Georgia: House Committee Passes Multiple Pro-Gun Bills to the Floor

Today, the Georgia House Public Safety and Homeland Security passed three important pieces of legislation that will soon be considered by the full Georgia House of Representatives.

House Bill 280, sponsored by state Representative Mandi Ballinger (R-23), seeks to amend restrictions in state law that prohibit law-abiding Georgia Weapons License (GWL) holders from being able to protect themselves on college and university campuses.  HB 280 would allow law-abiding GWL holders to carry when he or she is in or on certain buildings or real property owned by or leased to any public technical school, vocational school, college, university, or other institution of postsecondary education.  HB 280 passed committee on a voice vote.

House Bill 406, sponsored by state Representative Alan Powell (R-32), seeks to amend certain issues with current reciprocity laws in Georgia.  This would allow Virginia concealed handgun permit holders to enjoy permit reciprocity with Georgia.  HB 406 passed committee on a unanimous voice vote.

House Bill 292, sponsored by state Representative Rick Jasperse (R-11), would make several positive and important changes to Georgia gun laws, including:

• Providing licensees of states with reciprocal agreements with Georgia a 90 day grace period to obtain a GWL while continuing to carry legally using their previous states’ license
• Prohibiting a probate judge from suspending, extending, delaying, or avoiding the process of approving a GWL application
• Protecting any firearms instructor who lawfully instructs, educates, or trains a person in the safe, proper, or technical use of a firearm from civil liability for any injuries caused by the failure of such person to use such firearm properly or lawfully
• Making a code change regarding permit reciprocity.

HB 292 passed committee on a unanimous voice vote.

Again, HB 280, HB 406, and HB 292 now head to the House Floor where they will await full consideration.  It is important that you contact your State Representative and urge them to SUPPORT HB 292, HB 406, and HB 280.