I think it's a good idea to keep them off the property, just in case of one of those "heat of the moment" type of situations.
ATLANTA --- A debate over whether workers can keep guns in their cars on the job brought the president of the National Rifle Association to Georgia for a news conference where he was heckled by one of his own members.
The issue pits two powerful lobbying groups -- the NRA and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce -- against each other over the question of which right is more important: private property or bearing arms.
NRA President Wayne LaPierre said his organization's support of House Bill 89 wasn't in opposition to private property rights. Instead, he said, it's a reaction to a movement sweeping the country by gun-control advocates seeking to impose restrictions by encouraging employers to enact rules prohibiting guns in vehicles on company-owned lots.
HB 89 would prohibit businesses from imposing those rules in Georgia.
"So in effect, this (kind of company rule) is a wrecking ball for the Second Amendment," he said. "It's also a blueprint for totally eviscerating and nullifying right-to-carry legislation in 38 states in our country and takes away the right of a lot of these second- and third-shift workers to protect themselves because some rich corporate lawyer has decided that they want to impose this type of policy."
While he was speaking, he was taunted by Bob Thornton, of Arnoldsville, who described himself as a longtime NRA member. Afterward, Mr. Thornton told reporters that the NRA was trying to quiet dissent from gun owners who oppose the bill because they want to control their own land.
"This law would stop me from saying what I could do on my own property," said Mr. Thornton, who prohibited guns in the parking lot of the liquor store he once owned.
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce agrees with Mr. Thornton. It has e-mailed its members, urging them to contact legislators in opposition.
The message warns that company insurance and legal costs will increase if the bill passes because it would hinder efforts to keep workers safe.
"Tell Senators not to let the NRA get away with passing legislation to take away the right of private entities to decide whether or not to permit firearms on their premises," lobbyist Joe Fleming wrote in a e-mail that includes a photo of Mr. LaPierre, a bull's eye and a silhouette target with shots through the heart labeled "property rights ownership."
Mr. LaPierre said the idea for the bill began when an Oklahoma paper mill fired a number of employees for having guns in their vehicles in violation of a company rule.
Comments
I think it's a good idea to keep them off the property, just in case of one of those "heat of the moment" type of situations.
Yeah, keep the guns out and post a sign telling criminals that there's no guns in this lot. Sounds safe to me. Not passing this bill will be all the sign needed in parking lots. "When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns".
whats next, we are going to tell the newspaper what they can print? the reason we have the right to bare arms is to protect ourselves from our government.
If you can't control your parking lot can you tell a person they can't carry a gun on your property? It is very simple: the NRA wants to make it impossible to enact any gun laws whatsoever.
well im thankful for your service to our country, as my dad served for 30 years, but i stand by what i said and i will continue to carry my gun with me (registered and lisenced to do so)
The Second Amendment is to ensure they citizens can keep arms privately. This stems from the assurance for a well-regulated militia, the right of the people to bear arms. The government could not supply weapons for it's militias to fight with, therefore the citizens supplied their own weapons which they also used to hunt game for food and protect themselves from criminals. If a private concern posts a sign saying no weapons on the property, then that right should be respected. But there should be provisions to allow weapons to be stored safely and securely in a vehicle even in a parking lot. A fine line, but if I get mugged in someone's parking lot where I cannot protect myself, I will sue the property owner for not providing adequate security.
fyjigmo- well said. i can respect that.
Yes! I hope that this passes! This bill is about EMPLOYERS prohibiting EMPLOYEES from keeping a gun in their vehicle. Hellm I already carry a gun everywhere else, but I would be fired if I had my gun in my car, and they found out.
stickman..You don't need a gun to protect yourself from the government right now, but how do we know what the next years will bring. The world is a volatile place. I don't own a gun, wouldn't know how to use one. I am scared to death to handle one. Still I am glad my neighbors have theirs handy.
The second ammendment IS my gun permit!
i dont have a gun to protect myself from the government. i wrote that because that had some reasoning behind the 2nd amendment. i have one to protect my family and myself. i think the police officers do a great job, however they cant be everywhere all the time.
The parking lot is treir property, but my vehicle is an extention of my home, and what's in there is none of my employer's businesss.
You'll just get your gun stolen eventually if you leave it in the car. Way to work that out guys.
scoobasteve, if I have a business that says no guns on my property, then it doesn't matter that your vehicle is your own property. Take it to the next Dollar General that allows gun-totin gun ol boys like yourself.
As if I'd let anyone know that I have a gun anyway. The only way anyone would know that I am carrying, would be if the SHTF, and I had to draw it to save a life.
"Gun-toting Good ol boys" Thank you shivas.
BTW, Shivas, Now that the Hillary '08 tour is imploding, Are you ready to embrace Barak Osama?
A major part of the violence problem now is that there is not enough good ol boys carrying their guns. If that 24-year-old Meredith Emerson girl up in BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. would have been toatin she might would be alive today. Just think if you take all us good ol boys guns all the bad ol boys can have a hay day with you, me and all our families. The law states that we as citizens are allowed to have a hand gun in our homes and our automobiles and us good ol boys that get a permit can carry them all kind of places.
If guns cause crime, then all of my guns must be defective.
I have always believed Obama would be very strong the closer the primaries. I am surprised at Hillary's ineffectiveness at handling her defeat and apparent poor polls in New Hampshire. I still think Edwards may get the nomimation, but it will be fun to see how it plays out.
Have you seen the 2 minute video of Edwards playing with his hair? priceless . It's on youtube.
if guns kill people, then:
-spoons make people fat
-pencils mispell words (or my computer)
-cars not the driver, speed
He does have a hair fetish. There could be worse, you know.
free $400.00 haircuts for everyone. it is an entitlement. i was a poor millworkers son, now i get $400.00 haircuts. everyone should have $400.00 haircuts. it is not fair that poor people have to get $20.00 haircuts.............. vouchers...thats it.
think this would drive up the price of a haircut? what else does he want to mandate? oh yea health insurance........... nothing like a govt intervention to drive up costs.
If you paid as much as he does for a haircut you would play with it to but, what's that got to do with carrying a gun?
For real now, what's haircuts got to do with guns?
If more people carried with a permit we all would be alot safer.a criminal doesn't care what the law is or what the sign says if he wants to rob,rape,kill you or someone you love he will.and only you can stop them.I live in s.c. and have been around guns all my life i have never seen a gun go out and shoot or rob anyone on its own only with someone that was a fool. in s.c.you have to take a 8hour class that includes a complete background check by the state,take a written test,and go to the range and shoot 50 rounds accurately to get a permit to carry conceled .it was the best money and time i ever spent, i would encourage everyone that can pass the background to do the same, where would you rather be beside someone with a gun to protect you or being helpless in a situation with someone with a gun pointed at youor your loved one
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