ATLANTA (April 28, 2010) – State Senator David Shafer (R-Duluth) recently led his colleagues in the General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 291. The legislation will make several changes to various provisions related to concealed weapons permits. Shafer sponsored the bill through the Senate while Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) carried it through the House.
“This bill re-writes Georgia’s gun laws to protect the Second Amendment rights of our law abiding citizens,” Shafer said. “It is a reasonable bill that recognizes our constitutional right to safeguard ourselves and our families.”
The bill will allow firearm permit holders to pick up and drop off passengers at the airport by permitting guns in non-secure areas. It will also make it easier to renew firearms as well as protect permit carriers from unlawful seizure of a firearm during a state of emergency.
After receiving support from both chambers of the state legislature, the National Riffle Association spoke out in support of Senate Bill 291.
“This is a major victory for self-defense in Georgia, and I’d like to applaud bill sponsors Sen. David Shafer and Rep. Katie Dempsey for their steadfast efforts in the passage of this bill,” said Randy Kozuch, director of NRA Institute for Legislative Action’s State and Local Affairs. “As headlines remind us, violent crime can happen anywhere. Law-abiding Georgia residents now have the option to defend themselves and their loved ones should they be attacked in one more place.”
Shafer added that the bill overturns a policy by Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport that “literally requires a firearms permit holder to toss his gun out his window on to the interstate before exiting to the airport, even if he is only picking up or dropping off a passenger.”
Sen. David Shafer serves as Chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. He represents the 48th Senate District which includes portions of Fulton and Gwinnett counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0048 or by e-mail at david.shafer@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
April 28, 2010
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Deputy Director
natalie.strong@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028