Georgia: 2014 Legislative Session Underway

Yesterday, the Georgia General Assembly convened its 2014 legislative session.  Your NRA is working hard this year to build on the strong foundation set in the 2013 session, culminating with the progression of Senate Bill 101 through the state legislature.  SB 101, as amended in its conference committee, would have been the most comprehensive pro-gun legislation to have passed in Atlanta in recent history.  SB 101 included the following changes that would greatly benefit gun owners across Georgia:

• 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.
• Removes fingerprinting for renewal of a Weapons Carry License (WCL).
• Prohibits the state from establishing and maintaining a database of WCL holders.
• Protects the confidentiality and privacy of WCL holders.
• Lowers the age from 21 to 18 for activity duty military, with specific training, to obtain a WCL to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense.
• Allows churches to opt-in and allow their parishioners to carry concealed.
• 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.
• Preempts banning firearms in public housing, as the necessity of self-defense is paramount regardless of where one calls home.
• Allows concealed carry on college campuses by those individuals with a valid WCL.

Although SB 101 did not pass, this 2014 legislative session will focus on advancing similar comprehensive pro-gun legislation to further the interests of gun owners and sportsmen in Georgia.  Know that your NRA is diligently working to fight any attack against your Second Amendment rights while advancing pro-gun reforms.  We will continue to keep you updated on pro-/anti-gun and pro-/anti-hunting legislation as well as other measures that impact you in the new year.  As always, please continue to check your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for further updates.