Severe storms are rolling through central Minnesota including the Twin Cities

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

(AP) - Churches can ban guns from their property, and
they don't have to follow a state law that sets out requirements
for posting signs that say guns are prohibited, the Minnesota Court
of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

      The ruling by a three-judge panel also said churches can ban
guns in their parking lots, day-care centers and other charitable,
educational and nonprofit facilities they own.

      It was a victory for two churches that sued to challenge part of
the 2005 state law that allows residents with permits to carry
concealed handguns.

      Edina Community Lutheran Church and Unity Church of St. Paul had
argued that the law placed an undue burden on churches and
infringed on their property rights.

      The state argued that the restrictions imposed only a minimal
burden on the religious institutions.

      Tuesday's decision, which mostly affirmed a lower-court
decision, allows Edina Community Lutheran Church to continue
barring guns with signs saying, "Blessed are the peacemakers.
Firearms are prohibited in this place of sanctuary" rather than
using the language set down by law. Other churches can choose their
own wording.

      The ruling was written by Appeals Judge David Minge and was also
signed by judges Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks and Terri Stoneburner.

      The 2005 law requires the state to issue handgun permits to
citizens who pass background checks and take the required safety
course. It also contains rules on signs banning guns from private
establishments, including detailed requirements for the wording,
typeface, color, size, distance from the entrance and height from
the floor.
      

Gallery

Gun law reaches one-year mark

Judge expands order on churches' rights to ban guns

House passes handgun permit bill, sends to governor

The Minnesota Court of Appeals says churches can
ban guns from their property, and they don't have to follow a state law specifying how to post signs that say guns are prohibited.

Appeals Court says churches can ban guns without posting signs

Go Deeper.

Like this?