Mission: Promoting common sense policies that assure public safety and reduce gun violence in our communities.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
In Tragedy's Shadow, efforts for gun reform in Newtown
In Tragedy's Shadow, efforts for gun reform in Newtown
Friday, January 30, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
3 1/2 minutes - a Documentary about Jordan Davis premiering at Sundance
Jordan Davis was 17 years old when he was killed by a volley of shots fired by Michael Dunn. Dunn was convicted.
Jordan's mom, Lucy McBath, lives in Marietta, GA.
She is a spokesperson for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Everytown.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Tales at the intersection of race and open carry
Do you take a choke hold with your coffee?
An African-American man with a concealed carry permit walked into a Florida WalMart to buy coffee creamer. He was then tackled and put into a choke hold until police could arrive and ascertain that he had the legal right to carry. His white assailant faces assault charges.
Guns Everywhere = more accidents, and now a "new" kind of problem.
An African-American man with a concealed carry permit walked into a Florida WalMart to buy coffee creamer. He was then tackled and put into a choke hold until police could arrive and ascertain that he had the legal right to carry. His white assailant faces assault charges.
Guns Everywhere = more accidents, and now a "new" kind of problem.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Guns Everywhere: HB 60 explored
“Guns Everywhere”
(officially “Safe Carry Protection Act”)
effective date: July 1, 2014
Some specifics of what it does:
• Allows use of the “Stand Your Ground” defense by felons.
• Reduces maximum penalty from a felony to no penalty should licensed permit
holders carry guns into restricted areas at all airports. Law enforcement is prohibited from detaining carriers or even asking to see a permit.
• Allows guns in bars and nightclubs.
• Requires that guns be permitted in state and local government buildings that do not have security screening (includes libraries, sports facilities, etc.)
• Allows teachers, administrators, staff or anyone authorized by a local school board to carry concealed firearms anywhere on K-12 school grounds.
• Opt-in for Houses of Worship. If the congregation has not opted in, violators cannot be arrested or fined more than $100.00.
• Removes the pointing of a firearm at another from the criminal code. This charge should continue to be available to victims of domestic violence.
• Repeals entire state dealer licensing system.
• Forces public housing authorities to allow guns on their property and facilities.
OPPOSED BY
Association County Commissioners of Georgia American Academy of Pediatrics
American Civil Liberties Union American Federation of Teachers
Americans For Responsible Solutions Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence
Campaign To Keep Guns Off Campus Episcopal Diocese of Georgia
Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Georgia Academy of Family Physicians
Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Georgia Municipal Association Mayors Against Illegal Guns
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense In America Newtown Action Alliance
North Georgia Conference, United Methodist Church Outcry! Faith Voices Against Gun Violence
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta The Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Task Force for Global Health United Methodist Church
Georgia Association of Secondary Schools Law Enforcement Officers
There is no training requirement in Georgia to apply for or receive a concealed carry permit.
For more information please email: gunsensegeorgia@gmail.com
Washington State Capitol bans umbrellas... and now guns...
No More Guns in the Visitors Gallery... Washington State Capitol
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| Photo used under Creative Commons from flickr user stevevoght |
Owen said it didn't make sense to allow people to openly carry firearms while banning backpacks, signs and umbrellas.
"We're not going to treat them differently than everyone else," he said of open-carry advocates."
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Smart Guns Save LIves, So Where Are They?
Smart Guns Save Lives, So Where Are They?
The good and the perplexingly bad news about smart gun technology, by Nikolas Kristof in the New York Times, 1/17/15
GUNLAND
GUNLAND
ABOUT THE FILM
The city that Oprah and President Obama call home has become marred by murder. In response to its staggering homicide rate, locals have coined it “Chiraq” (a hybrid of Chicago and Iraq). In 2012, Chicago averaged 42 homicides per month with nearly 70% of deaths caused by guns.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Back in the day: citizen consternation, Police chief concerned.
The day the law went into effect, two “good guys” with guns walk into a convenience store...
At 3 p.m. on July 1 the day the law went into effect, in Valdosta, GA, an altercation ensued between two armed men in a convenience store. You can read about it here:
About the incident, Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress said, “This is an example of my concern with the new gun law that people will take the law into their own hands which we will not tolerate.”
Handguns in hospitals? Administrators are concerned.
Hospitals are concerned
http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/catwalkchatt/news/handguns-at-hutcheson-how-will-broader-gun-carry-law-affect/article_4e8af9ae-16be-11e4-95c7-001a4bcf6878.html
“Georgia’s new gun law could prove expensive for the taxpayers of Catoosa, Walker and Dade counties.”
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HB 60: City and County Governments are concerned.
HB 60 "Guns Everywhere" Law in action: city, county and other government buildings...
City and County Governments Are Concerned
Guns everywhere, including the courthouse? Local officials raise concerns with HB 60 set to take effect July 1
"While HB 60 restricts guns from being carried into true courthouses where only court proceedings take place, Douglas County has a multipurpose courthouse, with courtrooms behind the security checkpoint and government offices like the Tag Office and Voter Registration in front of it."
“This just the beginning of the kinds of issues that we’re going to see coming out of this bill.” --Rep. LaDawn Blackett Jones, D-Atlanta.
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“This just the beginning of the kinds of issues that we’re going to see coming out of this bill.” --Rep. LaDawn Blackett Jones, D-Atlanta.
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Confusion... Governor Deal is concerned...
Gov. Deal: “Confusion surrounds law allowing guns in schools, churches and bars”
July 7, 2014
photo found here: http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2013/07/18/
"Governor Deal says there are about 500,000 people in Georgia who have a carriers (sic) license."
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Thank a Georgia Legislator!
The entrance on this side of the City Service Center in Columbus, GA does not have security scanning devices.
HB 60 allows guns to be carried into buildings which do not have these rather expensive systems.
Now there is just one public entrance, which does have security systems. It is all the way around the other side of this lovely, large building.
Hope you don't mind a long walk.
Throughout the 2014 General Assembly session, Georgians worked tirelessly to educate legislators and the public about the long-term public safety threats that the many versions of the “Safe Carry Protection Act” represented.
A majority of Georgians opposed the language in these bills, members of the GunSense GA Coalition analyzed and tracked the many harmful variations of HB 87, SB 93 and HB 60 -- designed to open up new locations where weapons could be carried and to shield concealed weapons permit holders from the inconvenience of law enforcement scrutiny.
This parade of gun bills, and their revisions, took place in an atmosphere of secrecy and political maneuvering.
The safety and well-being of all of the residents of Georgia, was deliberately compromised by a few politicians who knew better, but were acting for their own political gain – trading our safety for their political ambitions.
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Armed and dangerous: First grader
Armed and dangerous: a first grader
Boy brings gun to school... (video)
By the way, because he "only" kept it tucked in the waistband of his pants and didn't "brandish" it, there are ZERO consequences for the parents. ZERO. This time.
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