Supporters of a bill to expand gun rights in Georgia urged lawmakers Thursday to protect their rights and advance the proposal to the full House.
The Public Safety Committee held its second hearing on House Bill 875, which would lift restrictions on guns in churches and bars, allow school boards to arm employees and make an end run around a ban on licensed owners carrying guns on college campuses by making it no longer a crime.
The panel approved the bill by a voice vote. It could be debated on the House floor early next week.
While Wednesday’s hearing was dominated by opponents, including many members of the state’s faith community, Thursday’s session mostly featured supporters such as Elizabeth Finch, who said she often volunteers late at her church in Marietta and wants the right to protect herself while walking to her car.
“I shouldn’t be denied by law the right to equip myself for my own proactive protection, whether it be at a grocery store, a place of worship or my house,” said Finch, who identified herself as a National Rifle Association-certified instructor and the leader of a women’s shooting club.
While lawmakers heard from clergy members opposed to the bill Wednesday, faith-based leaders who support the measure came out Thursday.
Mike Griffin, a lobbyist for the Georgia Baptist Convention, said his employer backs the measure sponsored by Rep. Rick Jasperse, R-Jasper.
“It’s a sanctity of human life issue as far as I’m concerned,” said Griffin, who is also a lobbyist for Georgia Right to Life. “The Second Amendment right ends up protecting all life.”
Not all who spoke Thursday, however, support the bill. Michael Bishop of Pine Mountain said his son was among the 33 people killed in the Virginia Tech massacre of 2007.
An Air Force veteran, Bishop said more guns are not the answer.
“Guns take lives,” Bishop said. “The more powerful and sophisticated they are, the more lives they can and do take.”
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