missouri law does not prohibit church carry, if the church has given permission (I am, by the way, for purposes of this article, using the word "church" in the generic sense, to refer to a house of worship of any faith).  From Missouri's list of places where firearm carry is prohibted:

(14) Any church or other place of religious worship without the consent of the minister or person or persons representing the religious organization that exercises control over the place of religious worship. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises

Missouri law on this issue could be further relaxed.  If I am reading HB 1232 correctly, passage of the bill would mean that even people without concealed carry permits could openly carry a firearm in a church.  Given my aversion to the licensing of fundamental rights, such as the right to an effective means of self-defense, I see this bill as a step in the right direction.

Even Illinois, of all places, is considering legislation that would give churches some degree of latitude in defense against killers.  HB 5690 would permit churches to hire armed security guards, with some qualifications.

Churches are typically thought of as sacntuaries, as they should be.  As sacntuaries, though, they are worthy of defending from those who would turn them into a slaughterhouse.

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Illinois residents, don't forget Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day (IGOLD) in Springfield tomorrow.