Posted on 02/01/2008 8:40:44 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
Some in Georgia are trying to expand the rights of gun owners. The state house passed a bill Thursday that would allow Georgians to carry guns at bus stops, churches, and even restaurants that serve alcohol.
A nationwide advocacy group says Georgia state officials aren't doing enough to crack down on gun violence. New scorecards released Thursday by the "Brady" Campaign say Georgia scores just 9 out of 100 points in it's efforts to limit violence. Some lawmakers, of course, disagree. Critics say Georgia is failing to protect it's citizens and is too lenient in giving guns to the wrong people.
"It's real out here, it's not something you just see on TV, it's real out here," said Ashley Johnson. He still feels the effects of gun violence. "If you play with guns, something bad is about to happen, don't open the doors to it, you know," he said.
Johnson's 16-year old brother Andre was killed in a gang related shooting in Dalton last summer. "It could be your son, it could be your daughter," Johnson said.
Johnson is disturbed with the state's plan to expand gun owner rights. "That's just opening the door for other reactions," he said.
North Georgia state representative, Ron Forster supports the bill. "It wasn't the gun being violent, it was the person," he said. Rep. Forster understands Johnson's pain, but said citizens second amendment rights are only to protect them. "Disarming law abiding citizens is not the means to go about to protect people."
For Johnson, though, current state law isn't tough enough. "I think there should be some kind of check up on that, you know because whose to say that somebody's not buying a gun for somebody else," Johnson said.
The suspects charged with Andre's killing somehow had access to deadly weapons. "Now, these kids aren't playing, they're out there just killing each other," Johnson said.
Rep. Forster insists lawmakers are doing all they can to stay tough, without restricting rightful owners. Johnson reacted, saying, "They might be trying to do what they can, but I think it needs more attention."
Johnson believes that if the law was working, his brother likely would be alive. "Whose to say, you know it could be another kid next time, you know."
The Georgia gun bill passed the House of Representatives Thursday and now needs approval from the Senate. From there, the bill would go to Governor Perdue's desk for final approval.
“Johnson’s 16-year old brother Andre was killed in a gang related shooting in Dalton last summer.”
Don’t be in or associate with gangs. Gun availability had nothing to do with is death.
That would be up to those ‘private property’ wants. If they don’t want people carrying guns there, thats up to them.
It's called burglary.
Happened to me here in Homestead. 19 year old gang banger broke into my house while I was at work and stole a handgun. He was caught committing armed robbery with it and was subsequently charged with armed robbery, drug possession, carrying a concealed weapon and grand theft (handgun cost in excess of $1K) It was his second offense for drugs and guns.
BTW, the judge gave him probation on the drug charges and he walked on all the others. I called the state attorney's office and asked them if they waiting for him to commit a 'real' crime, such as murder, before they sent him away.
Guns ain't the problem. The system is broke.
There must have been some mitigating factors that impacted his sentencing. Was he from a broken home? Maybe he was bottle-fed as an infant and grew up without the same sense of security that a breast-fed baby has. Perhaps he was teased when he was a youngster. Maybe he ate too much junk food. Maybe the village that raised him failed to instill the proper self esteem. I think you probably share some of the blame for this poor victim’s plight. As a member of his village, did you provide the nurturing that he needed?
Oh man, now I feel guilty. :)
How could I!!!
He had my gun..............
“New scorecards released Thursday by the “Brady” Campaign say Georgia scores just 9 out of 100 points in it’s efforts to limit violence.”
It’s scored like golf, right? Low score actually wins?
Gun control is firm stance, solid grip, clear sight picture, and breath control.
Lock and Load.
ping!
You guys down there in Georgia have it pretty good! Here in Minnesota we actually have to buy them
I'm sorry that Johnson's brother was killed, but Johnson is an idiot if he thinks any gun law would have kept his brother from being shot.
Criminals are by definition people who do not obey laws, and gun laws are only laws, not guarantees that criminals won't obtain or use them illegally. It is strict gun laws that keep honest, law abiding people from owning guns, but those same laws also make those law abiding people helpless unarmed victims of armed criminals who laugh at the well intended but poorly thought out laws forbidding or severely restricting possession of guns.
I am unalterably convinced that incalculably more innocent people have been killed or injured because of gun control laws than have ever been saved from death or injury by those laws. If common sense and rational thought prevailed on that subject in the minds of the voters instead of irrational fear and emotionalism, that fact would be recognized and most gun laws would be either repealed or the legislators who support them would be removed from office at the next election.
The bill is DOA in the Senate.
I just renewed my concealment permit in Fulton County....
Have had my concealment permit for over 20 years and carry everywhere (including events, schools and alchohol serving resturaunts).
If you are caught in a prohibited zone but are a legitmate concealed permit holder, the penalty is a misdemeanor and does not necessarily affect your ability to carry.
Of course, the weapon is concealed so who is going to know anyways?
Look at Kennessaw, GA. Most everybody is armed and you don’t hear or see about prolonged gunfights.
***”Critics say Georgia is failing to protect it’s citizens and is too lenient in giving guns to the wrong people”
You guys down there in Georgia have it pretty good! Here in Minnesota we actually have to buy them***
That’s a thing I have with anti-gunners. They just don’t understand that the only places you are GIVEN a firearm is if you join the military, or local police. In every other case you have to purchase your own.
I’m not sure about armed guards, ie. driving the money trucks.
Here just about 30 miles east outside of Atlanta where gun-owners and hunters quite frequently ride around in their pick-ups with rifles proudly displayed in their back windows, we don’t have too much gun violence. It happens as everywhere, but it’s not like in Atlanta!
We hear about a murder or shooting or 3 daily there on the news. Might get one here about twice a year.
The bill is dead in the sense that it almost certainly wont be acted on. Technically, it is alive until the end of the session in April.
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