Georgia and Guns
Sunday, August 3, 2008 Labels: guns 10 commentsThis is a bit old news, but I don't live in Georgia so it is new to me.
Georgia now allows permitted gun owners who pass criminal background checks to carry concealed weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol (if they don't make more than half their revenue from alcohol sales), aboard public transportation and in parks. Customers with guns however, are not allowed to drink alcohol. Restaurants can opt out if they post a sign saying they will not permit guns. This measure is "the biggest gun reform bill in Georgia history." says Representative Tim Bearden, a former police officer and bill's sponsor. Unlike some states, Georgia doesn't require firearms training to get a concealed weapons permit. The Georgia Restaurant Association, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and Atlanta's mass transit system opposed it.
Do you support this?
Can someone oppose and still be pro-second amendment?
Will it increase, decrease or have no effect on crime?
"Georgia now allows permitted gun owners who pass criminal background checks to carry concealed weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol (if they don't make more than half their revenue from alcohol sales)....."
And the logic here is....?
My question is, how the hell do you know what percentage of the restaurant's revenue is derived from alcohol sales?
Well, as a long time resident of the beautiful state of Georgia (32 years), I support it.
Statistics show that criminals would rather not go to areas that have a high percentage of the public carrying firearms. I would rather be protected by Smith and Wesson than take my chances waiting on the police to show up.
How many shooting sprees could have been avoided or at least cut short if law abiding Joe Average had been there to save peoples lives from the crazy lunatic who just wanted to take out as many folks as he could before he did himself in?
Here is my thoughts on gun control:
Hitting he same spot twice!!
Do you support this?
Absolutely.
Can someone oppose and still be pro-second amendment?
No. As long as restaurants have the option to refuse gun-toters, then there is no logical reason to oppose this.
Will it increase, decrease or have no effect on crime?
I doubt it will have much effect, since so few Georgians carry anyway. If it does, though, it would be to decrease crime, or at least convert mass killings (a la Va. Tech) into fewer-people-dead killings.
And the logic here is....?
The law is written to differentiate a bar from a family-friendly place like Chili's or Applebee's.
Well, as a long time resident of the beautiful state of Georgia (32 years), I support it.
Me too, and I'm 33, so I've got you beat by a year. ;)
Statistics show that criminals would rather not go to areas that have a high percentage of the public carrying firearms.
Exactly. If I were a criminal, I would go after the easy meat, not the hard targets.
By the way, there is no legal difference in Georgia between open carry and concealed carry. A Georgia Firearms License allows both.
Aha: all is now clear.
And do you carry a weapon Wayne?
DP -
No, not at the moment; I'm at work ;)
I like this blog as well =)
I'm completely in favor of this. I live in one of the best gun states in the union (Nevada) as far as laws are concerned. The law here is simple. If you're carrying a weapon, your BAC has to be less then .08, just like if you're driving a car.
Basically, don't drink and carry a gun. Guns and alcohol don't mix. All privately owned business have the privilage of posting a "no guns" sign in their window. It doesn't necessarily mean you're breaking the law if you bring it in, but they're within their right to kick you out.
As a member of the group that push to get the HB 89 passed, GeorgiaCarry.Org, I support of course.
However, you sounded surprise that we don't need training to carry a concealed or open carried weapon.
Why?
For it is not mentioned anywhere in the Second Amendment that one must have training. Furthermore, there is federal law that prohibits registration of handguns 18 USC section 926. Hence why Georgia does not require you to register your carry hand gun either. But for the most part, it is because the State of Georgia trust its citizens with guns and does not treat them like the enemy or criminals.
Conservative Scalawag,
Thanks for the comment. I was a bit surprised, but I do agree with you. I am just use to seeing so many gun laws. Congratulations on getting it passed.