A House panel this week revived legislative language on firearm regulations that had stalled at the 2019 session’s halfway point.

The provisions would open the door to guns being allowed in churches on school property, putting that decision in the hands of the property owner – whether that’s the school or the church.

A similar proposal garnered significant controversy last year. But this year, that change hasn’t gotten much pushback from lawmakers, as Rep. Terri Austin (D-Anderson) notes.

“I mean, I had actually several ministers reach out to me and say, ‘We would like to be able to make that decision for ourselves,’” Austin says.

The proposal stalled earlier in session because of concerns about the definition of school property. But Austin says revised language – a simpler definition – resolves those concerns.