Georgia Gov about to sign most liberal carry laws in the country

Ryanxia said:

That's great.

I thought that the airport terminal was a federal thing though? If the TSA catches someone (even before the actual screening process) wouldn't the state be powerless to do anything?

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Airport terminals outside the secured area are not Federal facilities. In Washington, for example, it is perfectly legal to carry concealed or openly outside the security screening point. I've open carried in SEA-TAC airport terminal buildings when picking up or dropping off passengers, perfectly legal and no comments from the police and security officers who have seen me there.

NavyLCDR said:

Airport terminals outside the secured area are not Federal facilities. In Washington, for example, it is perfectly legal to carry concealed or openly outside the security screening point. I've open carried in SEA-TAC airport terminal buildings when picking up or dropping off passengers, perfectly legal and no comments from the police and security officers who have seen me there.

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Interesting, learn something new every day.
I used to fly a few times a year but I avoid it like the plague now, to be completely stripped of your Rights and defenseless isn't something I enjoy doing (and luckily don't need to any longer).

I wouldn't say Georgia is suddenly becoming the most liberal CCW state. Obviously all the constitutional carry states come out ahead, but even the changes the OP references were established law in a lot of other states already.

Ryanxia View Post said:

I thought that the airport terminal was a federal thing though? If the TSA catches someone (even before the actual screening process) wouldn't the state be powerless to do anything?

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Understandable perspective though. In many airports I have been through, the secure area is very close to the front doors of the airport. So there is a small area where concealed carry in the non secure section is legal by state law. I have carried in Alabama airports picking up friends who have flown south to visit, actually got into a discussion about holsters with the police officer on duty when the plane was delayed.

In a time period where mass media is trying to push gun control in CT and NY, I like hearing about states like GA loosening their laws. Even if the places they are now allowed to carry already exist in other states.

Just something to ponder. The bill almost died because the house and senate could not agree on (I believe) campus carry. At the last minute, they came to terms and agreed on something. IMHO, I'm sure an all or nothing stance has it's place, but don't get too bullish when you're winning something either way.

I know that Georgia has been playing catch up in the firearms rights arena but things have gotten much better since GeorgiaCarry.Org came into the picture. This bill was fought for long & hard by them. Those of us in Georgia owe that organization thanks.

Liberals and criminals will be very disappointed.

Paul7 said:

Liberals and criminals will be very disappointed.

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Both groups can go to New York, where it is "SAFE" there.

Federal jurisdiction starts at the security checkpoint. If TSA catches you in the public area of the airport there is nothing they can do. The public area is under jurisdiction of state law. There are only 6 states IIRC where carry in the public area of the airport is a violation. Now there is 5.

Vermont restricts silencers...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Vermont

" All NFA weapons are allowed with the exception that silencers may not be sold or possessed by civilians"

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The penalty is a misdemeanor $25 fine...

At least we will have another real-world counter to the ridiculous "wild west shootout" and "blood running in the streets" arguments.

Mike J said:

I know that Georgia has been playing catch up in the firearms rights arena but things have gotten much better since GeorgiaCarry.Org came into the picture. This bill was fought for long & hard by them. Those of us in Georgia owe that organization thanks.

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Very true.

I turned on the news at lunch today waiting for the announcement that Georgia rednecks had killed 687 of each other this morning after the new law took effect. Hmmmmm.....nothing of the kind. Could the antis possibly be wrong?

MikeJackmin said:

It's hardly the most liberal law in the country. It is, arguably, the biggest change from the previous level.

Vermont has no state gun laws at all, residents there are limited only by federal law. You can carry where ever you want without anyone's permission.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Vermont

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The meaning of "liberal" means to change, so it is the most liberal law if it is furthest from the status quo. The Founding Fathers were liberals. We have corrupted that word to mean, in most cases, Democrats because they want to move away from what we consider to be the correct ideology. Hence, we want to "conserve" what we have, and they want to "liberate" us from it.

The meaning of "liberal" means to change, so it is the most liberal law if it is furthest from the status quo. The Founding Fathers were liberals. We have corrupted that word to mean, in most cases, Democrats because they want to move away from what we consider to be the correct ideology. Hence, we want to "conserve" what we have, and they want to "liberate" us from it.

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Politically speaking, Why is a reduction in the restriction considered 'liberal' and restricting considered 'conservative' except with firearms rights?

I could use some clarification.

My friend insists the new law allows everyone to carry at any school, even K-12. I told him that was unlikely...

You friend is partially misinformed. It is and has been legal to carry at schools under certain conditions, notably -

Current law:

O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1
Carrying weapons within school safety zones, at school functions, or on school property.
.....
(b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person to carry to or to possess or have under such person's control while within a school safety zone or at a school building, school function, or school property or on a bus or other transportation furnished by the school any weapon or explosive compound, other than fireworks the possession of which is regulated by Chapter 10 of Title 25.
.....
(c) The provisions of this Code section shall not apply to:
(5) The following persons, when acting in the performance of their official duties or when en route to or from their official duties >>>Warning... serious snippage occurs here<<< peace officer, federal law enforcement officer, prosecuting attorney, Dept of Corrections employee, campus police and medical examiners/coroners, etc.
(6) A person who has been authorized in writing by a duly authorized official of the school to have in such person's possession or use as part of any activity being conducted at a school building, school property, or school function a weapon which would otherwise be prohibited by this Code section. Such authorization shall specify the weapon or weapons which have been authorized and the time period during which the authorization is valid
(7) A person who is licensed in accordance with Code Section 16-11-129 or issued a permit pursuant to Code Section 43-38-10, when such person carries or picks up a student at a school building, school function, or school property or on a bus or other transportation furnished by the school or a person who is licensed in accordance with Code Section 16-11-129 or issued a permit pursuant to Code Section 43-38-10 when he or she has any weapon legally kept within a vehicle when such vehicle is parked at such school property or is in transit through a designated school zone;

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House Bill 60 (the changes are about line #222 and mostly put more specificity into what is and is not a school or school grounds.)


At about line #711, it authorizes schools to allow certain personnel to bear weapons as long as they are trained (as specified in the bill) to do so.

So Georgia is finally catching up with the blue state of Oregon.

The only fly in the Oregon ointment is that we do not have totally constitutional carry--"shall issue" State CHL permits are required to override city ordinances. :banghead: