HB 89 -- Gun bill -- Passes in House, Senate

The Senate clipped along at a pretty steady pace, working hard to pass a flurry of bills late Friday night. And, things were going along fairly well, ‘till lawmakers got to HB 89. The so-called ‘parking lot’ gun bill allows licensed gun owners with a conceal carry permit to carry (holstered) weapons in public places … like parks, historic sites, recreational and wildlife management areas, as well as on public transportation systems, including MARTA. It would also allow employees to leave weapons in their car at work as long the employer said it was OK. The original bill would have also allowed guns in churches and public gatherings but that was stripped in the final version that won passage. The law also makes it a felony for straw purchases of any firearm. The measure only applies to licensed gun holders who possess a conceal carry permit. Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) has been a consistent critic of the bill, calling the laws on and accountability enforcement lax. The measure passed in the Senate 40- 15; in the House it was approved 106-57. The bill now goes to Governor Perdue for his signature.

Cagle: 'No Appetitie' For New Gun Bill

Michael Knighton of Phenix City, Ala., fires his Ruger pistol at an indoor firing range at Shooters Columbus gun shop in Columbus, Ga. The gun emits a muzzle flash of light as the bullet leaves the barrel. (File photo/Dave Bender)

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle says he doesn't like the idea of loosening the state's concealed weapons laws to allow guns in more public places.

Cagle told reporters today he has "no appetite" for a plan to expand where people with concealed weapons permits may bring a gun, including churches and college campuses. A state senate committee is looking at the issue. Last session, lawmakers approved a bill that permits concealed weapons in state parks, restaurants that serve alcohol and on public transportation.

Cagle, who presides over the state Senate, said state lawmakers "dealt with this issue last year and I think people should be content with where we are."

Last session, lawmakers approved a House Bill 89 that permits concealed weapons in state parks, restaurants that serve alcohol and on public transportation.

(AP)

Click here for more GPB News coverage about HB 89.

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.

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.

No Tax Reform, No Transportation or Trauma Funds

The 2008 legislative session ended last night with name calling and no tax reform.
It was in the 11th our, when it became clear that the State Senate would not give in to House demands for a constitutional amendment to cut the ad valorem tax on cars . House speaker Glenn Richardson had tried all session to get some kind of tax cut to voters. He has started with the so called GREAT Plan that would eliminate all property taxes in lieu of expanded sales taxes. When the only measure left of his original idea did not make it through the House/Senate conference committee he blamed the failure on the Lieutenant governor, a fellow republican.

"It's called the Cagle birthday tax, and every time they pay it they can thank Casey Cagle for leaving it on there," the speaker told his colleagues.

He urged Georgians to flood his office with phone calls and elect a new Lieutenant Governor. For his part Cagle took the comments in stride.

"What's most unfortunate is the name calling and to have a person over there attack your caracter, that's sad, but life goes on."

Cagle defended his position saying he wanted to cut income taxes and the tag tax cut would have taken too much money out of local government funds.

Democrats looked at the in-party fighting with an eye on the November elections.

"What you campaign on is the infighting. The result of the infighting is that the major issues of the state did not get addressed and resolved," said house minority leader Dubose Porter.

The State senate failed to approve a constitutional amendment for a one cent regional transportation tax.,The measure was meant to raise money to ease traffic congrestion, especially in Metro Atlanta. It fell 3 votes short of passing in the Senate.

A ten dollar fee on cars to fund trauma care also failed.
House Majority Leader Jerry Keen said he's not too concerned over trauma care not getting funded this time. He said there is $59 million dollars in the suplemental budget, which should hold the system over until next January. That's when lawmakers could try to fix it again.

Some bills did make it this session. HB 89, the famed parking lot bill made it through but with a lot of alterations. For one, property rights supersede gun rights. The small percentage of Georgians who hold a concealed weapons permint would be allowed to carry guns into some restaurants, but they can't drink. Churches and public sporting events are still off limits.

In some ways the session ended just as it began, with water. The first measure passed by both chambers was the Statewide water plan, the last bill to pass was about reservoirs. That bill enables the construction of reservoirs, but not everyone is happy. Conservationists wanted to add language that prohibits inner- basin transfers. They worry that Metro Atlanta could one day take water from the Savannah or other rivers. But that language did not make it into the bill.

Lawmakers did do what they are constitutionally required to do in 40 days, pass a budget. They approved a 21.2 billion dollar spending plan for the fiscal year which starts July 1. It includes a 2 and half percent pay raise for teachers and state employees.

Senate Committee looks at Georgia gun laws.

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.

Lamaker vows to take gun to the airport

The Lawmaker who sponsored HB 89 says he will carry his gun to the airport today.
Republican state representative Tim Bearden told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the law allows him to take his gun when he picks up family at the worlds busiest airport today.

Airport officials say if he shows up with a gun he will be arrested, but Bearden says if they do so he will sue.

The new law going into effect today allows those with a concealed weapons permit to carry guns onto public transport, into parks and restaurants where alcohol is being served. Federal law prohibits firearms behind the airport security gates, but it's not clear whether that law extends to the main terminal.