Court won't review ban on guns in church

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court Monday refused to hear a challenge to Georgia's ban on carrying guns into churches.

The case, among scores rejected in one-line orders, was brought by GeorgiaCarry.org.

The group contended on its website that "the First Amendment's 'free exercise' clause prohibits states from banning activities in churches when such activities generally are permitted elsewhere in the state."

GeorgiaCarry first brought its challenge to a state court in Upson County, Ga., but a state judge sent it to federal court. A federal judge dismissed the case and a federal appeals court upheld the dismissal.

The group filed a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court in October. The justices made no comment in rejecting review of the case.

On its website, the group said it "is a 501(c) 4 non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization." The reference to 501(c) refers to the section of the U.S. Tax Code that allows non-profit "educational" fundraising.