Arkansas panel OKs concealed carry in church

From Arkansas, followup to this post about a bill to allow the law-abiding to carry in church (obviously, the non-law-abiding are already able to carry in church):

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — An Arkansas legislative committee has backed a bill allowing concealed weapons in churches, despite concerns of a pastor who said he was shot in a sanctuary two decades ago and still opposes the measure.
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Pastor John Phillips Jr. told members of the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that churches should be safe places, free from weapons.

"As a group of lawmakers, are we really wanting to send the message that we are raising the white flag of surrender to the anarchy that's in the streets and that the only way that our citizens can feel safe in their houses of worship and churches is that we come packing heat in the pews?" Phillips asked lawmakers.

But lawmakers endorsed the bill by Rep. Beverly Pyle, R-Cedarville, and focused most of their discussion on whether the legislation would place a burden on churches that decide not to allow concealed guns inside sanctuaries. Under current state law, any place that bans the guns must erect a sign that says so.

In contrast to Pastor Phillips probably well-meaning but criminal-friendly position, some pastors get it:

Several pastors from churches around the state testified in support of the bill, saying they worried about the safety of their congregations.

"To me, being in church is probably one of the most vulnerable places anyone can be as far as an attack happening," said Pastor Mark Thorton of the Big Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Malvern. "And if there's no one there who can legally carry a handgun, we're going to be on the 6 o'clock news."

Article here.