Mississippi Governor Signs Church Protection Act

Last Friday (April 15) Mississippi Governor signed into law H.B. 786, the Mississippi Church Protection Act (full text) (legislative history).  The new law allows houses of worship to establish security programs under which designated members are authorized to carry firearms to protect the congregation. The state is authorized to issue licenses to carry concealed pistols, rifles or stun guns to members of such programs, if they meet specified conditions.  A person who has been issued such a permit and has completed a safety training course  may raise as a defense in any criminal prosecution the he or she was acting under such a program. Reuters has additional background. [Thanks to Center for Inquiry for the lead.]