Two bills allowing licensed guns to be carried in churches, bars and parts of airports on Wednesday were passed by the Senate, closing out a marathon day of legislation.
SB 308, sponsored by Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of Sharpsburg and clarifying language regarding where guns can be carried in the state, withstood strong objections from the Board of Regents and at least 10 amendments that were either rejected or withdrawn. It passed with bipartisan support, 41-12.
The other bill, SB 291, which permits concealed weapons in vehicles that pick up and drop off passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, was sponsored by Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth). It passed 43-10.
The usual debate is accompanying these proposals to the House for their final approval. Here's the comment that made most sense to me.
“It is idiotic to allow firearms in churches and bars, [the latter] where inebriated people can get into an argument,” Sen. Vincent Fort of Atlanta argued. “The extreme right wing is in control of the politics of the Republican Party. Extremism dominated the floor of the state Senate today.”
What's your opinion? I was wondering if all these minor victories for the gun rights movement, guns in national parks, guns on college campuses, less restrictions on open and concealed carry, might not be a big smoke screen to conceal the major problems of no background checks required for private sales and no general licensing and registering requirements.
What do you think? Please leave a comment.
Guns in bars aren't a problem in the rest of the country, why would they be in Georgia?
ReplyDeleteMike W. has a point. Where is the "blood in the streets" predicted in Tennessee? As the Brady Campaign's empty rhetoric becomes more apparent, the people are less inclined to listen.
ReplyDeleteIt's been allowed here forever. Folks can even drink while carrying (not something I'd advise doing, but it is legal)
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't been a problem at all.
Ed Butler Feb 02 2012
ReplyDeleteIt goes back to the old saying.(Gun don't kill people- people kill people). The only thought I have that the ck that we pay for does not go in depth enough. I carry all the time. But there are some places you should not carry. A bar is not a good thing. Court Houses and any Fed Building. But just about any other place is alright with me.