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As of July 1, 2014 there will be some changes to the laws in Georgia concerning guns. Depending on who you speak with, this change in law is a move in a positive direction that can benefit all citizens and patrons in the state of Georgia. For the past few months there has been some serious debate in regards to the upcoming gun law in Georgia. Not to long ago there was some tragis incidents related with guns, and there have been some outcries that are more publicized than others. Not to talk down upon anyone else's views, but gossip sells. Let's break it down and let's all get educated.
We as individuals and citizens of this great nation are born with inevitable rights that are defined within the 'Bill of Rights' which is the collective name of the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution. There have been many arguments as how to interpret the writing of the second amendment. "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, that right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed". When this read by me it is a bit of history with no reflection on the direction of how society of 1700' would know or understand the structure of society of today. Either way you view it, we as citizens have the right that shall not be infringed upon to own arms. Like everything else in life, there are pros and cons when dealing with matters where the mass have a saying in the matter or issue. As of June 1, 2014 Governor Nathan Deal's new gun laws will take effect that allows guns in schools, churches, and establishments that serve alcohol.
Being around guns since childhood, my father and uncle taught me to respect the firearm. This lesson carried on to the military and today as an instructor and concealed carry permit holder. There are some who will abuse the privilege given to them, but then again there are not to many concealed carrying citizens that break the law when a weapon is concerned. There has been a lot of debate here in the state of Georgia about this change. Those who are not familiar with guns take the stand of they are not needed and are a tremendous harm to society. Then you have the law abiding citizens who support guns and are all in favor of change. Being a responsible citizen who carries a gun one should take notice of the concern from both sides. When you listen to the debate and listen to what is being stated will leave you in awe. If you are against guns and the rights of those who wish to exercise their gun rights through the law, that is your right. Majority of the people who are against guns and the laws are those who are basing their judgement off an opinion based on the concise safety level of society. There has never been a gun carrying citizen ever bash the rights of those who wish not to carry. Majority of the time people out in public do not even notice or realize those who do carry concealed. How can or will this play a big part within the new Georgia law?
Now lets discuss, allowing guns in schools, churches, and establishments that serve alcohol. House bill 60 or the Safe Carry Protection Act 2014 specifies where in Georgia said weapons are allowed. This new law addresses that "Concealed Carry Permit Holders" are allowed to carry their firearms. Governor Deal states "The law allows residents to protect their families and expands the list of places where they can legally carry firearms, while allowing certain property owners, namely churches and bars, to make judgments on whether they want worshipers and patrons carrying guns." It is up to the pastor and bar owner to allow patrons to bring guns into their establishments. In the event the pastor or bar owner does not want guns within their establishments, they just have to put up a no guns allowed sign that is defined by the state law and they are covered, in a sense. The law is more defined when it comes to schools. For guns on the school grounds House Bill 60 calls for "any duly authorized official of a public or private elementary or secondary school or a public or private technical school, vocational school, college, university, or other institution of post-secondary education or a local board of education." Now the same new bill will allow a service member who is 18 years of age to apply for a conceal carry permit as long as they completed basic training, and are either actively serving or have been honorably discharged. Other changes allow hunters to use silencers when the owner of the property is aware they are using the device, and police officers who see a citizen carrying a gun to ask for their permit unless they re committing a crime.
Crime is a result of our society which plays a part of how society for our country is maintained. When criminals conduct business within the lines of the law to commit a crime, who is really at fault? For instance, if there is a citizen who is legally able to purchase a handgun after the purchase goes out and fires upon another citizen, how are the members of Congress, Senate, or the NRA to place laws to contour that? In relation to this, when I purchased my vehicle, if I decide to not wash it or keep up the maintenance of the vehicle, on one persons eyes it will be viewed that I do not respect what I invested in. Another person might view it as though I purchased it so I can do to it whatever I wish. Our society is too quick to point the finger at other people instead of looking at self as the start of the blame. One factor that can help mitigate any backlash of any gun law is to get properly trained on the firearm of choice. There are many different avenues of choice that armed and future armed citizen can make to do their part. AS of 2009 there were 11 states that honored the open carry law and the citizen did not have to apply for a permit or license, 13 states that have open carry laws with restrictions, and seven states that prohibit open carry. With those odds should we be worried or not, but the catch is, now in all 50 states it is legal to concealed carry withing that states law. When you look at those numbers compared to the sales of firearms over the last 12 years, the citizen is getting armed for a crisis that can take place. The news sources do not always publicize events where the citizen does a deed that saved a life when a gun is involved. Are they looking at statistics in a city where the sales of guns go up and does the crime rate come down? Even if the numbers can not be determined, it still comes to the conclusion that every citizen has the right to defend themselves and their property. If the citizen is asking for more strict gun laws, then request that when applying for a concealed permit that you have to get training from a reputable organization such as the NRA. What about the single mom with two kids who has the one handgun given to her by her father but didn't train her how to properly use it. In the end an untrained citizen who is trying to do the right thing is just as deadly as a criminal with the intent to fire upon you to get away with your goods. When will the negotiating of our rights stop since it is written as a law.
My recent drive is to provide a service to the public to ensure they are properly trained on the use of a firearm. Being a certified NRA Instructor allows me to properly train citizens who are seeking to become educated with the use of firearms. This training ensures the knowledge of how to make an environment safe whether in training or a real time situation where people are around you. The many faucets of the NRA Training will give the student a better insight into the mechanics of the firearm along with the confidence to perform when it is called upon to utilize the firearm.
In conclusion, the law written by the founders of the U.S. Constitution allow all citizens to make a decision. One of those rights is the right to bear arms. If we want to preserve this right for future generations then we will need to be trained on firearm use. In the end this is a skill that if you don't use it then you will loose it.
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