Tibu said:
Oh my God... This is actually real?
Sir, I assure you that this is both real and being pushed hard. The “Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008″, Georgia HB 915, sponsored by Rep. Timothy Bearden (R-68).
While Georgians may carry a pistol openly or concealed in a belt holster at their home or place of business without a license, the moment one steps into a car, the rules change, because a pistol in a belt holster is no longer open to the view of somebody on one side of the car, and is not, therefore “visible to all observers.” If passed, the Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008, HB 915, would make the law regarding carry in a car uniform with carrying in one’s home or place of business so that one is not automatically a criminal while driving between his home and place of business.
Many people do not realize that Georgia currently has more places off limits to carrying a firearm than any other state in the nation that permits the carry of a firearm. California has less places off limits than Georgia, which means that a Californian can carry in more places in anti-gun California, than a Georgian can in supposedly gun-friendly Georgia. The Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008 would bring Georgia’s carry laws into alignment with the will of the majority of Georgians.
While current Georgia law states that a firearms license should be issued in 60 days, it is taking 4 to 6 months in many counties, and many people have waited for over a year. At least one person waited 2.5 years in Fulton County. These delays are unconscionable, especially considering that the General Assembly added instantaneous background checks to the system in 2006. Known as the NICS check, this is an electronic check of federal and state criminal, mental health, and other records, and it generally takes about 90 seconds to run. The Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008 would finally make the local Probate Courts follow the law and provide timely issuance of licenses and renewals.
Members of GeorgiaCarry.org, along with other gun organizations, are busy emailing, telephoning, writing, and visiting our representatives. We're emailing and writing to local newspapers. We're on TV. We're trying to establish co-sponsors and get other legislators to climb aboard this legislation.
Georgia has much to be proud about concerning gun ownership. We were one of the first "shall issue states". We have Castle Doctrine laws.
But we have much to be ashamed about. The Georgia Constitution is not "bound" by the US Constitution, including the Second Amendment. The local Probate Courts are notorious about dragging their feet in issuing licenses. There are more places "off limits" to carrying than in California.
To many of us this is just as big Stand Your Ground and Shall Issue. We are taking this very seriously and we are working hard. I hope, one day soon, I will be able to announce that this bill has passed and been signed into law.
