The Georgia Senate was scheduled to consider pro-gun bills, House Bill 292 , House Bill 280, and House Bill 406 last Friday. But InsiderAdvantage has learned that consideration will take place tomorrow— the second to the last legislative day of the 2017 General Assembly. The National Rifle Association, Georgia carry and other Second Amendment proponents are going with a full-court press to secure passage.
Here is a synopsis, courtesy of the NRA, of the three bills:
House Bill 292, sponsored by state Rep. 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
House Bill 280, sponsored by state Rep. 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 406, sponsored by state Rep. 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.
