Bill Text: GA SB281 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Crimes; authorize churches to determine whether to permit persons licensed to carry firearms to carry on church premises/functions

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-03-25 - Senate Read and Referred [SB281 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-SB281-Introduced.html

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09 LC 35 1367

Senate Bill 281

By: Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Rogers of the 21st and Seabaugh of the 28th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 16-11-127 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to carrying deadly weapons to or at public gatherings and affirmative defenses, so as to authorize churches to determine for themselves whether to permit or exclude persons licensed or permitted to carry firearms to carry firearms on church premises or at church functions; to authorize persons licensed or permitted to carry firearms to carry firearms on church premises or at church functions; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 16-11-127 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to carrying deadly weapons to or at public gatherings and affirmative defenses, is amended by revising subsections (b) and (e) as follows:

"(b) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this Code section, for For the purpose of this Code section, 'public gathering' shall include, but shall not be limited to, athletic or sporting events, churches or church functions, political rallies or functions, publicly owned or operated buildings, or establishments at which alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises and which derive less than 50 percent of their total annual gross food and beverage sales from the sale of prepared meals or food. Nothing in this Code section shall otherwise prohibit the carrying of a firearm in any other public place by a person licensed or permitted to carry such firearm by this part."

"(e) A person licensed or permitted to carry a firearm by this part shall be permitted to carry such firearm, subject to the limitations of this part, at all church functions, and in all parks, churches, historic sites, and recreational areas, including all publicly owned buildings located in such parks, historic sites, and recreational areas and in wildlife management areas, notwithstanding Code Section 12-3-10, in wildlife management areas notwithstanding Code Section Sections 27-3-1.1 and 27-3-6, and in public transportation notwithstanding Code Sections 16-12-122 through 16-12-127; provided, however, that a person shall not carry a firearm into a place prohibited by federal law."

SECTION 2.

This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.