As I know there's at least one Georgian in these parts...

[ExurbanKevin]

... the NRA-ILA has an alert about a rather nice pro-gun bill in the Georgia State House.

HB 875 seeks to make many changes to benefit law-abiding gun owners, shooters and sportsmen alike.  Some of the key improvements and changes include:

• Removal of fingerprinting for renewal of Weapons Carry Licenses (“WCL”).
  
• Prohibiting the state from creating and maintaining a database of WCL holders.
• Creation of an absolute defense for the legal use of deadly force in the face of a violent attack.
• Removal of the sweeping restrictions on legally carrying a firearm with a WCL in churches and bars, leaving this decision to private property owners.
• Lowering the age to obtain a concealed WCL for self-defense from 21 to 18 for active duty military, with specific training.
• Repealing the unnecessary and duplicative state-required license for a firearms dealer, instead requiring only a Federal Firearms License (FFL).
• Preempting a ban on firearms in public housing, ensuring that the right to self-defense should not be infringed based on where one calls home.
• Codifying the ability to legally carry, with a WCL, in sterile/non-secure areas of airports.
• Incorporation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act for mental health reporting.
• Stating that under a declared state of emergency, all law-abiding gun owners will not have their Second Amendment rights restricted or infringed by executive authority through Emergency Powers protection.
• Strengthening current firearms preemption statutes through further clarification of the regulatory authority of local governments, excluding firearm discharge ordinances.
• Allowing school systems to decide whether staff and faculty may carry a firearm on school property, pending approved training, similar to the NRA’s National School Shield program.
• Allowing the lawful carry by WCL holders in government buildings where it is not currently restricted or security screening personnel are posted during regular business hours.

Call, write or visit your elected officials on this. This looks like a good thing to support.

[alfsauve]

Actually, there are several of us Crackers on here.

I don't hold my breath.  My state rep and senator are all on board.  I contribute to the local PAC group to give them ammo to go after the fence sitters.  I'm sure Pegleg does the same.

• Removal of the sweeping restrictions on legally carrying a firearm with a WCL in churches and bars, leaving this decision to private property owners.

This is my main nit.   I work at a church and feel rather defenseless at work.

[kmitch200]

Agreed on the private property rules Alf.  If the church doesn't care why should the state?

I was glad when AZ did this too:
•Removal of fingerprinting for renewal of Weapons Carry Licenses (“WCL”).

It's one of the dumber requirements ever thought of by goobermint buffoons.
Ever try to change your fingerprint? Go ahead and do it, we'll wait here....

[PegLeg45]

I shall watch with great interest.....as well as contact my rep.



I was just in contact with my state Senator for my district (a gun guy) on a different Senate Bill that seeks to do away with our version of the Stand Your Ground Law, and reinstate the duty to retreat.

I doubt it makes it through committee.

[tombogan03884]

Actually Mitch prior to the 60's it was fairly common for career burglars to burn off their fingerprints with acid .
It didn't "change" them, but it did remove them.

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

Agreed on the private property rules Alf.  If the church doesn't care why should the state?

I agree Kelly,

One of the problems with the word "church" is that, sadly, to most people they only think of Sunday morning.  There 6 other days of the week when staff, members and volunteers are working or studying, and we are as vulnerable and exposed as any secular workplace.   Maybe even more as we attract criminals who believe we are easy pickings.  "Office creepers" abound in church offices.   And the more conservative a church is the more likely to attract violent liberals. 

[ExurbanKevin]

The hero of this story is a friend of mine's Dad. While it's from back in 1979, times are just as desperate now as they are then.

[Rastus]

Agreed on the private property rules Alf.  If the church doesn't care why should the state?
<snip>

Let's take this a step further.  If a church believes people have the right to defend themselves and carry a weapon to protect themselves, their family and the innocent and also allows or promotes people carrying in church then is it not a violation for government to dictate what a religion believes?

That's our stand where I am a member. 

We don't tout that for all to hear as in a brag and we don't insist people carry for protection nor do we flash it around for all to see.  We do believe God gives the right to defense and an appropriate tool is a firearm.  So as the Constitution as written merely affirms God given rights then how can government, other than illegally, legislate no weapons in a church when that church otherwise affirms and supports the right to defend oneself/family/friends/innocent and do it with a firearm?