Update On Georgia Legislature Activity

[Shamalama]

From GeorgiaCarry.org:

GeorgiaCarry.org is pleased that the Georgia State Senate saw fit to include by amendment many provisions from Representative Timothy Bearden's HB 915 within the substitute HB 89 that passed the Senate this afternoon. GCO strongly supported the first iteration of HB 89 introduced in 2007 by Rep. Bearden, which is now contained in Section 3 of the version that passed the Senate. The additional provisions added this week directly from HB 915 provide meaningful protections to law abiding Georgians seeking a firearms license and to law abiding but unlicensed Georgians driving with a concealed weapon in their automobile. In addition, GeorgiaCarry.org is pleased that the Senate version will decriminalize possession of a firearm by a licensed Georgian in State Parks, Historic Sites, and Recreational Areas so that Georgians can protect themselves while hiking and camping.

But GeorgiaCarry.org believes that there is much more work to be done. As Sen. Chip Rogers recognized during the floor debate today, Georgia has more places off limits to carrying a firearm than California. GeorgiaCarry.org takes seriously Sen. Rogers's stated commitment to look closely at removing Georgia's onerous criminal restrictions on Georgians with firearms licenses. HB 915, pending in the Georgia House of Representatives, addresses these issues.

GCO has been hearing from you that things have come to a conclusion any changes on the right to bear arms this session. This is only day 4! GCO has many irons in the fire and is working behind the scenes on several alternative strategies for repealing more criminal laws that put places off limits.

The legislation heads back to the House where, if allowed to continue, will then move to the Governor's desk.

HB 89 is known as the "parking lot" bill, heavily pushed by the NRA. With the added amendments it provides:

SECTION 2: Anti-Bloomberg protection
SECTION 3(c): Licensed carry in all parks, historic sites, or recreational areas.
SECTION 3(d): Carry anywhere in your car, like your home.
SECTION 4: Max. 45 days for license instead of anywhere between 1 week and 2 years
SECTION 5: Mandamus after 45 days for Section 4
SECTION 6: NRA's parking lot madness
SECTION 7: Protect disaster relief workers, granting immunity or limiting liability

HB 915 is still in play, and still desired by many Georgians, and would provide all of HB 89 plus:

Section 4—Repeal of the public gathering laws.
Section 5—Allows law abiding citizens to protect themselves at universities and private schools.
Section 6—Allows law abiding citizens to open carry a pistol in a belt holster.
Section 9—Is a Katrina Law which prohibits law enforcement from confiscating firearms.
Section 10—Limit the emergency powers of the Governor to confiscating firearms.

 

[TecRsq]

Let us all hope that 915's Public Gathering changes make it into one of the bills.

I have been calling and writing my letters and I hope all Georgians for common sense carry laws do the same.

FWIW the grass roots movement here in the state is a very well organized one due to the efforts of georgiacarry.org members, GOA members and NRA members.