2014-06-03

ALABASTER, Ala. (AP) – An Alabama gun rights supporter who took a loaded pistol to the polls got to vote, but only after putting the weapon in his pickup truck.

John David Murphy wore his holstered 9mm handgun and two ammunition clips into First United Methodist Church of Alabaster when he went to vote in the Republican primary on Tuesday.

The church, like other precincts, had a sign in the door saying firearms are prohibited. But Murphy argued with a poll worker that his constitutional right to openly carry a weapon trumps a state law allowing guns in public places unless a sign is posted.

Poll workers called a deputy, who made Murphy put the gun in his truck outside before voting.

Murphy says he’s going to complain to county leaders.

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