If weapons law takes hold, 'no guns' signs go up on church property

Published: 2003-10-23

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- Parishes, schools and agencies in the Archdiocese of St. Louis will be posting signs prohibiting people from bringing concealed weapons onto the property if a new state law takes effect. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph F. Naumann of St. Louis, administrator of the archdiocese, wrote to pastors, school administrators and agency directors on the issue. The new Missouri law would allow some individuals to get a permit to carry concealed firearms. Permits would only be issued to qualified people age 23 and older who have passed a firearms safety training course. The law was to go into effect Oct. 11, but a court order temporarily blocking it was issued because a suit challenging the law's constitutionality was filed. The bishop said that archdiocesan attorney Bernard Huger, the archdiocese's Child Safety Committee and human resource directors all have reviewed the issues. The notice of a prohibition of concealed firearms can extend to any weapons, according to Huger.

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