Rep. Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica) got his foot — or pistol — in the door last year when the legislature approved his bill allowing folks to pack heat in bars and other public gatherings. He wanted us to be able to go armed to the Atlanta Airport, but the Supreme Court tossed out that provision.
This year, to “clarify,” things, Bearden is back. The updated version of the bill would eliminate most of the restrictions on carrying firearms at places where the public gathers — except courthouses and jails (presumably, those restrictions will be eliminated next year).
A lot of people labor under the misconception that the state’s budget difficulties are the top priority, but Bearden has it right. Until every citizen is armed at all times, the terrorists win. He understands that the best offense, as Nick Saban might say, is a good defense, and a pistol is the front line of defense against someone attempting to take your cash at the local car wash or disrespecting you at Wingslingers. That’s why Colt called its .45 caliber pistol the Peacemaker.
Lord, we need that kind of peace. There are a lot of criminals out there and even more angry people. Allowing all those angry folks to carry pistols into bars, football games, onto college campuses and into city council meetings is bound to calm things down.
When debate gets hot over a 45-percent increase in natural gas rates in a few years and John Q. Public gets all red in the face with rage as he shakes his finger at city manager Clarence Bryant, just the knowledge that he has a Glock close by will restore calm. Nothing assures good government like interested, armed constituents.
Unfortunately, since the Jackson County Board of Commissioners meets in the courthouse, for at least another year Hunter Bicknell will not be able to count on the calming influence of guns and ammo.
That’s a shame, because a good citizen is an armed citizen. If all law-abiding citizens were ready to use their guns, we wouldn’t need the police or the courts and we could decommission half our jails. Think of the tax savings.
Bearden should go further. Workers need the right to carry firearms on the job. Shoot, I’d feel more comfortable accommodating angry readers if I had a shotgun behind my desk.
Finally, a politician who knows we’d all be safer if we had guns close at hand. When you finally get to shoot someone, remember, you owe it all to Rep. Tim Bearden. Bless him.
Mark Beardsley is the editor of The Commerce News. He lives in Commerce.
Furthermore, this bill passes GA would be added to the long list of states that ALREADY ALLOW this type of carry. There are something like 30 other states that allow this. Georgia isnt' trying to rewrite the books here, just re-write GA's ambiguous public gathering law.
Man, some people really should re-read the constitution and bill of rights! And the proposed bill by Bearden.
It be nice if ALL the facts were given in these types of reports. This bill only applies to GFL Holders!
But I suppose you only stand for honesty and fairness when its a republican issue.
climb down off your high horse please.
Hypocrite.
The historic national decline in crime rates can be attributed to "one specific action." Namely, it can be traced to more and more states allowing concealed carry permits. In more than half of our 50 states honest, law abiding citizens are now allowed to carry concealed. Twenty years ago this was not the case.