Help Move Georgia Forward
News from the Party
Georgia Lawmakers Do Kemp and Perdue’s Bidding, Push Dangerous Permit-less Carry Bill Through Committee
February 1, 2022
Today, Brian Kemp and David Perdue’s allies in the legislature pushed a priority initiative for them through the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote. SB 319, which nearly 70% of Georgians oppose, is an extreme bill that would eliminate part of the background check process which anyone wanting to carry a concealed firearm currently must undergo. This change would potentially allow individuals with a criminal history who purchased a gun through a private sale to now legally carry a weapon in our communities.
The push comes on the first day of National Gun Violence Survivors Week and after Kemp and Perdue attacked each other over who would weaken gun safety laws the most as governor, despite new polling showing nearly 70% of Georgians oppose permit-less concealed gun carry.
States that have passed permit-less carry saw a spike in aggravated assaults with a gun anywhere between 8% and 65%.
“Kemp and Perdue are prioritizing extreme legislation that will put more guns on our streets, in the hands of anyone who wants them — even those previously denied concealed weapon permits due to criminal history. While they talk a big game on tackling violent crime, they’re supporting a dangerous proposal, opposed by a vast majority of Georgians, which has contributed to a rise in gun violence in other states. It’s despicable that Kemp, Perdue, and Georgia Republicans would risk lives to score political points in an election year,” stated Max Flugrath, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Georgia.
AJC column: “A new poll taken for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says about 70% of Georgians oppose allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit. But the heck with public opinion at large, there’s a primary election coming and craven pols must please the base.”
###
