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http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/me...2/guns_0403.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
April 03, 2008
Senate OKs concealed guns in eateries, MARTA
Georgians with concealed weapons permits could carry guns on MARTA trains,
and into restaurants as long as they don't drink, under a bill that passed
the Senate after two rounds of contentious debate Wednesday.
-------------------------------
Do you agree with the Senate? Should guns be allowed in restaurants and
MARTA trains?
Yes 85.84% 4461
No 14.16% 736
-------------------------------
Senators tacked the provisions onto HB 257, a bill that would have allowed
Magistrate Court constables to carry guns, and significantly expanded its
scope.
The last minute changes come after months of intense pressure from the
National Rifle Association and Georgia gun groups to loosen the state's
weapons laws.
The Republican-controlled Senate has struggled with gun legislation
throughout the past two sessions, caught between the NRA and business
interests about whether employees should have the right to keep weapons in
the cars they park on company lots.
In 2007, after bitter behind-the-scenes confrontations, the Senate killed
the legislation. In February, the Senate agreed on a watered-down version of
the NRA-backed proposal and placed it in HB 89, a bill originally intended
to relax the rules on where handguns can be kept in vehicles. But the Senate
then declined to negotiate with the House over changes to the bill, stalling
the measure. HB 89, sponsored by Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica) a former police
officer, would have allowed guns in churches, sporting events and political
rallies.
Senators saw an opening Wednesday to revive the debate.
Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) said concealed weapon permit holders are
responsible citizens who deserve to carry guns. "Because we do live in a
dangerous time, it is our responsibility to allow honest people to protect
themselves and their families," he said.
Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) urged fellow senators to think about whether
they wanted armed people on the city's public transportation system.
"Is it wise to send the message that it's open season for gun-toters on
MARTA?" she asked.
Orrock also questioned the practicality of enforcing the no-drinking rule
for gun carriers at restaurants.
She asked whether lawmakers should broaden the scope of the law to "allow
people armed to the teeth with alcohol within arms length."
The bill nearly was killed earlier in the day when a Democrat tried to add
an amendment that would have lengthened it so much that it would have to be
put back on the calendar. The amendment from Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta)
would have required public universities to come up with emergency safety
plans in the wake of the deadly massacre at Virginia Tech.
Fort said he knew the amendment would trigger the rule that could force his
fellow lawmakers to scuttle the bill.
"I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," he said.
Senators hurriedly voted to table the bill and the amendments, taking it up
late in the evening. The bill passed 37 to 17 and now goes back to the
House, which has been more open to expanding the rights of gun owners.
April 03, 2008
Senate OKs concealed guns in eateries, MARTA
Georgians with concealed weapons permits could carry guns on MARTA trains,
and into restaurants as long as they don't drink, under a bill that passed
the Senate after two rounds of contentious debate Wednesday.
-------------------------------
Do you agree with the Senate? Should guns be allowed in restaurants and
MARTA trains?
Yes 85.84% 4461
No 14.16% 736
-------------------------------
Senators tacked the provisions onto HB 257, a bill that would have allowed
Magistrate Court constables to carry guns, and significantly expanded its
scope.
The last minute changes come after months of intense pressure from the
National Rifle Association and Georgia gun groups to loosen the state's
weapons laws.
The Republican-controlled Senate has struggled with gun legislation
throughout the past two sessions, caught between the NRA and business
interests about whether employees should have the right to keep weapons in
the cars they park on company lots.
In 2007, after bitter behind-the-scenes confrontations, the Senate killed
the legislation. In February, the Senate agreed on a watered-down version of
the NRA-backed proposal and placed it in HB 89, a bill originally intended
to relax the rules on where handguns can be kept in vehicles. But the Senate
then declined to negotiate with the House over changes to the bill, stalling
the measure. HB 89, sponsored by Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica) a former police
officer, would have allowed guns in churches, sporting events and political
rallies.
Senators saw an opening Wednesday to revive the debate.
Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) said concealed weapon permit holders are
responsible citizens who deserve to carry guns. "Because we do live in a
dangerous time, it is our responsibility to allow honest people to protect
themselves and their families," he said.
Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) urged fellow senators to think about whether
they wanted armed people on the city's public transportation system.
"Is it wise to send the message that it's open season for gun-toters on
MARTA?" she asked.
Orrock also questioned the practicality of enforcing the no-drinking rule
for gun carriers at restaurants.
She asked whether lawmakers should broaden the scope of the law to "allow
people armed to the teeth with alcohol within arms length."
The bill nearly was killed earlier in the day when a Democrat tried to add
an amendment that would have lengthened it so much that it would have to be
put back on the calendar. The amendment from Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta)
would have required public universities to come up with emergency safety
plans in the wake of the deadly massacre at Virginia Tech.
Fort said he knew the amendment would trigger the rule that could force his
fellow lawmakers to scuttle the bill.
"I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," he said.
Senators hurriedly voted to table the bill and the amendments, taking it up
late in the evening. The bill passed 37 to 17 and now goes back to the
House, which has been more open to expanding the rights of gun owners.