DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown issued a public statement Wednesday against House Bill 512, which would widely expand access to guns across Georgia in places such as schools, college campuses and some courthouses.
“It seems that in today’s gun debates, legislators believe that if a gun owner is licensed, he is unlikely to commit a crime and is exempt from becoming emotional and using his or her weapon,” Brown said. “I vehemently disagree. Yes, licensed gun owners pass a background check. But think of how many suspects commit serious crimes as their first offense. Many of our mass shootings have been committed by individuals who have never before been charged with a crime.”
Brown joined a list of people including Gov. Nathan Deal, the people who run the state’s universities and technical colleges, and judges and school officials from across the state who oppose either some or all of the bill.
That resistance is likely to have an effect on HB 512, despite its overwhelming passage last week in the state House. Pro-gun groups have strongly supported the bill, which must now be vetted in the Senate with only seven days left in this year’s legislative session.
If HB 512 became law, people licensed to carry concealed weapons could also bring guns into all bars, churches and unsecured government buildings.
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