The Voice

Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Cori Burns

New laws were passed this summer in Georgia making it legal for guns to be carried almost everywhere for those who have a gun permit, much to the dismay of law enforcement.

Major Carter Greene with the Clarke County Police Department is worried that the new laws will put his officers and the public in danger. "There are probably a lot more people carrying guns around legally," said Greene, "There are a lot of law abiding citizens out there that we'll never have any problems with, but the laws put more guns on the street and in public places where there would not have been guns before. It just increases the chances of something wrong to happen."

Carrying a weapon anywhere outside your glove box or center console would have landed you in jail on a concealed weapons charge prior to July 1. Now if you're pulled over by police and they find a gun concealed under your seat, they ask to see your permit and send you on your way.

Groups that were lobbying for these new bills include the National Rifle Association and other pro gun rights organizations like the websites www.georgiapacking.org and www.georgiacarry.org.

Jeremy Lomax, starting defensive end for the UGA football team, was also hoping for the bills to go into law. Lomax was arrested this past summer, before the bills were passed, for speeding and having a Glock 40 under his seat. When the bills became laws in July, Lomax was exonerated from his charges.

Jason McCorkle, who is a gun owner, is happy to see the liberating new laws come into action. "It's my belief that I have the right to be armed at all times. I think that's an important exercise for any American," McCorkle said.

Countering McCorkle's view is Greene who went on to say, "It opens up the door in our state for a whole lot of people to carry guns into places that I just don't see the need for the general public to carry guns into restaurants and parks. Why?"

Controversy consumes the laws, with police unsure of how to enforce them, hardcore gun owners lobbying for them, and UGA football players just happy to have them. Only time will tell whether these new laws are right for the state of Georgia or not.

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