Carter Addresses Concerns About Church Carry Bill

House Speaker Davy Carter doesn't speak out often. He usually endures a mini-offensive of questions from reporters after every House session. But he felt compelled to speak Friday.

"I do want to make a point on this guns in church bill.," Carter said. "Statutorily, possession of guns in churches will still be prohibited."

Carter said there's confusion about the Church Protection Act of 2013, and wanted to emphasize the measure wouldn't lift the concealed carry ban in Arkansas churches, but let the churches decide for themselves.

Carter also said there's also a misconception the law will require churches to post their gun policies.

"We wanted to be sure churches were in a position where they didn't have to post signs on the front door, to say they are allowed or disallowed," Carter said. "The law is very clear that it's not required."

The concern came up Thursday when a minister told a House committee her insurance rates would go up if the bill was passed into law, and she would be required to post the church's gun policy on the door, regardless of whether it allowed concealed carry or not.

Carter says he can't control what happens between a church and its provider, but a posted gun policy mandate? Not in his House.

"Making churches put signs on the door is something I'm not in favor of, and that's not what the law says," Carter said.