hr1305_LC_38_0590_a_2.html
08 LC 38 0590
House Resolution 1305
By: Representatives Bearden of the 68th, Jerguson of the 22nd, Franklin of the 43rd, Everson of the 106th, England of the 108th, and others

A RESOLUTION


Creating the House Study Committee on Comprehensive Firearms Law; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, current Georgia laws applicable to the carrying of firearms are extensive, complex, ambiguous, scattered in various provisions of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, and frequently produce unintended results and confusion among Georgians who carry firearms, law enforcement officers, and the courts; and

WHEREAS, firearms laws affect not only Georgia´s 300,000 firearms license holders but many other law-abiding residents of this state who exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms under both the state and United States Constitutions, and the degree of infringement of this constitutional right is important to many Georgia citizens; and

WHEREAS, there has not been in the past decade or longer a formal or comprehensive study of firearms laws in Georgia for the purpose of making consistent and equitable recommendations for changes to these statutory provisions; and

WHEREAS, applicable penalties for violations of these laws may constitute felonies with punishments of up to 20 years in prison and a $15,000.00 fine; and

WHEREAS, many questions and concerns have been raised by Georgia citizens related to the application of firearms laws, mandating a close reexamination of Georgia´s firearms laws; and

WHEREAS, many prominent associations in Georgia have developed quality recommendations for improvements in Georgia´s firearms laws; and

WHEREAS, in light of the above, it is now time to closely scrutinize and improve Georgia´s firearms laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created the House Study Committee on Comprehensive Firearms Law to be composed of five members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of Georgia´s firearms laws generally and the application of these laws to Georgia´s peaceable and law-abiding citizens to ensure that constitutional rights, the right of self-defense, and public safety are properly protected and that persons involved in the firearms licensing process are treated fairly and equitably. The committee shall make recommendations for changes in legislation and shall provide copies of proposed legislation to be prepared by the Office of Legislative Counsel and shall recommend any other action or make such report which the study committee deems appropriate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, and issues mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the House of Representatives. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before January 31, 2009, at which time the committee shall stand abolished.