BNJacksonGA

Georgia’s 400,000 lawfully carrying citizens and Georgia’s law enforcement officials are another step closer to having clearer carrying laws. The Georgia Senate voted today in favor of the Georgia Common Sense Lawful Carry Act (SB 308), which will remove confusing provisions from the current law. Senate Majority Whip Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) sponsored the Act. The Lawful Carry Act passed 41-12.

“Lawfully carrying citizens and Georgia ’s law enforcement officials were victorious today in the Georgia Senate. The majority of lawfully carrying citizens want to obey the laws. They asked for a cleaner law that doesn’t put them in a ‘gotcha’ situation and the Senate delivered,” said Seabaugh. “I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for working with me during this process. I especially want to thank all the citizens and stakeholders that provided valuable input and truly made this their law.”

Seabaugh went before the Senate, walked senators through each section of the bill and talked to the process of working with all parties who had interest in the legislation, including gun safety advocates. Since introduction of the bill in January, Seabaugh met with representatives from the Board of Regents, Georgians for Gun Safety, Georgia Carry, churches, educators and law enforcement officials. Each of them had the opportunity to learn about the Lawful Carry bill and had suggestions of their own for improvements. The final outcome includes their input.

In the final bill, property owner rights were preserved by allowing their discretion as to having weapons on their property. Clearer penalties for infractions of carry laws were also added. Universities will have the authority to determine if lawfully carried weapons will be allowed on campuses and at athletic events.

Seabaugh also shared with Senate members a letter from the Technical Schools of Georgia in support of the bill. They were encouraged by the right to determine if weapons were permitted on school property and asked for an amendment to include Technical Schools in the bill. The amendment passed along with the final legislation.