Georgia: Senate Passes Pro-Gun Bills – Governor Needs to Hear From You!

Today, the Georgia Senate passed pro-gun bills; House Bill 406, House Bill 292, and House Bill 280. 

It is critical you contact Governor Nathan Deal (R) and urge him to sign HB 406

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.  House Bill 406 was passed by a 50-3 vote.

In addition, House Bill 292 was passed by a 37-16 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
• Defines a knife in state code as a cutting instrument larger than 12 inches
• Prohibits discrimination by financial institutions against the firearm industry simply because they are engaged in the lawful commerce of firearms

HB 292 will now head back to the House for a concurrence vote on the Senate committee amendments.

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 they are 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.  House Bill 280 was passed by a 32-22 vote, and will now head back to the House for a concurrence vote on the Senate committee amendments.

Again, it is critical you contact Governor Nathan Deal (R) and urge him to sign HB 406.