Guns allowed in more public places with bill's passage [GA]

Georgians with weapons permits will be able to carry guns in far more places under a bill that passed both chambers Friday night.

An amended version of House Bill 89 allows holders of concealed weapons permits to carry guns into restaurants, state parks, and on MARTA trains and other public transportation. The legislation, which gun-rights proponents hailed as a major victory, also allows employees to leave weapons in parking lots as long as it's okay with the company.

Congratulations Georgia! It is some progress. I was tempted to link this article, but the AJC obiously had the dates screwed up.

Senate OKs concealed guns in eateries, MARTA

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.

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.

Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) urged fellow senators to think about whether they wanted armed people on the city's public transportation system.

"Is it wise to send the message that it's open season for gun-toters on MARTA?" she asked.

Orrock also questioned the practicality of enforcing the no-drinking rule for gun carriers at restaurants.

She asked whether lawmakers should broaden the scope of the law to "allow people armed to the teeth with alcohol within arms length."

The bill nearly was killed earlier in the day when a Democrat tried to add an amendment that would have lengthened it so much that it would have to be put back on the calendar. The amendment from Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) would have required public universities to come up with emergency safety plans in the wake of the deadly massacre at Virginia Tech.

Fort said he knew the amendment would trigger the rule that could force his fellow lawmakers to scuttle the bill.

"I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," he said.

Senators hurriedly voted to table the bill and the amendments, taking it up late in the evening. The bill passed 37 to 17 and now goes back to the House, which has been more open to expanding the rights of gun owners.

Staff writer Jim Galloway contributed to this article

Check the URL for the date.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2008/04/02/guns_0403.html

RKBA v. Business, Inc., go for it.

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