Lawmakers in Mississippi have passed a bill that allows armed security guards in churches and for others to be able to carry concealed weapons during worship without a permit.

The "Mississippi Church Protection Act" also seeks to nullify federal regulations and executive orders calling for limited gun owner rights.

"This will allow a church to have a sergeant-at-arms to protect the church body, just like we have in the legislature," Republican State Sen. Sean Tindell argued in defending the measure.

Tindell also pointed to the recent deadly Charleston, South Carolina racially-motivated church shooting where admitted white supremacist Dylann Roof walked into a packed Emanuel AME sanctuary and callously opened fire on black parishoners, leaving nine dead and several others wounded, as further evidence of the need for such drastic measures.

Democratic Sen. Hillman Frazier fought long and hard against the proposal, at one point interjecting, "We don't need to pimp the church for political purposes. If you want to pass gun laws, do that, but don't use the church."

Measure Easily Passes in Senate

In the end, the measure passed by a 36-14 vote and now heads back to the House for more heated deliberation.

Tenements of the bill would also allow churches to create security programs and designate and train members to carry concealed weapons. It would also church security force members with criminal and legal protections.

In addition to expanding on a bill passed last year that allows for concealed carry without a permit in a purse, satchel or briefcase, the measure also seeks to prohibit authorities in Mississippi from being able to enforce any federal regulations in violation of the state constitution on the issue.

Adversaries of the Bill Have Their say

Shirley Hopkins Davis of the Mississippi chapter of Moms demand Action already knows on what side of the issue she stands. In tersely worded statement she called the actions taken by the Senate a "dangerous setback" that could undermine the state's entire system of checks and balances as it relates to concealed carry laws.

The Mississippi Police Chiefs Association has also taken a stance against the measure, with executive director Ken Winter asserting, "By effectively dismantling Mississippi's licensing system, this bill would block law enforcement who stop an armed suspect from confirming that he isn't a violent criminal, severely mentally ill, or otherwise dangerous."

Besides arguing that the bill would lower the bar in terms of who is allowed to be armed, Winter added "this bill would put law enforcement and all Mississippians directly in harm's way."

Meanwhile, Roof is expected to go on trial sometime this year on an array of federal charges including hate crime offenses. Roof's attorneys recently told the court their client would like to plead guilty, but added he would first like to know if prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty.

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