Thoughts on Georgia's "Guns in Bars and Buses" Bill

Georgia's Governor Sonny Perdue signed a much-needed bill into law this week that expands the rights of concealed carry permit holders within the state. These law abiding citizens will now be able to exercise their 2nd amendment rights on public transportation, in state and local parks, and in restaurants that serve alcohol (provided the permit-holder is not imbibing).

These arbitrary boundaries that existed before the law did nothing to reduce crime - even if they provided anti-gunners with the illusion of safety. Union bus drivers in metropolitan Georgia areas said they will now ask for bulletproof safety shields. What a silly and empty attempt way for the union to attack the Governor. This argument overlooks a few important facts:

• Criminals with no respect for life or law have been carrying on your busses for decades
• Concealed-carry holders are more law abiding than non-holders
  

This is just another version of the "blood in the streets" and "wild west shootout" scare tactic that is thrown out whenever gun rights are expanded. As always happen, the naysayers will be proven wrong.

The Atlanta Constitution Journal reports that the Georgia Restaurant Association, which opposed the legislation, states that waiters and waitresses shouldn't be required to demand a patron's gun permit before serving a drink. I agree with them on this one, but it is no reason to oppose the law. It is not the server's responsibility to check for a permit, nor is it any of their business if someone is carrying. It is the responsibility of the armed citizen to follow the law. If they commit a crime with their gun, or while carrying their gun, their license and freedom are jeopardized.

(Closing note: I live in Washington State, where is has always been legal to carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol, on public transit, and in parks. We have few to nil incidents of legal permit holders creating trouble in restaurants or on the buses and trains, and these situations would not be any safer by denying access to an armed citizen.)