Anti-gun bill (HB197) Advancing in the GA House

Citizens for Safe Government e-amil alert ^ | 2/12/03 | CSG E-mail alert

[from occupied ga]

Atlanta, Wednesday, February 12) -- The HB197 Stealth Triggerlock bill passed the Georgia House Judiciary Committee yesterday.

A key vote on the Self-Defense amendment to protect your right to keep guns ready for self-defense has been delayed until HB197 reaches the floor of the House. That could happen as early as Fri. morning Feb. 14.

The anti-gunners pushing HB197 panicked Monday after it looked like gun owners might pass the Self-Defense amendment in committee.

Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Dunwoody), the front man for HB197, went running to House Republican leaders to complain Rep. Warren Massey (R-Winder) was bringing too much heat on Republican members of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Massey withdrew from sponsoring the Self-Defense amendment yesterday. Many gun owners were disappointed. HB197 then quickly passed the committee by a vote of 18 to 1, with only Rep. Pam Stephenson (D-Lithonia) voting against it she said because the committee stripped out an exception for victims of domestic violence.

House Pro-Gun Leader Bobby Franklin (R-Marietta) will offer the Self-Defense amendment to HB197 directly from the floor when it comes before the full House.

That could happen as early as Fri. morning Feb 14.

CSG Legislative Director Bill Phillips helped manage the HB197 debate Monday in committee. He said, "Rep. Massey carried the ball for gun owners as far as he could. He forced the anti-gunners to make two big mistakes:

1. They admitted HB197 is a stealth triggerlock bill: you'll have to lock up your gun so it's not ready for self-defense or else face going to jail.

2. They showed they're scared witless of the Self-Defense amendment to HB197 because it guts their Stealth Triggerlock scheme."

The Self-Defense amendment to HB197 says "keeping or storing a firearm in such a manner that it is unlocked or otherwise ready for immediate use in self-defense shall not be considered criminal negligence."

The CSG Legislative Director added, "House Pro-Gun Leader Rep. Bobby Franklin is chomping at the bit to force a vote on the Self-Defense amendment so gun owners can know how their Reps. stand on this vital issue. Bobby couldn't do it before because he wasn't on the committee. Now the bill is out of committee, and he can take charge on the floor."

Rep. Franklin said passing the Self-Defense amendment depends on one thing: you putting pressure on your own state Rep. to vote right.

If HB197 becomes law without the Self-Defense amendment, anti-gun officials could come to your home or in your car, arrest you, and confiscate your guns if they're not locked up.

It's crucial you call the office of your state Representative(s) as soon as possible and leave a message saying vote for the Self-Defense amendment to HB197.

Meanwhile, the NRA is still on the sidelines. They're scared anti-gunners will claim they're against children. The NRA lobbyist told the House Judiciary Committee the NRA is neither for the bill nor against it. Of course anti-gunners are saying "the NRA is not opposed to HB197" which is only half the truth.

You need to act to defend your right to keep and bear arms. What happened in committee earlier this week is history. You need to call again. Contact the office of your own State Rep. as soon as possible and leave a message saying vote for the Self-Defense amendment to HB197.

ACTION ITEMS

1. Get your state House district number by calling the Registrar of Voters or the Voter Registration office in your county.
2. Get the name and telephone number of your state Rep. (or Reps. if you live in a multi-member district) by calling the House Information Office at 404-656-5082 or 800-282-5800. Tell them your state House district number.
3. Make the call. If the phones are busy, keep trying.
4. Send a copy of this e-mail to everybody you know in Georgia who owns a gun.

-- Citizens for Safe Government, Inc. P.O. Box 813764 Smyrna, GA 30081 csg@arms.org

[from occupied ga]

A little bite at a time but slowly and surely they will get our guns

Yes freedom and government are the opposite of each other.

[wku man]

"Meanwhile, the NRA is still on the sidelines. They're scared anti-gunners will claim they're against children. The NRA lobbyist told the House Judiciary Committee the NRA is neither for the bill nor against it."

And they wonder why I'm not renewing my membership...

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[backhoe]

Good letter, and just BTW, so far I have not gotten an answerback from any of the "critters" I emailed...

[LTCJ]

so far I have not gotten an answer

I did get an autoresponse back from Senator Johnson's service; nothing specific. I do expect he'll send one as well as snail mail - he has before.

Of course, that's just backfilling since he's on the other side of the Capitol.

[LTCJ]

Gentlemen, This just received from Representative Buddy DeLoach (I) of Hinesville:

HB197 is one of those well intended bills that has some serious problems. I would hope that it does not make it to the house floor, but if it does I will do all in my power to protect our rights to defend ourselves. IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU. BD

Mr. DeLoach can be reached at Bdeloach@legis.state.ga.us. I'm sure he'd appreciate each of your thoughts and some encouragement.

[FreedomPoster]

I got an email back from my house rep, he said he hadn't seen the bill. He's not on Judiciary, so maybe its being held in committee.

[takenoprisoner]

Think of MADD and it's power. Think of the million mom march and it's influence. Think of Judy Harper and her relentless mission. Moms are tough to deal with for any legislature anywhere.
Especially when they are once grieved and now pissed off.

Our Georgia legislature has for years now had one Judy Harper and now a million moms on their asses to do something about gun safety to protect the children from guns. Too often irresponsible parents and others don't get it. Fact is, guns must be kept safe and secure from children who don't know any better. Good grief, what's the problem?

The problem is that responsible gun owners view this as nothing more than another incremental step toward the banning of gun ownership for citizens. And they are right, it is for many who have this agenda. While moms like Judy Harper and the "million moms" view this as an extremely important safety measure to protect children from irresponsible gun owners. And they're right too.

I say compromise. The Georgia legislature should provide a budget for gun safety. Tag some of the lottery too as it has a set aside for education. Afterall, gun safety in the home is educational.

Provide public messages dealing with gun safety as we do with illicit drugs for children. Make gun safety a part of early childhood education continuing to high school. Teach the children to be responsible even if the parents aren't.

Make gun safety a reality for children via education about the dangers of guns. Utilize all means available toward that end. But no need to take away any rights for responsible gun owners.

[LTCJ]

This is what I received from Eric Johnson who is President Pro Tempore of the Senate:

If and when that bill comes over, I will look into your concerns. For now, I can only focus on Senate bills. I will protect the 2nd amendment with my last breath.

Eric Johnson

Can't ask for more than that!

[backhoe]

Appreciate the info!

[FreedomPoster]

Good stuff; gotta love it!