A huge victory for the NRA in Georgia.
With a flourish of a pen and to thunderous applause, Georgia governor Nathan Deal signed a new bill that now makes it legal to carry weapons into some schools, bars, restaurants and yes, churches.
Governor Deal says the law protects the constitutional rights of the 5 percent of Georgia residents who hold licenses to carry weapons.
The House Bill 60 or the safe carry protection act of 2014 goes into effect July 1st. It specifies where Georgia residents can carry weapons. Included in the bill are provisions allowing residents who have concealed carry permits to take guns into some bars, churches, school zones, government buildings and certain parts of airports. Atlanta’s Hartfield Jackson airport is the busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic.
The National Rifle Association calls the bill the “most comprehensive pro-gun bill in state history.”
House Bill 60 also expands the state’s “Stand your ground” laws, a version of that law became part of the national narrative after the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
It also forbids police officers who see a resident carrying a gun to ask to see their permit unless they’re committing a crime.