Georgians with concealed weapons permits could carry guns on MARTA trains and into restaurants as long as they don't drink, under a bill that passed the Senate after two rounds of contentious debate Wednesday.

Senators tacked the provisions onto House Bill 257, a bill that would have allowed Magistrate Court constables to carry guns, significantly expanding its scope.

The last-minute changes come after months of intense pressure from the National Rifle Association and Georgia gun groups to loosen the state's weapons laws.

The Republican-controlled Senate has struggled with gun legislation throughout the past two sessions, caught between the NRA and business interests over whether employees should have the right to keep weapons in the cars they park on company lots.

In 2007, after bitter behind-the-scenes confrontations, the Senate killed the legislation. In February, the Senate agreed on a watered-down version of the NRA-backed proposal, and placed it in House Bill 89, a bill originally intended to relax the rules on where handguns can be kept in vehicles. But the Senate then declined to negotiate with the House over changes to the bill, stalling the measure. HB 89, sponsored by Rep. Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica), a former police officer, would have allowed guns in churches, sporting events and political rallies.

Senators saw an opening Wednesday to revive the debate.

Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) said concealed-weapon permit-holders are responsible citizens who deserve to carry guns. "Because we do live in a dangerous time, it is our responsibility to allow honest people to protect themselves and their families," he said.

Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) urged fellow senators to think about whether they wanted armed citizens on the city's public transportation system.

"Is it wise to send the message that it's open season for gun toters on MARTA?" she asked.

Orrock also questioned the practicality of enforcing the no-drinking rule for gun carriers at restaurants.

She asked whether lawmakers should broaden the scope of the law to "allow people armed to the teeth with alcohol within arms' length."

The bill was nearly killed earlier in the day when a Democrat tried to add an amendment that would have lengthened the bill so much that it would have to be put back on the calendar. The amendment from Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) would have required public universities to come up with emergency safety plans in the wake of the deadly massacre at Virginia Tech. Fort said he knew the amendment would trigger the rule that could force his fellow lawmakers to scuttle the bill.

Senators hurriedly voted to table the bill and the amendments in the afternoon, then took it up, votiing down Fort's amendment late in the evening.

Staff writer Jim Galloway contributed to this article.

South Carolina

People as young as 18 can now buy and own handguns in South Carolina.

Gov. Mark Sanford signed a bill into law Wednesday to lower the minimum age from 21; it goes into effect immediately.

"People who are old enough to fight and die in the military should be able to purchase handguns, and the bill will put our laws more in line with those of other states," Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said.

South Carolina is one of 18 states —- and the only one in the South —- that had set 21 as the age for handgun ownership, according to the National Rifle Association. The group said Wyoming has no handgun age requirement. In Montana, it's set at 14; in Vermont, 16.

Rep. Mike Pitts, a Republican and retired police officer, had filed the bill to help out a national gun wholesaler located in Lexington County where employees younger than 21 were filling orders over the phone. A legal opinion by state Attorney General Henry McMaster had said that was not allowed because of their age.

Tennessee

House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh intervened Wednesday to stop legislation that would prohibit the public from seeing any state-issued handgun permit.

A House subcommittee had voted earlier in the day to advance the measure sponsored by Rep. Eddie Bass, a Democrat, while two major opponents of the bill were out of the room.

Naifeh, also a Democrat, then assigned the Legislature's newest Democratic member, Rep. Karen Camper, to the panel. Together they helped override the earlier decision, and killed the bill on a 5-4 vote.

Camper was sworn into the House on Wednesday afternoon to replace the late Rep. Gary Rowe.

The companion measure is scheduled for a Senate floor vote today.

As speaker, Naifeh is entitled to vote on any House panel.

The House sponsor of a proposal to allow people to carry handguns into bars and restaurants has withdrawn the bill from consideration for the year.

Rep. Joe McCord, a Republican, on Wednesday sent the bill for further study after the legislative session ends.

The measure would allow gun owners to carry a weapon into establishments that serve alcohol as long as they don't drink.

The companion bill had passed the Senate in January and recently was lampooned by "The Colbert Report" on the Comedy Central TV network.

—- From news services