Dave Hardy isn’t sure what the gutted version of HB89 really accomplishes other than allowing carry in State parks.
The news article says that it’s limited to CCW holders who have permission from the employer. But that’d make little sense — if you have the parking lot owner’s permission, anyone can store a gun there. So I have no idea what the Senate bill would do in that regard.
So what are the chances of getting rid of Georgia’s other carry restrictions at this point?
Several provisions made it over from HB 915 to HB 89. In addition to the car carry provisi0n (not parking lots, but the original HB 89 that GeorgiaCarry.org was pushing last year, permitting concealed weapons in cars), the Senate Rules Committee attached the provisions from HB 915 that force probate judges to issue firearms licenses within 45 days (GCO had several members who waited more than a year) and the provision that makes straw purchases a felony (Bloomberg Amendment). In addition, the Senate attached an amendment that removes the restriction on Georgia Firearms License holders carrying in State Parks, Historic Sites, and Recreational Areas. This last amendment is one of the goals of HB 915, but this amendment had its own language rather than using language from HB 915.
The State Parks amendment was sadly made possible by a high profile kidnapping and murder that occurred earlier this month in a State Park. I sincerely hope we do not have to wait for high profile murders to occur in each of Georgia’s many off limits locations before Georgians regain the ability to protect themselves in these locations without running afoul of Georgia’s criminal laws.
GCO is still working on amending HB 89 to repeal more places off limits, but regardless of what happens, GCO will continue to urge passage of HB 915, which was just assigned this week to the House Judiciary NonCivil Committee (the next step in the process).
Sadly, if HB 89 passes in its current form, many parking lots are still areas where possession of a gun will make one a criminal. HB 89 affected employer rules, but it did not address Georgia’s criminal laws (other than State Parks).
Therefore, in spite of language in the bill that purports to make “public employers” subject to the law, it is still a CRIME to park in a parking lot adjacent to a publicly owned building. In what other kind of building do public employees work?
Same goes for parking lots at mass transit (bus, train, or plane, and this one is a felony), churches, places that serve alcohol, sporting events, and the list goes on.
In all honesty, I think the NRA was well intentioned at first, but had no real clue about Georgia law.
Thanks for the update.
You’ve been following this more closely than I have–what are your thoughts on today’s developments?
Thanks for the heads up. Looks like a positive development. My take is:
NRA tried and failed to get their full parking lot bill through, and, having to accept a half victory on that issue, brought in most aspects of HB 915, from what it looks like.
Also, the amendment is sponsored by Tim Bearden, who I know works with the GeorgiaCarry.org guys, so it’s possibly everyone decided to kiss and make up, so everyone could go away with something.