State Senate Passes Gun Bill

The State Senate passed a watered down version of HB 89, a contoversial gun bill that would allow licensed gun owners to keep their weapons in their car at work, if the employer gives the O.K..

The National Rifle Association did not want to require employer permission, but Georgia's business community lobied hard for the change.

As the bill stands now, some are worried that the measure doesn't go far enough to protect the rights of businesses located on rental property. Lawmakers who opposed the bill, say it tramples on the rights of business operators who rent from property owners.

State Senator David Adelman, a Democrat from Atlanta, spent nearly 30 minutes defending his amendment to the proposed bill that would let business renters decide whether to allow guns on the premises not the property owner.

Adelman says his bill is about the safety of customers and employees. "If Georgia business owners want to prohibit firearms where they do business, they should be permitted to do so," says Adelman, even if the property owner says guns are allowed.

Adelman's amendment, however, was defeated. Because of the changes, the bill now goes back to the House for consideration.