STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM BEARDEN PRE-FILES SWEEPING GUN REFORM LEGISLATION

“Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008” Allows Citizens To Protect Themselves in Public Places and During Emergency Situations

Capitol Rally Planned for January 10, 2008

ATLANTA—Georgia State Representative Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica) today announced that he has pre-filed legislation that will bring about the most sweeping reforms of gun laws in Georgia’s history.  A rally in support of the bill will be held on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol on Thursday, January 10, 2008, at 10:00 am.

“The second amendment rights of our citizens must be protected and ensured by this legislature,” Bearden said.  “We must allow our law abiding citizens to protect themselves not only when they are at home but also when they are conducting their daily business.  This bill proposes the most sweeping reforms of our gun laws in Georgia’s history, and it is necessary to continue our tradition of protecting our constitutional rights.”

House Bill 915, also known as the Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008, would reform Georgia’s gun laws ensuring greater protection of citizens’ second amendment rights.  Among the reforms, this legislation would: create a new felony offense for an attempt to solicit or persuade a firearms dealer to transfer a firearm to anyone other than the buyer; remove the restrictions requiring loaded firearms being transported in private passenger vehicles be fully exposed to view or concealed in a compartment of the vehicle; authorize licensed gun owners to carry a firearm, concealed or unconcealed, in all areas of the state and further prohibits local governments and state authorities from adopting or enforcing any ordinance that conflicts with this provision; direct law enforcement agencies to conduct a background check on applicants for a license within two business days of the application being received, be completed within 30 days, and a license issued within 45 days if the applicant has met all of the requirements; prohibit the seizure of a licensed firearm during a declared official state of emergency unless in a criminal investigation; prohibit additional firearm registration requirements during a declared official state of emergency; and remove from the Governor’s emergency powers, the power to suspend or limit the sale of firearms.  New language added to the code section would specifically not allow a licensed gun owner to carry a firearm into a courthouse where such weapons are not allowed.

Early supporters of the bill include georgiacarry.org, sponsors of the Capitol rally, Georgia Sports Shooters Association, Students for Concealed Carry, and Gun Owners of America.

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