Ga. governor signs 'guns everywhere' into law ELLIJAY, Ga. — It's legal for licensed gun owners in Georgia to pack heat in bars, schools, churches and some government buildings.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, on Wednesday signed the state's "Safe Carry Protection Act," which critics dubbed the "guns everywhere bill," in north Georgia, on the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest and Cohutta Wilderness area.
"Our state has some of the best protections for gun owners in the United States. And today we strengthen those rights protected by our nation's most revered founding document," Deal said in signing the bill.
The new law, which goes into effect July 1, allows licensed gun owners in Georgia and visitors from 28 other states to bring a gun into a bar without restrictions and carry a firearm into some government buildings that don't have security measures. It also allows school districts to decide whether they want some employees to carry a firearm and religious leaders to decide whether to allow licensed gun owners to tote to their church, synagogue or mosque.
Since Jan. 1, 6 states have eased gun laws, 6 states have strengthened them and 4 states have both eased and strengthened firearm laws, according to Laura Cutilletta, senior staff attorney at the San Francisco-based Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Deal signed the bill here because state House Speaker David Ralston, who championed the measure in the state House, represents the area, according to Deal's office.
The new law provoked intense debate. Both supporters and opponents flocked to the state. The National Rifle Association called it "the most comprehensive pro-gun reform legislation introduced in recent history." The gun rights group GeorgiaCarry.org believes the bill will "restore our right to carry and be allowed to protect ourselves anywhere we go," according to executive director Jerry Henry.
Opponents include Americans for Responsible Solutions, the group co-founded by former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords, which called it the nation's most extreme gun bill and said it "moves Georgia out of the mainstream." Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America also lobbied against the bill. It's "a very, very dangerous kill bill," said their national spokeswoman, Lucia McBath, whose 17-year-old son, Jordan Davis, was killed in November 2012 in Jacksonville, Fla., in a dispute over loud music.
STORY: Ga.'s 'guns everywhere' law awaits governor's signature STORY: Proposal would allow Georgia firefighters to carry guns
The bill also drew some in-state opposition. People will be able to carry firearms in government buildings that don't have metal detectors, such as city halls, libraries, recreational centers, city office buildings and fire stations. The Georgia Municipal Association, which represents the state's 538 cities, asked Deal to veto it. "Local elected officials are responsible for securing and maintaining public safety, and insurance coverage, in buildings owned and operated by the city. Therefore, they should have the authority to make a decision about whether to allow weapons in such buildings," GMA said in a letter to Deal.
The new law removes a restriction that prevented those convicted of certain misdemeanors from getting a gun permit. And in a provision that has some law enforcement officials concerned, police will not be able to detain a person "for the sole purpose of investigating whether such a person has a weapons carry license."
As Deal signed the bill in Ellijay, a community of 1,600 about 65 miles north of Atlanta, the Georgia Gun Sense Coalition had an event in downtown Atlanta that included a moment of silence for all gun victims. In 2011, the most recent available, gunfire killed 1,175 people in Georgia, including 443 who were murdered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The gun bill had failed in three previous legislative sessions but passed late on the night of March 20, the session's final day this year.
A year ago this month, a man in Suwanee, Ga., faked a heart attack and took five Gwinnett County firefighters hostage at gunpoint in his house, knowing that the emergency responders would not be armed. Though the incident ended well for the firefighters — a SWAT team rescued them four hours later but killed the gunman — some Georgia legislators believe that this incident provided the impetus for the legislation to pass.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
GEORGIA UNVEILS THEIR NEW SLOGAN: “WE MAKE FLORIDA LOOK SAFE”
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
KENNESAW, Ga. — The exception-riddled mandatory gun-ownership law just passed by the town of Nelson, 33 miles to the north, is modeled on a similar law enacted more than three decades ago by the city of Kennesaw.
In 1982, Kennesaw was a city of about 5,000, "a rural population of Southern conservatives, strong Second Amendment advocates," city spokeswoman Pam Davis says. The city enacted the measure in response to a law passed in Morton Grove, Ill., that outlawed gun ownership.
"When the law was passed, it was common knowledge that it was not going to be enforceable," Davis says. "It was a symbolic gesture."
Still, the crime rate, not that high to begin with, plummeted after the law was enacted — by 89%, compared with a 10% drop statewide, according to published accounts. Davis says there were 11 burglaries per 1,000 residents before the law, 2.7 after. Despite slight fluctuations, she says, crime here "is significantly lower" than similar-sized Georgia cities. http://www.usatoday.com/story/.....s-deterrent/2048059/
KENNESAW, Ga. — The exception-riddled mandatory gun-ownership law just passed by the town of Nelson, 33 miles to the north, is modeled on a similar law enacted more than three decades ago by the city of Kennesaw.
In 1982, Kennesaw was a city of about 5,000, "a rural population of Southern conservatives, strong Second Amendment advocates," city spokeswoman Pam Davis says. The city enacted the measure in response to a law passed in Morton Grove, Ill., that outlawed gun ownership.
"When the law was passed, it was common knowledge that it was not going to be enforceable," Davis says. "It was a symbolic gesture."
Still, the crime rate, not that high to begin with, plummeted after the law was enacted — by 89%, compared with a 10% drop statewide, according to published accounts. Davis says there were 11 burglaries per 1,000 residents before the law, 2.7 after. Despite slight fluctuations, she says, crime here "is significantly lower" than similar-sized Georgia cities. http://www.usatoday.com/story/.....s-deterrent/2048059/
Shadow would like you to believe his piece... even though it is not true.
Morton Grove, Illinois is a suburb of the huge city of Chicago, where no doubt, some Chicago residents will travel by car for the purpose of armed robbery and other crimes. Kennesaw is a far more rural community, much farther from a larger community, where most crime will be by local residents.
FBI crime statistics for 2003 provide the most recent equal models for comparison of the two cities which are roughly comparable in population. Morton Grove has 22, 966 and Kennesaw 25, 183 for the purposes of this 2003 actual crime figures comparison.
In 2003, Morton Grove had 2 murders and Kennesaw just 1. But both figures are subject to yearly fluctuations, where some years neither community will have an incident classified as a murder.
In 2003, Morton Grove had 4 robberies compared to 7 in Kennesaw. The Kennesaw figures are much higher than Morton Grove's for that year, and guns are often the weapon of choice in a robbery.
In 2003, Morton Grove had 12 aggravated assaults compared to the higher number of 15 in Kennesaw.
In 2003, Morton Grove had 70 burglaries compared to the much higher number of 89 in Kennesaw. Many burglars may carry a gun in case of being surprised by security or a property owner.
In 2003, Morton Grove had 390 incidents of larceny and theft compared 455 examples in Kennesaw.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
So the guy was open carrying and there wasn't a mass shooting, I don't believe it, according to liberals this should of ended in bloodshed I love the reaction of the women who no doubt brainwashed her kid into being scared of a natural right
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
So the guy was open carrying and there wasn't a mass shooting, I don't believe it, according to liberals this should of ended in bloodshed I love the reaction of the women who no doubt brainwashed her kid into being scared of a natural right
Henry... she was extreme, but the overall view was how America views YOU WHEN YOU ARE PACKIN'. This wasn't only one hysterical woman... there were 20 calls to 911 over this GunHugger. I'm sure that there would have been more calls except that many who would have called knew that others had already reported the incident. Parents ended the game early because of this GunHugger... I guess they figured that their kids safety was more important than a little league game.
Henry, I understand that YOU JUST DON'T GET IT! You see this as a man who was carrying a gun legally... end of story. Much of America sees a Gun Nut out for intimidation... and his intimidation worked. (I bet the GunHugger in question ended up with a 'stiffie' after all that intimidation and attention. What a guy!
What Henry sees when he reads this story:
What the rest of America sees when they read this story:
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
They were so afraid they called in more people who were open carrying...doesn't make sense, oh but they were wearing uniforms so those open carrying people were ok to the brainwashed LMAO. So how about you box, would you automatically think Lanza if this guy walked past you or would you think oh just a guy open carrying?
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
They were so afraid they called in more people who were open carrying...doesn't make sense, oh but they were wearing uniforms so those open carrying people were ok to the brainwashed LMAO. So how about you box, would you automatically think Lanza if this guy walked past you or would you think oh just a guy open carrying?
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
They were so afraid they called in more people who were open carrying...doesn't make sense, oh but they were wearing uniforms so those open carrying people were ok to the brainwashed LMAO. So how about you box, would you automatically think Lanza if this guy walked past you or would you think oh just a guy open carrying?
I see a guy with a holstered weapon and clearly displaying a badge....not concerning I see a yahoo in civies wearing a holstered gun AT A KIDS BASEBALL GAME, then I would be a little concerned. This guy is example of why people think gun laws need to be stricter. Just because you have a carry permit does not mean you should walk around al the time with the thing holstered at your waist...IT'S GOING TO RAISE CONCERNS! Clearly act of a MACHO MAN to show he has a gun and walk around in public. Put it away a$$hole or conceal it. The wild west ain't round no mo!
JUST BECAUSE SISSY SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO...BUT HE THINKS IT DOES!!!!! JUST BECAUSE MC1 SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO!!!!!
I see a guy with a holstered weapon and clearly displaying a badge....not concerning I see a yahoo in civies wearing a holstered gun AT A KIDS BASEBALL GAME, then I would be a little concerned. This guy is example of why people think gun laws need to be stricter. Just because you have a carry permit does not mean you should walk around al the time with the thing holstered at your waist...IT'S GOING TO RAISE CONCERNS! Clearly act of a MACHO MAN to show he has a gun and walk around in public. Put it away a$$hole or conceal it. The wild west ain't round no mo!
I'm not a big fan of open carry myself but people need to relax, the guy broke no laws, he didn't threaten anyone, and he wasn't waiving it around. You're right this isn't the wild west anymore, the pussification of America has been going on for decades
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
I'm not a big fan of open carry myself but people need to relax, the guy broke no laws, he didn't threaten anyone, and he wasn't waiving it around. You're right this isn't the wild west anymore, the pussification of America has been going on for decades
The only law he broke was being stupid! (Yah, I know it's not a law becuz that would be stupid!) I hate people that do stupid things and ruin for everyone else!
JUST BECAUSE SISSY SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO...BUT HE THINKS IT DOES!!!!! JUST BECAUSE MC1 SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO!!!!!
I'm not a big fan of open carry myself but people need to relax, the guy broke no laws, he didn't threaten anyone, and he wasn't waiving it around. You're right this isn't the wild west anymore, the pussification of America has been going on for decades
"people need to relax, the guy broke no laws"... Neither did Adam Lanza before he started shooting. I hope this opens your eyes just a little Henry, to what others think of GunHuggers.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
Logged
I love the reaction of the women who no doubt brainwashed her kid into being scared of a natural right 
