Today, we present a sampling of comments and letters regarding House Bill 60, an expansion of gun rights that Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law last week. (Editor’s note: Almost all of the letters received by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution have been critical of the measure.)
Norman Ravitch, Savannah: People talk about guns and gun control without ever telling the truth about their real concerns. People, in Georgia and around the land, seem to want guns desperately. Why? Not because they are students of the Constitution or rabid hunters. It is because they expect in the near future that a race war will occur and they want to be prepared, defensively and offensively. Political correctness prevents honesty.
Patricia Evans, Mountain Park: Well, we've embarrassed ourselves again. At least those of us with some sense of reason are embarrassed for Georgia. It is a sad day that Georgia is regressing into a degenerative state of consciousness. Basic intelligence seems to be sorely lacking in Georgia's Legislature. So, congratulations to Gov. Nathan Deal for signing a bill 70 percent of Georgians did not want.
Sheriff Scott Berry, Oconee County: In my opinion, the license language in House Bill 60 is a direct message to the peace officers of Georgia that honest, law-abiding citizens have the right to proceed unhindered and unobstructed in their daily lives and should not be subject to intense law enforcement scrutiny due to the fact they choose to lawfully carry a firearm.
Sheriff Bobby McLemore, Ben Hill County: All of the sheriffs of Georgia support Second Amendment rights, but this bill takes it too far with the sacrifice of lives to satisfy only a few people.
Sarah Steffner, Chattanooga: About three or four times a year, we cross the state line heading toward Atlanta to enjoy a show, Georgia's great parks and beautiful museums. It's a fun and easy getaway. But not any more. After the passage of the Open Carry law, and the news story about sightings of gun owners flaunting their new rights in front of young children, I'm not interested in spending time and dollars in Georgia. I'm all for gun rights. You can do whatever you want with guns in your own home. But gun restrictions in public places are just good common sense, especially when kids are involved. I hope Tennessee, which was considering similar legislation, will learn from Georgia's mistake. Until then, our family getaways will be headed toward Nashville.
Carson Lemmon, Richmond Hill: A man openly carrying a holstered firearm near a children's baseball game in Cumming was reported as asking people if they saw his gun and saying there was nothing anyone could do about it. Forsyth County deputies responding to 911 calls from frightened parents agreed that no laws were broken by this permit holder. Did it not occur to them that this was not rational behavior and could reflect a troubled mind? … It's said Ben Franklin argued for the wild turkey as our national symbol. I would like to suggest the ostrich, since those in a position to make a difference in our society choose to stick their heads in the sand.
