Gov. Deal said he hoped that the state’s newly enacted Safe Carry Protection Act, which makes it legal to carry guns in bars, schools, churches, and some government buildings, would send the message that Georgia was taking its competition with Florida “very, very seriously.”
“In recent years, if you wanted to fire off a gun any damn place you pleased, there was a sense that Florida was the state for you,” he said. “We’re hoping to change that perception.”
—Andy Borowitz
Borowitz was joking about what Governor Deal said, of course, but the law is no joke.
According to the Washington Post article What Georgia’s Expansive New Pro-gun Law Does, the stated purpose of the law — which goes into effect this July — is to protect “the basic constitutional rights of the roughly 5 percent of Georgia residents who hold licenses to carry weapons.”
This law gives added protections to those who have played by the rules – and who can protect themselves and others from those who don’t play by the rules.
—Governor Deal
The most interesting thing to me, besides the fact that guns will be allowed in schools and churches with permission, is it expands the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law. Before, you would have immunity from prosecution if you killed someone using a legal firearm in self-defense. Now, “this bill provides that a person will be immune from prosecution in using deadly force in self-defense or defense of others or property even if the person utilizes a weapon in violation of [the Georgia Firearms and Weapons Act].”
I told Andy it will be an interesting experiment. He doesn’t think it will change anything. Do you agree?
April 24, 2014
I pass. I am not qualified to comment.
I agree with Andy. A very low percentage of gun violence involves concealed carry permit holders. This law isn’t going to change that by expanding the places that guns can be carried.
I don’t have a handgun. I don’t like the idea of others carrying guns in public, even though I have friends who do. Too many people die from gun violence, but the gun culture is so entrenched that little will change in the near future, especially given the Second Amendment rights to bear arms.
It would be nice if they took data to see if it did make any difference one way or another. Presumably the argument for the law is it will stop some crimes. The argument against is there may be more hate crimes with the shooter getting immunity, and maybe more shootings between drunk people.
One example of why the rest of the world regards Americans as dangerous lunatics.
Can’t argue with that.
yup.
exactly what evan said. just one sentence and he hit it right on the head!!! LOLOL.
it’s not really a laughing matter.
we’re a nation of violence. i guess we always have been. look how we went about systematically trying to obliterate the indians.
we’re an open carry state too. though there are certain places they’re still not allowed.
i don’t think college campuses are a mature place for gun carriers. or in cars and traffic with tempers short.
yes. it will definitely be interesting to see what happens.
i think it’s totally stupid.
p.s.
i love your thought provoking posts my monk! xo
My guess is things might get out of hand sometimes in bars and bar parking lots, but we’ll just have to see. Andy and Mike might be right, but I’m glad I don’t live in Georgia anyway. Just in case.