New York Ordered to Pay $800K After Church Challenges Ban on Firearms in Houses of Worship
A church that challenged parts of a 2022 state law banning guns in places of worship has secured another victory in its legal battle after a federal court has ordered New York to pay over $817,000 to cover the legal fees for His Tabernacle Church’s attorneys, who contested the law.
The 2022 Concealed Carry Improvement Act, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, established “sensitive” zones where even licensed individuals cannot carry concealed firearms, including churches.
His Tabernacle Church challenged the law and in early 2023, achieved a temporary victory when a U.S. District Court judge blocked the state from enforcing the gun-free zone rule for churches while the legal case continued. New York appealed, but the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision, keeping the block in place.
First Liberty Institute, a group focused on protecting religious freedom, led the legal effort for the church, handling the case pro bono and ultimately securing the win. Lead Pastor Michael Spencer emphasized in a video on Facebook that the church isn’t receiving any of the settlement funds, stating in part:
“Federal law requires the state of New York to pay reasonable attorney fees now that it has shown New York State violated the civil rights of the church, and not just this church, that’s every church in New York State. This was not a small case, this was a large case, and this will have national impact.”
The church added:
“It has always been about the freedoms God has given us and the Constitution protects. Across the nation, churches and schools are being targeted with increasing frequency. Our commitment is simple: to stand for the safety of our children, the strength of our community, and the rights of every person to worship freely.”
H/T Christian Post
