Gov. Perdue Signs HB 89
At approximately 3 p.m. on May 14, 2008, Gov. Sonny Perdue signed HB 89 into law. The bill, sponsored and advocated by GCO, is the most important pro-gun legislation in the history of Georgia. When the bill takes effect on July 1, 2008, it no longer will be a separate crime, for people with firearms licenses to carry a firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol, on public transportation, or in state parks. The bill also relaxes car carry restrictions for people eligible for firearms licenses and tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges.
The author of the bill, Rep. Tim Bearden worked tirelessly to see it passed, and GCO thanks him for his unwavering support. Sen. John Douglas championed the bill in the senate. Both legislators recently received GCO’s Legislator of the Year and Senator of the Year awards, respectively. GCO congratulates the leadership and members of both the senate and the house for shepherding this important legislation, and the governor for signing it into law.
GCO also wishes to thank its many members who attended public hearings (that Maureen Downey of the AJC claims never occurred) and media events, and who contacted their legislators and the governor in support of the bill. Without the support of GCO members, this “dangerous bill” that makes Georgia “become less safe” (according to Ms. Downey) never would have been possible.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
GCO, thank you so much for your tireless work to bring this tremendous legislative victiory to the citizens of Georgia!
May 14th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
[...] Gun law improvement in GA HB89 click link Georgia Carry : An information clearinghouse for Georgia Firearms License issues and news Blog Archive Gov. Perdue Signs HB 89 This bill that was signed into law today removes many unreasonable restriction on licensed firearms owners in GA. We still have room for improvement in GA gun laws, but this is a big step. Now if only the jim crow public gathering laws will be repealed we will be doing really well. [...]
May 14th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
GCO leadership and fellow members, Rep. Tim Bearden, and Sen. Douglas:
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for working so hard and restoring one of our civil rights.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
thank you all for your hard work
May 14th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Thank you GCO – fantastic job!! Thanks also to everybody who called and emailed the Gov. – I’m sure it made a huge difference.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
thank you again
May 14th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
In under 2 years of existence, GeorgiaCarry has accomplished more in this legislative session (HB 89) than in the last 20! Thanks to the board of GCO, Rep. Bearden, Sen. Douglas, Gov. Perdue and all the various state Representatives and Senators for the confidence you have placed in Georgia’s law abiding citizens!
May 14th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
As a recent carry permit appilcant and now carry permit holder I was amazed at how many restrictions there were in our state on guns. Criminals don’t have any restrictions on them but law abiding citizens do, it just didn’t make much sense. I am saying hats off to Rep. Tim Bearden, and Sen. Douglas for their efforts to remove some of the restrictions placed on gun owners!
May 14th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
GCO is doing an OUTSTANDING job, and I’m proud to be part of such an effective professional organization. You are doing the State of GA proud.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Thanks GCO! This is indeed a great day for Georgia gun owners. (more at this link)
May 14th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Outstanding. I am proud to be a member of GCO. Thanks to all who worked so hard for passage of this important legislation…
May 14th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Excellent work, folks! The VCDL blog, The Sentinel, salutes you!
May 14th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
High Fives All Around to Georgia Carry!…
A hat tip and big congratulations to Joe Mama, a reader and brother in arms out of Georgia, who sent me some excellent news for the citizens of the Peach State!Perdue signs law allowing guns in restaurantsConcealed weapons now allowed in parks, on publ…
May 14th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
It is, I think, significant that Sonny actually “signed” the bill into law. Under GA Constitution he could have let it become law by default without his signature. So by actually putting is sig on it he made a statement.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Thanks GCO; many emails, phone calls, and faxes later; we’re here. We can’t give up now though, the anti 2A folks will now try the courts.
Stay strong and focused my friends
May 15th, 2008 at 7:02 am
To Everybody at GCO , I am so proud to be a part of this Organization.
Thanks for Everything
May 15th, 2008 at 7:12 am
way to go, GCO!!!
May 15th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Well done GCO! Mayor Shirley Franklin’s comments today about this bill being signed into law constitue an out and out INSULT to every concealed carry permit holder in the state!
May 15th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Thank You GCO. And thank you, Governor Purdue, for following the peoples will. I believe that there is still an overwhelming majority of Georgians that support this measure and the Second Amendment.
I also applaud all who took the time to write their represenatives. If they don’t hear from us then they won’t vote our will. Tell this to every young person you know, they are really starting to lose faith in government.
Now its time to write them about the Vitter Amendment supporting reciprocity across all states. I truly hope that someday, the gun bans in Il, Ny, and DC will be lifted.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
sorry to hear that Perdue. Now we have allowed several nut cases more
opportunity to hurt and kill. Not having a criminal record and having an ability to obtain a gun does not make one the smartest of the bunch. Now I fear more
being in public. way to go.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Thank you GCO. Someday hopefully the all the citizens of Georgia will realize and appreciate what was accomplished and learn to cherish these freedoms.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Good work guys and Thank You, You have done a great service for all Georgians. Finally criminals will have to worry before they enter a business with intent to harm, rob citizens. As it should be the criminal will be looking over THEIR shoulder for whom maybe in the room with them. I have said for years that outside every public gathering criminals know the GOVERNMENT has disarmed everyone exiting that place and they have all been prepared to be victims. Keep up the good work No one has any reason to fear a Licensed Firearm Holder except criminals.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Thanks So Much! We Must All Remember: “When guns are outlawed only criminals will have guns!”
Now those criminals may think twice!
June 13th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Thanks,for all you people do for the law abiding people of georgia.I am pleased to be a member of of a group of hard working people.
AND THANKS AGAIN