GA CCW holders are halfway there.

[Norm357]

The AJC.com is reporting.....

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.

[Post a comment on this story below.]

Do you agree with the Senate? Should guns be allowed in restaurants and MARTA trains?


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.

P.S. Click the link and hit the poll please.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/met...ge_tab_newstab

[ngcsubutterbar]

last day for session is tomorrow. Hoping we can get something out of this year's work.

[kendral77]

Norm, Thanks for the post. I put my vote in, and I see that there are a large number of people who agree with us that people should be able to carry.

YES 85.87%
NO 14.13%

[jmac_52]

I clicked on YES for you guys as well.

[ngcsubutterbar]

Today is the last day of session. As expected the Atlanta Journal Constitution (Atlanta's main newspaper) are running inflammatory and just plain wrong articles.


At stake are two bills, HB 89 and HB 257. Basically, they include provisions that would allow guns in restaurants (with NO alcohol imbibed), state parks, some employee parking lots and on public transportation — including MARTA trains. We didn't get to repeal the asinine, racist, and archaic 'public gathering' language. However, we are going to continue working and it will be back next year.

[ngcsubutterbar]

Norm are you stopping by the congress places sometime today? HB 257 was just incorporated into HB 89, and we are receiving favorable language from most of the senators on the floor. They have many many things to vote on today.

[Norm357]

Norm are you stopping by the congress places sometime today? HB 257 was just incorporated into HB 89, and we are receiving favorable language from most of the senators on the floor. They have many many things to vote on today.

Nope, I have to work, but I have made several phone calls. ;)

[ngcsubutterbar]

PASSED on both sides. Now all we need is the governors signature or for him to just sit on his arse for a couple of months.