GA: Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008

Status
Not open for further replies.
It's a complete reform of GA's gun laws.

Some of the high points:
Eliminates ban on carry at "public gatherings" (all of them)
Eliminates need for license for open carry
Consolidates off-limits areas to one code section
Streamlines license issue process
Provides recourse for applicants when licenses are not issued in a timely manner
No license required for any mode of car-carry
"Katrina" clause to prevent gun seizure during emergencies
"Bloomberg" clause making it a state felony to facilitate straw purchases
...and more :)

Nearly all of the changes were shamelessly stolen from laws already on the books in other states. Hopefully, this will help fence-sitters (and maybe opponents) see that these changes make sense and have worked for years in other parts of the country.
 
Nearly all of the changes were shamelessly stolen from laws already on the books in other states.
Click to expand...

There's nothing "shameful" about learning from other states' successful programs. Good ideas deserve to be credited, of course, and perpetuated, perpetuated, perpetuated.
 
Standing Wolf said:
There's nothing "shameful" about learning from other states' successful programs. Good ideas deserve to be credited, of course, and perpetuated, perpetuated, perpetuated.
Click to expand...

Of course not. My tongue was jammed firmly in my cheek...

Most people don't know that, of the 48 states that permit carry, GA has the longest list of off-limits areas. Hopefully all that will change by July 1, 2008.
 
In my opinion, the most ambiguous of Georgia's current firearms laws has got the be the "public gatherings" clause. I mean, really, if I go talk to my neighbor and his wife, that's pretty much a public gathering. If 915 gets rid of (EDIT: or at least changes the wording) just that one confusing restriction regarding carrying, I'd be over-joyed. I've got a friend who just applied for a permit to carry, and I'm going to apply either tomorrow or the day after. Today I need to write a letter and get active.
 
There's nothing "shameful" about learning from other states' successful programs. Good ideas deserve to be credited, of course, and perpetuated, perpetuated, perpetuated.
Click to expand...

Gotta agree with that statement.
 
Nobody's_Hero said:
In my opinion, the most ambiguous of Georgia's current firearms laws has got the be the "public gatherings" clause. I mean, really, if I go talk to my neighbor and his wife, that's pretty much a public gathering. If 915 gets rid of (EDIT: or at least changes the wording) just that one confusing restriction regarding carrying, I'd be over-joyed. I've got a friend who just applied for a permit to carry, and I'm going to apply either tomorrow or the day after. Today I need to write a letter and get active.
Click to expand...

Don't forget that you could get 20 years in prison for carrying within a "reasonable distance" of a bus stop.

Of course, you'd only get 10 years for actually getting on the bus and hijacking it...

GA's gun laws need serious changes and this bill is the bill to do it.
 
Rep. Tim Bearden of the 68th District is the author of the bill.

He will be holding a press conference on the steps of the capitol building at 10am January 10, 2008.

We need thousands of people out there to show support.
 
From DJAteohAte's synopsis, this looks like a good bill and one long overdue in GA.

The key thing in getting is passed is to not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. By that I mean that gun rights advocates should be prepared to compromise if necessary to get most of it passed.

In particular, open carry without a license could be a deal breaker for fence sitters. Considering the inherent limited usefulness of open carry, I wouldn't let the whole bill go down over it.

JMO.
 
Frankie,

GA is a southern state with all Republicans in charge of the State Congress and Gov. I think sliding open-carry into this bill a way to ensure it makes it rhough the process. This bill shouldn't placate modrates, it should placate conservatives.
 
Hey, I'm good with it. Let's see what happens.

I'm just going by the fact that so much nonsense was crammed into GA's shall issue CCW law to get it passed that I'm thinking there must be some significant opposition out there.

Of all the things in this new proposal, the part of it I see as most likely to rally the opposition is unlicensed open carry.

So that's the part that I would toss overboard if necessary to get the rest of it through.

But if it's not necessary, if we can get it all, we certainly should try.
 
There's nothing "shameful" about learning from other states' successful programs. Good ideas deserve to be credited, of course, and perpetuated, perpetuated, perpetuated.
Click to expand...
That is the idea of the 10th amendment.
 
Georgia just does not strike me as a state where open carry bothers people.

Don't see it being a big deal. :confused:
 
LAR-15 said:
Georgia just does not strike me as a state where open carry bothers people.
Click to expand...

That's the odd thing. Most people already think that no license is required for open carry, even a lot of cops.

Maybe now we can get the law to match public opinion...
 
Why would open carry rough the process? It's already legal in GA (As long as you have a permit...). The only reason I wouldn't carry openly in GA is the ridiculous long list of prohibited places. I would not want to get caught if I accidentally wandered into the wrong place.... That's one thing AL has over GA. The list of prohibited places is.. well.. 1 place :p The rest of the places generally have armed guards and metal detectors so it's rather obvious :p
 
I've got my fingers crossed and my letter of support to Mr. Bearden is almost finished.

I'm glad to see they are trying to do away with the "public gatherings" clause. Potential changes would include allowing owners to carry into establishments where alcohol is served (No, I don't and never will intend to drink and carry, but I would enjoy the ability to carry into O'Charley's when I have no intention of ponying up to the bar, but would rather just simply have a night out with the family without having to leave my gun in my car parked not in an adjacent parking lot :rolleyes:).

As someone said before, I think we may be asking for too much here (yep, sounds ironic, asking too much for something we're already technically supposed to have rights to), and will have to compromise on some of these changes. For instance, I really don't see the college campus carry bans going away any time soon.

To give non-GA-residents an idea of how absurd and poorly written the current laws are:

From O.C.G.A. § 16-11-126 (d):

"This Code section shall not forbid any person who is not among those enumerated as ineligible for a license under Code Section 16-11-129 from transporting a loaded firearm in any private passenger motor vehicle in an open manner and fully exposed to view or in the glove compartment, console, or similar compartment of the vehicle . . . "

So basically, you can either have your pistol in plain sight or completely hidden from view. I fully support the right of law abiding citizens to put their guns wherever they feel is most convenient in their vehicle, but I chuckle whenever I read this because to me it's like, "Well, Duh." I guess you couldn't duct tape it to the roof of your car, if I'm reading it right. Bill 915 has this part of (d) struck-through with intent to be omitted in the future.
 
^^^ IIRC you are required to carry a pistol in a holster as well. It says something like (this is from memory, so probably not exactly right) "Shoulder holster, waist-holster, or any other holster"

Uhhhh... why not just say 'holster' because 'any other holster' covers shoulder and waist too. In fact, why bother with holster. Carrying mexican style is stupid, but so what?
 
kurtmax said:
^^^ IIRC you are required to carry a pistol in a holster as well. It says something like (this is from memory, so probably not exactly right) "Shoulder holster, waist-holster, or any other holster"

Uhhhh... why not just say 'holster' because 'any other holster' covers shoulder and waist too. In fact, why bother with holster. Carrying mexican style is stupid, but so what?
Click to expand...

OCGA 16-11-126

(c) This Code section shall not permit, outside of his or her home, motor vehicle, or place of business, the concealed carrying of a pistol, revolver, or concealable firearm by any person unless that person has on his or her person a valid license issued under Code Section 16-11-129 and the pistol, revolver, or firearm may only be carried in a shoulder holster, waist belt holster, any other holster, hipgrip, or any other similar device, in which event the weapon may be concealed by the person's clothing, or a handbag, purse, attache case, briefcase, or other closed container. Carrying on the person in a concealed manner other than as provided in this subsection shall not be permitted and shall be a violation of this Code section.
Click to expand...
 
Uhhhh... why not just say 'holster' because 'any other holster' covers shoulder and waist too. In fact, why bother with holster. Carrying mexican style is stupid, but so what?
Click to expand...

Don't ever become a lawmaker. You wouldn't make a good one at all, people might accidentally understand you.

I think some of these extra words were just thrown into our firearms code as a result of 'feel good' legislation. They sure do try to make it incomprehensible for honest citizens, and the crooks don't even read the laws, so . . .

I just finished my letter to Tim Bearden and sent another Tony Sellier, my district representative. I don't know if they actually read the stuff or just pay their secretaries to summarize it/chunk it, but I can't make it to ATL on the 10th.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
From Georgia - HB 915 - Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008
Replies
6
Views
576
duffydog
D
Buzz
  • Locked
Georgia Members of THR, a call to ARMS!!!!!!
Replies
2
Views
387
pyromaster
P
Cavalier Knight
  • Locked
2008 Presidential Gun Rights Pledge
Replies
22
Views
865
Art Eatman
A
G
  • Locked
Support Second Amendment Protection Act
Replies
2
Views
507
xd9fan
X
J
  • Locked
MI Legislature Passes Emergency Powers Protection Act
Replies
0
Views
299
Juna
J
Back
Top