Last night, in the waning moments of the legislative session,
GA HB60 was passed. It awaits action by Governor Deal.
Bullet points from the bill: (disclaimer that I have not read the bill as passes in its entirety)
- remove fingerprinting requirement for GWCL renewals (saves citizen $42)
- allows for carry in government buildings without active security screening
- removes blanket prohibition from carry in places of worship and allows each congregation to decide the matter
- prohibits state from creating database of GWCL holders (Probabte judges issue the licenses)
- allows for carry in non-secured portions of airports
- allows for 18-20 year old military members to obatain GWCL (currently exempt in GA, will allow carry out of state)
- allows for use of suppressors when hunting
- removes governor's authority to restrict carry during emergencies (last governor vetoed bills with this in it)
I will be thoroughly reading the bill as there were some legislative shenanigans at play. The Senate tried to mess with things, but the House outmaneuvered them in the end. There are some provisions that were in the original bill that are very pertinent to 4th Amendment issues.
I'm presenting my class on the carry laws at a conference in August; so, I have some updating to do.