A State senate committee looking to expand the number of places where guns can be carried in the state.
Gun lobby groups were successful in passing HB 89 this year. It allows people with gun permits to carry weapons onto public transportation, into state parks and some restaurants. Now they want to repeal a ban on carrying guns to public gatherings, including churches.
Ed Stone is with the group Georgia Carry. He told a senate committee that gun permit holders can be useful. "You don't see crazy people going to gun shows or police stations to shoot them up, he says. "They go to places where they know people are unarmed like in school or in church."
Gun safety advocates worry that untrained gun owners could hurt people. The state does not require weapons training to get a carry permit. The Senate committee will meet at least 3 more times before making recommendations on gun laws to the full state senate next year.
