Georgia currently requires that those without a firearms license must when driving either have their guns open and fully exposed to view or placed in the glovebox or console.  Representative Timothy Bearden, 68th District, has introduced HB 7, which would allow those not ineligible for a firearms license to carry a loaded or unloaded firearm anywhere in a car, even without the possession of a firearms license (this is already the law for those holding a firearms license).  This would get rid of the silly “open manner and fully exposed to view” language that the Georgia Courts have interpreted in such a manner as to criminalize possession of a gun if one police officer could see it at a traffic stop but another could not.  HB 7 would be a welcome change to Georgia’s firearm’s laws.

Representative Bobby Franklin, 43rd District, has introduced HB 6, which states emphatically that nobody acting under color of state law may seize, even temporarily, firearms, unless the seizure is pursuant to the investigation of a crime.  The bill grants a right of action in the courts of this state for aggrieved individuals and provides for an award of attorney fees to the prevailing party in any action for the return of a seized firearm in violation of the new law.  The state and its political subdivisions may not avail themselves of the attorney fee provision.

This same sort of bill passed unanimously in Florida last year.  That is, not even one anti-gun politician voted against it.  Georgia can do the same.

 Contact your representative and ask him to support HB 6!

A news story, here, states that the Clarke County School Board is considering arming its school security officers.  “School board members voted Nov. 9 to wait 30 days to approve or reject a plan to arm security supervisors in order to let the public weigh in on the proposal.  Of the 12 comments submitted to school board members by late last week, seven oppose  weapons, and three support arming officers. Two remaining responses offered no clear opinion. … Proponents say allowing supervisors - who are school system employees - to carry guns would strengthen school security and prevent violent incidents, but detractors contend weapons are unnecessary and could lead to an accidental shooting.”

Obviously, the tone of the story is that only government employees are competent to carry firearms.

This discussion of arming guards would be entirely unnecessary if Georgia would repeal its felony criminal statute banning the carry of firearms in schools by law abiding adults.  In the words of Cesare Baccaria, “Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants.”  In the south, Alabama and Virginia have no law making it a crime to carry in schools.  Several western states similarly fail to criminalize carry in schools by peacable adults.  Georgia should join them.

The National Park Carry Bill Allen’s bill has now been read twice and is in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, headed up by Senator Pete Domenici from New Mexico.  We need to contact Senator Domenici and urge him to get the bill a vote as soon as possible. Senator Domenici’s web email address is here. 

Suggested copy-and-paste message:

Please bring up Senator Allen’s bill, S 4057, for a vote as soon as possible in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee!

I very much appreciate your help in this matter.

The Five Minute Handbook for Gun Rights Activists is available here.  Please take five minutes from your busy day and review it!

The group Mayors Against Illegal Guns is yet another anti-gun group. They are funded by the same group that funds the Violence Policy Center and Saul Cornell’s revisionist anti-gun “history” research: The Joyce Foundation. The mayors of Atlanta, Athens, and Macon have joined.

Perhaps those that live in either city could call or write and inquire into exactly why your mayor has joined a gun control organization.

Mayor Heidi Davison
Athens-Clarke County: Contact Info Here

Mayor Shirley Franklin
Atlanta: Contact Info Here

Mayor Jack Ellis
Macon: Contact Info Here

The appellant in the federal case against the state and Carroll County has filed his brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.  The state and county have until Dec. 10 to file a response.  Briefs can be viewed here:

http://www.georgiapacking.org/camp

You can make a difference close to home! 

GCO member Kelly Kennett, a Forsyth County resident, spoke to the Forsyth County Commission last night regarding its ordinance banning weapons in county parks.  Mr. Kennett was the only member of the public to speak to the Commission either for or against repealing the ordinance.  The questions and comments from the Commission indicated that they do not want people carrying weapons at ballgames, which is already covered by state law, but are otherwise not bothered by the prospect of peacable citizens carrying arms.

The amendment proposed at the first reading last night (instigated by the tireless efforts of Mr. Kennett) is to strike the ordinance code section and place signs in the parks stating that weapons cannot be carried to public gatherings, citing O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.

Mr. Kennett very carefully explained to the Commissioners how ‘public gatherings’ was defined in the law and how the sign phrasing might still be misleading.

When the wording of the proposed ordinance appears in the minutes, GCO will update this post and consider whether follow up communications with the Forsyth County Commission would be beneficial.  The next county commission meeting is November 16.

GCO lawyers have filed a brief on behalf of the appellant in the Coweta County case before the GA Court of Appeals, to determine if probate judges must issue GFLs within 60 days.

http://www.georgiapacking.org/moore