Posted on 04/25/2008 1:36:14 PM PDT by kiriath_jearim
Flanked by Atlanta business, law enforcement and transportation leaders, Mayor Shirley Franklin Thursday urged Gov. Sonny Perdue to veto legislation that would allow Georgians to carry concealed weapons into state parks, restaurants and onto trains and buses.
"This is not about the right to bear arms," Franklin said during a news conference at City Hall. "This is about public safety ... of people who live in Atlanta, live around Atlanta, visit Atlanta or invest in Atlanta."
The bill, passed by the General Assembly on the final day of this year's session, would let about 300,000 holders of concealed weapons permits carry them into certain public places, including restaurants that derive at least 50 percent of their revenue from food sales, and onto public transit, including MARTA trains.
Since Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport houses restaurants and a MARTA station, airport General Manager Ben DeCosta said the measure would leave open to legal interpretation whether concealed firearms could be carried into the world's busiest airport.
"This is no place for people who are not in law enforcement to have weapons," he said.
Ron Wolfe, CEO of the Atlanta Restaurant Association, said the legislation also would create difficult enforcement issues in Georgia eateries.
"It's not practical or reasonable to ask customers if they're packing a gun," he said.
But state Rep. Tim Bearden, R-Villa Rica, the bill's chief sponsor and a former police officer, said the Second Amendment gives Georgians the right to defend themselves.
"We're talking about law-abiding citizens who have gone through background checks and given their fingerprints," he said.
But that's not enough to ensure responsible use of firearms, said Alice Johnson, executive director of Georgians for Gun Safety. She said Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee require applicants for concealed weapons permits to undergo training in firearm safety.
But Bearden said there is no statistical evidence that training requirements result in fewer incidents of reckless gun use.
"The only difference you see with training is less people end up getting a license," he said.
Perdue has until May 14 to sign or veto bills passed by the General Assembly this year. He said he's not sure what he will do with the gun bill.
"We're open and listening to citizens on both sides," Perdue said. "We hope to make a decision soon."
God help me, Sonny, if you veto this bill...
After the condescending and ‘holier-than-thou’ way you handled the Sunday alcohol sales issue, I’m embarrassed that I voted for you.
None of these hysteric claims by the Left about CC have ever been backed up. Yet no matter how many states adopt it, every single time the Leftist go for this same ignorant argument
Let’s put this guy into the woods, at night, alone, with plenty of carnivorous animals around. Pick him up in the morning, if he’s still alive (he’ll probably scare himself to death), then see if he would have liked to have a pistol by his side, in case a bear tried to eat him.
That should probably fix any rabid anti-gun nut.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Did you notice how the media again failed label the party of the Mayor and Police Chief of Atlanta but labeled the gun bill’s sponsor?
Of course it is. If you can't win the debate, change the debate.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
The only real question is how far are people willing to go to defend their rights.
Where are the real Americans? Havent seen too many lately.
Sonny Purdue should sign the bill. In my opinion the bill is not strong enough. Lets see if he is a real conservative. This will be a good test.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
And the argument about restaurants in the airport is bogus. The restaurants are in the secure terminals.
Given that the 2nd and 14th Amendments already give people the right to take guns into the places in question, will somebody please tell me if Georgia presently has a law infringing peoples’ constitutional gun rights?
The United States Constitution means nothing to these people.Sonny knows how he got into office but I dont know if he wont buckle to pressure.Damn.
Hahaha, I always pack when I go into Atlanta.
I lived down town for 15 years and have seen it all.
Sign the Damn Bill Sonny!
It has long been my contention that places like City Hall etc. where guns aren’t permitted should have a gun check area. They are forcing me to be disarmed between my car and that secure area and not providing security in the interim.
Glad to see GA finally cleaning up their overly restrictive CCW laws. I hope plenty of Georgians let the guv know they want these improvements signed into law. You gotta out-shout the vocal antis.
“It’s not practical or reasonable to ask customers if they’re packing a gun,” he said.
At least he’s right that it isn’t reasonable to ask customers if they’re packing a gun, the proprietors really don’t have a need to know.
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