By Nancy Badertscher
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATLANTA — A controversial bill to allow licensed gun owners in Georgia to carry concealed weapons most places other than the courthouse and the jailhouse is headed to a House subcommittee for closer scrutiny after a lengthy hearing Thursday.
Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee on noncivil matters, said a subcommittee will be able to “hash out” some of the concerns about the bill, mostly centering on an expansion of the rights of licensed gun owners to carry their weapons to churches, bars and college campuses.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica), told committee members the existing law is “extremely confusing” to gun owners and law enforcement.
“It’s time we finally clarify what is allowable and what is off-limits,” Bearden said.
An overflow crowd appeared at the hearing for the bill Thursday, including gun-rights supporters wearing orange badges that read: “Guns Save Lives.”
In 2008, legislators passed a bill Bearden proposed that allows guns at state parks, on mass transit and in restaurants where alcohol is served. Some areas of airports also would have been covered by that bill, but that was stopped with a court challenge.
His latest bill would eliminate most of Georgia’s public assembly restrictions, except those keeping guns out of courthouses, prisons and other facilities that house criminals.
Tom Daniel, senior vice chancellor with the University System of Georgia, asked legislators to “keep the law as it is.” Currently, guns are outlawed within 1,000 feet of college campuses.
An official representing Georgia’s cities said council meetings have the potential to be as volatile as any court hearing where guns would be banned.
Gun-rights supporter Aaron Coalson said that while Bearden’s legislation is “moving in the right direction,” state law still infringes on the Second Amendment rights of Georgians.
“It loosens the noose of tyranny,” the Canton resident said, “but it doesn’t take it from my neck.”
Copyright 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution