A BILL
To affirm the constitutional rights of faith-based organizations to establish internal safety policies and to protect such organizations from civil or criminal liability arising solely from lawful firearm possession by members on church premises.

---

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the “Faith-Based Self-Defense and Liability Protection Act of 2025.”

Section 2. Findings

Congress finds that—

1. The First Amendment guarantees the free exercise of religion, including the right of congregations to worship in safety.
2. The Second Amendment secures the individual right to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes, including self-defense.
3. Religious assemblies have been targets of violent attacks; reasonable safety measures are essential to preserving life.
4. Faith-based organizations should not face civil or criminal penalties when members lawfully possess firearms for personal protection on premises used for worship.
5. Nothing in this Act compels any faith-based organization to adopt or reject firearm policies inconsistent with its doctrine.

Section 3. Definitions

(a) Faith-based organization—any church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other religious assembly recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(b) Lawful firearm possession—possession, carrying, or use of a firearm consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
(c) Premises—real property owned, leased, or controlled by a faith-based organization and used primarily for religious worship or fellowship.

Section 4. Civil Liability Limitation

(a) No faith-based organization or its officers shall be liable in any civil action for damages, injury, or death arising solely from the lawful possession or defensive use of a firearm by a member, attendee, or employee while on premises controlled by the organization.
(b) Liability shall attach only upon clear and convincing evidence of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the organization.
(c) Adoption of, or failure to adopt, a written firearm or safety policy shall not by itself create a duty or a basis for liability.

Section 5. Criminal Liability Limitation

(a) No pastor, minister, priest, rabbi, imam, elder, or governing officer of a faith-based organization shall be criminally liable under federal law solely because an individual lawfully possesses a firearm on premises controlled by the organization.
(b) This section shall not apply to unlawful possession, discharge, or use of a firearm.

Section 6. Rule of Construction

(a) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to—
 (1) preempt state or local laws providing greater protections;
 (2) compel any religious organization to permit firearms contrary to its beliefs; or
 (3) limit lawful prosecution of criminal conduct involving firearms.