NE Ga county drops firearms ordinance idea

A northeast Georgia county official will not re-submit a proposed firearms ordinance that would have prevented residents from firing a gun within 300 feet of a home. A recent meeting drew about 100 Madison County residents to protest the proposal. The county commissioner says he introduced the proposal after getting complaints of people firing guns close to their homes. Opponents backed by the National Rifle Association say the law violates the Second Amendment, and rights of property owners.

NRA chief stumps for Chambliss

With the U.S. Senate runoff less than two weeks away, the head of the National Rifle Association Wayne LaPierre is in Georgia to stump for Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss.

LaPierre says Chambliss is a staunch supporter of Second Amendment rights. LaPierre’s not worried that when Democrats control Congress and the presidency next year gun rights will be curtailed.

"The average, working class Democrat man and woman, working man in this country, rank and file Democrat, strongly supports the Second Amendment and wants their rights defended and don't appreciate politicians attacking it."

Democratic challenger Jim Martin does support Second Amendment rights but with certain limitations for criminals and those with mental illnesses.

LaPierre will join Chambliss tonight for a rally in Perry, Georgia.

Governor signs gun bill

Governor Sonny Perdue on Wednesday signed legislation that would allow concealed weapons onto public transportation, into parks and some restaurants. Perdue waited until the final day to sign the controversial legislation into law.

The measure is applauded by gun owners who say they need weapons to protect themselves on public transportation, like MARTA in Atlanta. They also want to take their weapons into restaurants.

The Georgia Restaurant Association and Atlanta city officials, including Mayor Shirley Franklin, had urged the governor to veto the bill. They fear guns in places with a lot of people could spell trouble.

The National Rifle Association had lobbied for the legislation for two years. The new law applies to about 300-thousand Georgians who have proper permits.

Last Day to Veto Bills is Wednesday

Wednesday is the last day for Governor Perdue to veto legislation. One controversial bill still in limbo is HB 89 which would expand the places gun owners with concealed weapons permits can carry their guns.

The bill would allow guns in state parks, some restaurants and on public transportation. One provision in the bill would allow Employees to take their guns into the parking lot at work if the business owner approves it. opponents include Atlanta transportation officials who say it would bring guns into crowded areas.

The Georgia PTA opposes the bill because it would bring guns into parks where children may gather. Gun rights groups including the National Rifle Association say gun owners with concealed permits need to be able to protect themselves in public.

The NRA has been pushing the bill for 2 years. Governor Perdue has until midnight to veto or sign the legislation.

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.

NRA Top Lobbyists Come To Georgia

The National Rifle Association is sending some of it's top leaders to Atlanta Monday to lobby for a gun bill opposed by the state's business community.
The NRA's Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and the NRA's chief lobbyist will meet with Georgia lawmakers, according to the groups' website. They are lobbying for House Bill 89 which is also referred to as the Parking lot bill. It would prevent business owners from telling their employees that they can’t keep guns in their cars at work.

The NRA says the law is needed because of the self defense rights of law abiding citizens while they commute to and from work. Georgia's business community opposes the bill saying property rights outweigh gun rights.

Georgia lawmakers who are up for re-election this year could get and F in the NRA scorecard if they oppose the bill. It is expected to come up soon once the legislative session starts next week.

It’s not clear whether Governor Sonny Perdue would sign or veto the bill if it passes. A similar bill passed in Oklahoma in 2004, but has been halted by a federal judge.