Gun fight in the Georgia legislature

[mzmtg]

Georgia Carry : An information clearinghouse for Georgia Firearms License issues and news » Blog Archive » Latest:

We thought you would be interested in reading two news items just released.

(1) Another gunfight may be brewing in the Senate

Another gunfight may be brewing in the Senate | Political Insider | ajc.com

Alice Johnson, the lobbyist representing Georgians for Gun Safety, smells a gunfight in the air.

She notes this morning that the Senate Rules Committee has put H.B. 257 on today’s calendar.

The bill adds constables to the list of law enforcement and judicial personnel permitted to pack heat in public buildings.

“The bill opens up the ‘public gathering’ section of the Georgia firearms code, and is a likely vehicle for language previously proposed by Rep. Tim Bearden in H.B. 89 and H.B. 915,” Johnson reports.

Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) asked for the bill last night, which makes it likely he would act as floor director for any amendments.

Parks have been the main target for those looking to lengthen the list of places where permitted owners can carry concealed.

The question is whether the National Rifle Association has any voice left in the Senate willing to re-start the fight over the right of employees to keep weapons in their cars parked on company lots.

GCO says anything that has Alice upset must be good for GCO.

(2) Giving Gunowners the Right to Carry Concealed on MARTA

Political Insider | ajc.com

Today’s coming gunfight in the Senate could get interesting.

We’re hearing the deal that’s been cut on amendments to H.B. 257 would allow those with the proper permits to carry concealed in restaurants — even those that serve alcohol — and on MARTA.

One scenario theorizes that, once the bill is sent back to the House for its decision on whether to agree or disagree, the NRA-backed portion to allow employees to keep guns in cars parked on company lots will again be added.

But we’re hearing that one Senate Democrat, J.B. Powell of Blythe, will offer an amendment to that effect on the Senate floor, to ensure that the fireworks start that much earlier.

Remember the MARTA bus stop robbery and shooting Monday morning? Why have a law that does not effect crime but disarms GCO members? GCO expects this to be good news for 2008!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[RKirk]

Good post. I have commented and discussed with other CCW's that it makes no sense to limit a licensed CCW from so many areas. I can understand Police and Sheriff departments not wanting armed citizens, but libraries and shopping malls and doctors offices? Plus these no carry places make no effort to protect you inside or on the parking lot. I do obey the law and therefore have a steel lock box in the trunk that I unholster and then re-holster my pistol when I come back to the car. I do admit that I may not see a sign at the shopping mall.

I am guessing that as new states enact a CCW statute they copy another states law as is, without looking at why do we need to limit carry in this situation. My .02.


-- Richard

[Gun Bunny]

We’re hearing the deal that’s been cut on amendments to H.B. 257 would allow those with the proper permits to carry concealed in restaurants — even those that serve alcohol — and on MARTA.

Oh my god!!! What are they thinking!!!

As long as they're not actually partaking in the consumption of alcohol, I see no problem.
Here, places that serve alcohol, you are good to go with no problems.
We don't have gun-fights in bars either!

[FlyboyLDB]

All in Georgia need to write/email/phone their senators immed in support of HB 89. See Georgia Carry : An information clearinghouse for Georgia Firearms License issues and news for more details

[lance22]

Here I am up in the liberal frozen north - surrounded by yankee socialists - and have better gun laws and more freedom to carry than my Pro2A brothers in Georgia. This makes no sense - I'd think Georgia would have awesome laws. So - do you Georgian's just have your own indigenous population of hippies or are the troublemakers NY exports ? What a shame that no place is safe from freedom hating idiots.

Up here in MN, it's "activist churches".

[ghost tracker]

Up here in MN, it's "activist churches".

That's a shame. My pastor is one of my favorite shooting buddies! And he surely knows his way around a Sporting Clays Course.

[HKR]

Any Georgians( or anyone else) on here who haven't looked at GeorgiaPacking in the last couple of hours should go check out the 'Watch' thread in Current Bills. It looks like GFL holders may have had a good day today, the details are still unfoldiing.

[mzmtg]

From the latest GCO Update:

Today, Wednesday, was a rollercoaster day for the right to bear arms. The Senate took up HB 257, which is a bill to permit constables to carry firearms in publicly owned or operated buildings. GCO-supported amendments were added to HB 257 that would permit Georgians with firearms licenses to carry firearms on mass transit and in restaurants that serve alcohol, so long as the person with the firearm was not consuming alcohol. The motions passed overwhelmingly.

Then Sen. Vincent Forte, District 39, Atlanta, who was opposed to the amendments, attached a seemingly innocuous amendment relating to security plans at colleges. It was passed before anybody realized that the amendment violated Senate rules. A motion to reconsider received an objection because the Senate had already moved on to consideration of another matter. (The vote to reconsider did win, however). Because of the rules violation and the problem with the voite to reconsider, the entire bill with its amendments was tabled.

We are receiving assurances that the General Assembly will pass legislation pertaining to mass transit and restaurants, but we need you to follow the instructions in the prior email for contacting the leadership in the House and Senate to let them know that these issues are important to you.

Warning - things are sensitive right now. Please use the utmost tact in contacting legislators.

[mzmtg]

HB 257 was un-tabled, cleaned up and PASSED last night around 7:00pm.

Georgia General Assembly - HB 257

This is a HUGE win for GA gun owners!

The base bill allows Constables to carry in publicly owned buildings and school zones. This does NOT affect us, the unwashed masses.

The important parts are the amendments:

The amendments to HB257, as passed by the Senate, allow GFL holders to carry in restaurants that serve alcohol and on public transportation.

The amended bill still has to be voted on by the House, but it expected to pass very easily.

GA’s list of off-limits places is “this close” to finally getting SHORTER!

[packin45]

Here I am up in the liberal frozen north - surrounded by yankee socialists - and have better gun laws and more freedom to carry than my Pro2A brothers in Georgia.

Right...but god forbid we ever have to draw, due to our lack of castle doctrine/stand your ground-type legislation.

Up here in MN, it's "activist churches".

The good thing about those stupid signs is the fact that they carry no legal weight. Also, they clearly identify the anti-gun establishments for us, so we don't screw up and accidentally patronize one ;-)