ATLANTA— The Georgia House of Representatives today passed the Safe Carry Protection Act, House Bill 512, by a vote of 117-56. Co-sponsored by State Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton), this legislation would allow licensed weapons holders who have gone through the process of finger printing, a background check, and a mental health inquiry to obtain a Georgia Weapons License to carry their firearms in more places in Georgia than currently allowed by state law.
“This very important piece of legislation expands the rights of Georgians to exercise their Second Amendment rights,” said Rep. Ballinger.
The Safe Carry Protection Act would allow gun owners who have a Georgia Weapons License to carry their weapons in certain areas that are currently restricted by state law. HB 512 would allow property owners, not the government, to decide whether a licensed weapon holder may carry a gun in their places of worship and establishments that primarily serve alcohol beverages. The bill would also allow weapons license holders to carry their firearm in a government building that is not afforded the protection of security services at the entrances or exits of the premises.
Additionally, HB 512 would allow gun owners to carry their firearms on most areas of public college campuses, but would not allow weapons in residence halls and competitive sporting events. Under this bill, private college campuses would be able to determine for themselves whether to allow firearms on campus.
“Private property owners should be allowed to decide for themselves whether or not to allow guns on their property and not have that decision made for them by government mandate,” said Rep Ballinger.
HB 512 also addresses the issue of gun owners who unknowingly bring their weapons to commercial airports. According to the Safe Carry Protection Act, a person who unknowingly brings a weapon within a restricted access area that is clearly marked would be charged with a misdemeanor. If, however, the person has intent to commit a crime when bringing a weapon into a restricted access area, then the person would be charged with a felony offense.
The Safe Carry Protection Act further improves Georgia’s gun laws by strengthening mental health inquiries for obtaining a Georgia Weapons License. HB 512 would make it mandatory for a probate judge to perform an inquiry with the Georgia Criminal Information Center (GCIC) to determine whether the applicant has received involuntary treatment ordered by a court or medical professional. Applicants who have received involuntary treatment within the last five years could only receive a Georgia Weapons License if the probate judge determines that the applicant is mentally fit.
The bill also prevents any person falling into any of the following categories from receiving a Georgia Weapons License: (1) anyone who has been under the care of a guardian or a conservator appointed to represent that person as a result of a mental illness or substance dependency within the last five years; (2) anyone who has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial; (3) anyone who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity; (4) anyone who is a registered sex offender from receiving a Georgia Weapons License; or (5) anyone who has made a threat against another person that was reported to the GCIC within the last five years.
HB 512 would also make changes to fingerprinting requirements for license renewals. According to the bill, fingerprinting will not be required for renewal licenses, but would continue to be required for first time applicants, thereby saving Georgians money.
Another important section of this bill gives sole responsibility for regulating possession, ownership, transportation, carrying, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing, and registration of firearms or other weapons, as well as gun shows, to the General Assembly. This measure is intended to create uniformity in Georgia gun laws by preventing conflicting rules across the state, which will allow Georgians to have confidence in their decision to carry a weapon.
HB 512 further includes language from House Bill 35, introduced earlier this session by state Representative Paul Battles (R-Cartersville). This section of HB 512 would give the Board of Education for each school system in the state the option to designate one or more administrators to possess a weapon in a school safety zone. If a school system decides to participate in this option, chosen administrators would have to meet training requirements proscribed by the local school board. The chose administrators would also have to voluntarily agree to carry a weapon and obtain a Georgia Weapons License.
For more information about HB 512, please click here.
Representative Mandi L. Ballinger represents the citizens of District 23, which includes portions of Cherokee County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves on the Information & Audits, Judiciary Non-Civil, and Transportation committees.
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