Georgia: Little Time Left to Pass NRA-Backed Pro-Gun Legislation

The final day of the 2013 Georgia legislative session is scheduled for Thursday, March 28.  With this deadline quickly approaching, there is very little time left for NRA-backed Senate Bill 101 to pass in the state House and be sent to Governor Nathan Deal (R) for his signature.

SB 101 would make the following pro-gun improvements in Georgia:

1. Enhances the current reciprocity for out-of-state concealed carry permit holders traveling through Georgia and sets legal precedent for other states to follow suit.
2. Prohibits the state from creating and maintaining a database of Weapons Carry License holders.
3. Protects the confidentiality of Weapons Carry License holders.  Recently, there have been several instances of anti-gun media outlets publishing the names and addresses of Weapons Carry License holders which jeopardizes the safety and violates the privacy of law-abiding citizens.  SB 101 would ensure this would never happen in Georgia.
4. Lowers the age from 21 to 18 for activity duty military, with specific training, to obtain a Weapons Carry License to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense.
5. Repeals the unnecessary and duplicative state-required license for a firearms dealer, ensuring that gun dealers are only required to have a Federal Firearms License (FFL).
6. Preempts a ban on firearms in public housing, as the necessity of self-defense is paramount regardless of where one calls home.

SB 101 was recently passed in the Senate by an overwhelming bipartisan 41-10 vote and was sent to the state House where it was heard last Wednesday in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.  A final committee vote is expected this week.

We need you to contact House Speaker David Ralston, House Rules Committee Chairman John Meadows and members of the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to pass SB 101.

Speaker of the House

Representative David Ralston (R-7)

House Rules Committee, Chairman

Representative John Meadows (R-5)

House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee:                                                                    

Representative Alan Powell (R-32), Chairman

Representative Darlene Taylor (R-173), Vice Chairman

Representative Alex Attwood (R-179)

Representative Kevin Cooke (R-18)

Representative Gloria Frazier (D-126)

Representative Mike Glanton (D-75)

Representative Gerald Greene (R-151)

Representative Dustin Hightower (R-68)

Representative Bill Hitchens (R-161)

Representative Scott Holcomb (D-81)

Representative Mack Jackson (D-128)

Representative Eddie Lumsden (R-12)

Representative Jay Neal (R-2)

Representative Willie Talton (R-147)

Representative Keisha Waites (D-60)