ATLANTA— State Representative Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta) took to the well before the Georgia House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 18 and spoke in favor of House Bill 875, the Safe Carry Protection Act. HB 875 would primarily expand 2nd Amendment rights for current Georgia Weapons Carry license holders by increasing locations where those individuals can carry their weapons and emphasizing private property.
Representative Lindsey stated:
“This bill is a step in the right direction moving Georgia public policy on gun ownership rights in closer alignment with both the purpose and spirit of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the realities of the world we live in. I congratulate the chair of our Public Safety Committee, the committee’s members, and the authors of the bill. I hope that three times proves to be a charm for our friends in the Senate who have previously failed to act on this, the People’s Chamber’s actions, in our previous two efforts over the past year. I sincerely hope that it is the beginning of an honest dialogue in three areas: the realities and dangers behind the fantasy of merely labeling certain areas as “gun free” zones; the dangers posed from our dysfunctional mental health system; and the responsibility that comes with gun possession in the consumption of alcohol. In the area of so called “Gun Free Zones,” we need to recognize that merely designating under the law such an area without accompanied added security is delusional and counter-productive. Expecting such areas to keep people safe is like expecting a screen door to keep out a burglar. Overall, while Georgia as a whole has seen a reduction in violent crime in recent years, Georgia college campuses have seen an increase.
“In 2012 alone, there were 38 forcible rapes, 46 aggravated assaults and 87 robberies on Georgia campuses. Therefore, without real armed security and screening, people should be allowed in any public place to exercise their Second Amendment right to protect themselves and others. In the area of mental health, a 2011 study at the University of California found direct correlation between homicide rates by the mentally ill and the difficulty of involuntarily committing individuals who pose a threat to themselves and others. Finally, as responsible gun owners know, with the right to bear arms comes the responsibility to do so safely. This is especially true when it comes to the use of alcohol or drugs. While Georgia law makes it a simple misdemeanor to drink in a restaurant while carrying a gun, it is perfectly legal to do so elsewhere. Georgia law makes it illegal and subject to an aggravated misdemeanor to drink and carry a gun only if you discharge the firearm while intoxicated. Just as we have rightly made it illegal to drive while intoxicated even if no accident occurs, we should similarly make it an aggravated misdemeanor to carry a weapon while intoxicated under OCGA 16-11-134.”
House Bill 875 would give current Georgia Weapons Carry license holders broader access to government buildings, if that building does not provide active security at entrances, and allow private property owners to decide on the prohibition or permit of weapons at churches and bars. HB 875 also allows veterans under the age of 21 who have been honorably discharged from service to receive a weapons carry license, eliminates the re-fingerprinting requirement for weapons carry license renewals, prohibits the creation of a database of license holders, and lessens the penalty for license holders who are found carrying a weapon on college campuses. While HB 875 would expand rights for responsible, law-abiding citizens, it also takes measures to improve mental health regulations for Georgia Weapons Carry license applicants. Under HB 875, licenses would be denied to any person who has been deemed “mentally incompetent to stand trial” or any person who is been deemed “not guilty by reason of insanity” at the time of the trial. The bill also ensures that these groups shall be reported within 10 days to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). Probate judges shall check GCIC to ensure that what is on the application form is accurate, thereby ensuring the public’s trust in our license process. Additionally, HB 875 would give school boards the opportunity and choice to arm an employee under their well-thought-out guidelines and supervision. Finally, under a state of emergency declaration declared by the governor, this bill would prevent the confiscation of weapons or ammunition by the state, which is currently allowable.
House Bill 875 passed the House on Tuesday by a vote of 119-56 and will now go to the Senate for consideration.
For more information about HB 875, please click here.
Representative Edward Lindsey represents the citizens of District 54, which includes portions of Fulton County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2004, and currently serves on the Appropriations, Education, Ethics, Industry and Labor, Judiciary, and Rules committees.
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