New Georgia Gun Law

[4sarge]

New Georgia Gun Law


ATLANTA --Starting Tuesday, Georgians with gun permits will be able to bring their firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol, aboard public transportation and in state parks.

The gun measure is of one of more than 100 new laws set to take effect on the July 1 start of the fiscal year. Critics and supporters alike say it's the largest expansion of gun rights in Georgia in decades.

The measure passed in the final hours of this year's rancorous legislative session, stunning some in the business community who thought it was dead for the year.

Gov. Sonny Perdue signed the bill into law without comment in May.

Critics say it could increase gun violence in the state.

But supporters maintain the law only applies to permitted gun owners who have undergone a criminal background check. There are roughly 300,000 such permit holders in Georgia.

With the new law set to allow guns into more public places, education efforts were under way.

Officials at MARTA, metro Atlanta's mass transit system, said they've been passing out fliers letting riders know about the change. But there are no plans to increase security on rail and bus lines. A study of other city transit systems where guns have been permitted have shown no notable changes in the crime rate, according to Scott Haggard, MARTA's director of government relations.

Ron Wolf, head of the Georgia Restaurant Association, said his group has been busy letting his 3,400 members know about the changes. The law allows restaurants to ban guns, but they must post a sign outlining their policy. Wolf said many restaurant owners are worried and there's been interest from some in keeping guns out. Still, he expects that many will wait to see how the law works before making a decision that could alienate gun-toting customers.

Becky Kelley, director of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, said her biggest challenge may be in letting Georgians know that the new law applies in only 52 of the 63 state parks. The other 11 are on land leased from federal agencies. Federal law applies there so firearms will still be banned, she said.

Kelley said the department has been working with rangers to get them up to speed.

"We're letting our people know that there may be more citizens with firearms on the property," Kelley said.

The new law also allows employees to leave guns locked in their car at work, but only if their employer consents. The National Rifle Association had pushed hard for language that would have forced companies to allow guns in workplace parking lots. But they faced resistance from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce which succeeded in watering down the measure.

The new law takes effect in Georgia just days after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision affirming Americans' constitutional right to own a gun.

More changes could be in the horizon in Georgia. A legislative study committee has been set up to study the state's firearms law and is charged with making recommendations by January 2009. The chairman of the committee, state Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, R-Sharpsburg, is a staunch gun rights supporter.

another story WTVM.com and WTVM News Leader 9, Columbus, GA | New Georgia Gun law

[AFA1CY]

Officials at MARTA, metro Atlanta's mass transit system, said they've been passing out fliers letting riders know about the change. But there are no plans to increase security on rail and bus lines. A study of other city transit systems where guns have been permitted have shown no notable changes in the crime rate, according to Scott Haggard, MARTA's director of government relations.

Well, duh!

[Pami]

I read another article that referenced this law passing. It said gun owners are now trying to be allowed to carry their firearms in airport terminals up to the point where they have to go through the security checkpoint. There's some resistance because millions of people could be put at risk, based on the volume of flight traffic that goes through Atlanta, and because airports are still a target for terrorists (all according to the article).

I'll see if I can find it again.

[Pami]

Found it!
clicky --> Lawsuit filed over Atlanta airport barring guns - News - MSNBC.com

[Bill of Rights]

Originally Posted by Pami

I read another article that referenced this law passing. It said gun owners are now trying to be allowed to carry their firearms in airport terminals up to the point where they have to go through the security checkpoint. There's some resistance because millions of people could be put at risk, based on the volume of flight traffic that goes through Atlanta, and because airports are still a target for terrorists (all according to the article).

I'll see if I can find it again.

Will read the article in a minute, but it seems to me that while ATL has more traffic than IND does, WE can carry right up to but not through the security checkpoint, and there haven't been any issues here in the "Crossroads of America", so as was said above, re: MARTA: "Well, duh."

Blessings,
B

ETA: I read the article. Don't miss the poll in the middle of it. Right now it's close, but our side is down 48% to 52%. It's worded reasonably, actually.
Link:

Click for related content
Vote: Leave the guns at home or your American right?

Poll:

Gun rights advocates have filed a lawsuit challenging the 'gun free' zone declared at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. What do you think? 15567 responses
Bearing arms is every American's right 49%
Allowing guns in the terminal would only endanger more people 51%

I think we all know the proper answer. Looks like they're getting closer to it, too.

B

[Pami]

Originally Posted by Bill of Rights

Will read the article in a minute, but it seems to me that while ATL has more traffic than IND does, WE can carry right up to but not through the security checkpoint, and there haven't been any issues here in the "Crossroads of America", so as was said above, re: MARTA: "Well, duh."

Blessings,
B

mmhmm.. It read very much as scare tactic reasoning to me, too.

[4sarge]

Originally Posted by Bill of Rights

Will read the article in a minute, but it seems to me that while ATL has more traffic than IND does, WE can carry right up to but not through the security checkpoint, and there haven't been any issues here in the "Crossroads of America", so as was said above, re: MARTA: "Well, duh."

Blessings,
B

ETA: I read the article. Don't miss the poll in the middle of it. Right now it's close, but our side is down 48% to 52%. It's worded reasonably, actually. Something like "VOTE: What do you think of the new law allowing guns at the airport?"

"Bearing arms is every American's right."
"Having more guns there will only endanger more people."

I think we all know the proper answer.

B,
B

It's just another Government Entity flaunting their power, be damned of legislation or court decisions. The Bureaucrat rules supreme or so they think

49 to 51, we are closer, but not bad for an MSNBC poll

[melensdad]

Originally Posted by Pami

I read another article that referenced this law passing. It said gun owners are now trying to be allowed to carry their firearms in airport terminals up to the point where they have to go through the security checkpoint. There's some resistance because millions of people could be put at risk, based on the volume of flight traffic that goes through Atlanta, and because airports are still a target for terrorists (all according to the article).

I'll see if I can find it again.

Pami, please define "terminal" for me because I think you got suckered by the anti-gunners.

The "terminal" areas of most larger airports are physically removed from the public areas. In most airports I fly through the public is allows only in the ticketing area (basically a big lobby with ticket desks) and then ticketed passengers only proceed through security and baggage checks to walk, or ride, to a different area, or even a different building to get to the "terminal" area.

The general public is also allowed in the passenger pickup area at baggage claim. But again, baggage claim is also physically removed from the terminal area in most airport (certainly in every major airport).

Again, the anti-gunners are essentially calling the whole of the airport a "terminal" and therefore claiming it is some sort of terrorist issue for honest people like you and me to walk into baggage claim to meet our spouses when they return from a trip!

Here is an MSNBC poll that also confuses the term "terminal" and makes the poll biased:

- News - MSNBC.com

[Bill of Rights]

Originally Posted by melensdad

Again, the anti-gunners are essentially calling the whole of the airport a "terminal"

I always thought the airport building was called a "terminal", too. Kinda like the train station, though the better comparison would likely be "platform"; the place where the people actually board the train.

If I'm understanding you, melensdad, you're saying that the actual gate areas are the "terminal". If I'm misunderstanding, please to correct, with my thanks.

Blessings,
B

[Pami]

Yeah, I thought the whole airport building was the terminal, too, not just the gate area. I was referring to the wording used in the article I read (posted above). It specifically mentioned that visitors to the airport wanted to be allowed to visit friends/family (passing through or picking up or dropping off) by eating at the restaurants or visiting the shops inside, but not necessarily pass through the security checkpoints into the gate areas.