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| Surrounded by bill supporters, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signs House Bill 60 into law during a signing event Wednesday, April 23, 2013, in Ellijay, Ga. The bill makes several changes to the state's gun law. It allows those with a license to carry to bring a gun into a bar without restriction and into some government buildings that don't have certain security measures. It also allows religious leaders to decide whether it's OK for a person with a carry license to bring a gun into their place of worship. |
ELLIJAY, Ga.
(AP) -- Criticized by one group as the "guns everywhere" bill, Georgia
took a big step Wednesday toward expanding where licensed carriers can
take their weapons, with the governor signing a law that allows them in
bars without restriction and in some churches, schools and government
buildings under certain circumstances.
Following
mass shootings in recent years, some states have pursued stronger
limits on guns while others like
Georgia have taken the opposite path,
with advocates arguing that people should be allowed to carry weapons as
an issue of public safety. Republicans control large majorities in the
Georgia General Assembly, and the bill passed overwhelming despite
objections from some religious leaders and local government officials.
A
few hundred gun rights supporters gathered at an outdoor pavilion along
a river in north Georgia in the town of Ellijay for the bill signing by
Gov. Nathan Deal and a barbecue. Many sported "Stop Gun Control"
buttons and several had weapons holstered at their side. House Speaker
David Ralston offered a thinly veiled critique of those who might oppose
the bill while describing the people of his district.
"This
is the apple capital of Georgia. And, yes, it's a community where we
cling to our religion and our guns," Ralston said, drawing big applause
in referencing a past comment made by President Barack Obama.
The
bill makes several changes to state law and takes effect July 1.
Besides in bars without restrictions, guns could be brought into some
government buildings that don't have certain security measures, such as
metal detectors or security guards screening visitors. Religious leaders
would have the final say as to whether guns can be carried into their
place of worship.
And school districts would
now be able, if they choose, to allow some employees to carry a firearm
on school grounds under certain conditions.
"This
bill is about the good guys, you guys," bill sponsor Rep. Rick
Jasperse, R-Jasper, told the crowd.
"Amid all the misinformation and
emotions, one must remember that this bill isn't about irresponsibly
arming the masses. This is a bill about safety and responsibility."
Opponents,
however, include Americans for Responsible Solutions, a group
co-founded by former Democratic Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords,
who survived a shooting in 2011 and started a nationwide campaign on gun
control. The group's executive director Pia Carusone on its website
said, "the bill is extremism in action; it moves Georgia out of the
mainstream."
The Georgia Municipal Association
also was among those raising concerns, sending a letter to Deal arguing
local governments couldn't afford to increase security. Deal, in his
remarks, argued the bill empowers local decisions.
"House
Bill 60 will protect law-abiding citizens by expanding the number of
places that they can carry their guns without penalty, while at the same
time this bill respects the rights of private property owners who still
set the rules for their land and their buildings," Deal said.
That would include bar owners, who could post that firearms are not permitted in their establishments.
In
Vienna, a city of about 4,000 residents south of Macon, it would cost
$60,000 annually to increase security at city buildings, said Mayor Pro
Tem Beth English. English, president of the Georgia Municipal
Association, said she supports gun rights and has a carry permit but
worries the added security costs will force the city to increase taxes.
"Do
we raise taxes to provide the police protection or do we take the risk
of potential injury to our public?" English said, noting emotions
sometimes run high at city hall.
Some
religious leaders also opposed the law, saying it will increase
confusion. Under it, the assumption is still that guns aren't allowed
unless otherwise noted. The law adds a provision, however, that those in
violation cannot be arrested or fined more than $100 if they have a
valid permit.
"This is the gun lobby foisting
their agenda on churches, and I think it's a tragic violation of church
and state," said the Rev. Raphael G. Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church.
It's unclear whether any school districts plan to take advantage of the new law, but proponents hope it will deter violence.
"Schools
have been gun-free zones for some time and those have been where some
of the biggest instances of violence have occurred," said Gary Holland, a
retired firefighter from Dawsonville who attended the bill signing. "If
I'm a criminal, I would select a target where I know guns are not
allowed because it would make the pickings easier."
The
bill passed largely along party lines in the House and Senate. The most
prominent Democrat to back the bill was state Sen. Jason Carter, who is
running for governor.
Carter, the grandson of
former President Jimmy Carter, reiterated his support for the Second
Amendment and noted he had worked to improve the bill to "ensure that
places of worship have a real choice on whether to allow guns on their
properties."
