I've been following this closely. It has been a roller coaster ride. When the legislature took up its work on a few pro-gun bills in January, it seemed like they were dead in the water. But, just this week, two very important bills began to move in a positive direction and today, the Georgia Senate passed both bills. Now, both bills will go to the Georgia House, which is Republican dominated and very pro-gun. Both are expected to pass easily.
Mainly, the two big victories are that...
1. Georgians with permits will be able to conceal carry in an establishment that sells alcohol as long as they do not consume alcohol while carrying.
2. Georgians with permits will be able to conceal carry a gun on public transportation such as buses and trains as long as there is no federal law against it. Previously, there was a law in place with a 20 year prison penalty, even if you had a gun in your car in a bus parking lot, or even near a bus stop.
Both of those situations have been off-limits to Georgians for many years. WE didn't get everything we wanted, but considering that everyone feared we would get nothing from this legislature this session, it is an enormous victory.
Here is a link to the story. http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/me...2/guns_0403.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Mainly, the two big victories are that...
1. Georgians with permits will be able to conceal carry in an establishment that sells alcohol as long as they do not consume alcohol while carrying.
2. Georgians with permits will be able to conceal carry a gun on public transportation such as buses and trains as long as there is no federal law against it. Previously, there was a law in place with a 20 year prison penalty, even if you had a gun in your car in a bus parking lot, or even near a bus stop.
Both of those situations have been off-limits to Georgians for many years. WE didn't get everything we wanted, but considering that everyone feared we would get nothing from this legislature this session, it is an enormous victory.
Here is a link to the story. http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/me...2/guns_0403.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Senate OKs concealed guns in eateries, MARTA
By ANDREA JONES
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/03/08
Georgians with concealed weapons permits could carry guns on MARTA trains, and into restaurants as long as they don't drink, under a bill that passed the Senate after two rounds of contentious debate Wednesday.
Senators tacked the provisions onto HB 257, a bill that would have allowed Magistrate Court constables to carry guns, and significantly expanded its scope.
The last minute changes come after months of intense pressure from the National Rifle Association and Georgia gun groups to loosen the state's weapons laws.
The Republican-controlled Senate has struggled with gun legislation throughout the past two sessions, caught between the NRA and business interests about whether employees should have the right to keep weapons in the cars they park on company lots.
In 2007, after bitter behind-the-scenes confrontations, the Senate killed the legislation. In February, the Senate agreed on a watered-down version of the NRA-backed proposal and placed it in HB 89, a bill originally intended to relax the rules on where handguns can be kept in vehicles. But the Senate then declined to negotiate with the House over changes to the bill, stalling the measure. HB 89, sponsored by Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica) a former police officer, would have allowed guns in churches, sporting events and political rallies.
Senators saw an opening Wednesday to revive the debate.
Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) said concealed weapon permit holders are responsible citizens who deserve to carry guns. "Because we do live in a dangerous time, it is our responsibility to allow honest people to protect themselves and their families," he said.