Editorial on HB 89
The following is an editorial written by State Sen. John Douglas on House Bill 89. I believe it will be running in most of the papers in the 17th District and the AJC.
Governor Perdue, please sign House Bill 89, the concealed weapons bill that will better allow law abiding Georgians to defend themselves and their families.
Many vocal opponents of the second amendment are in a lather over the prospect of Governor Sonny Perdue signing the recently passed personal protection bill which would expand the places law abiding, concealed weapons permit holders can take their weapons.
I was the Senator who added the amendment to HB 89 which brought mass transit and restaurants into the bill. When I spoke on the Senate floor to ask for approval of the amendment, I cited several examples of situations where legally held guns were available to stop violence and where they were not. At Lubby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas on October 16, 1991 a deranged man drove his truck into a plate glass window of the restaurant, got out and began shooting diners. In the crowd was a member of the US Olympic Shooting team who had weapons in her car, but under Texas law, could not bring them into the establishment. She saw both of her parents and 22 others killed that day while she could not get to her guns.
In Colorado Springs, CO in December, 2007, a gunman killed two unarmed teenage girls in the parking lot of a church. When he entered the church ready to replicate previous mass murders, he encountered an armed church member who immediately killed him with no other injuries occurring in the facility.
The story of Virginia Tech is well known, many dead students and faculty members who had no access to protection while the police did their best to get to the scene. Compare that to Appalachian State University on January 16, 2002 where two students were able to get to their cars and their guns, returned, captured the gunman and held him for police. Three people died there compared to more than two dozen at VA Tech.
There are few if any examples of gun free zones or areas creating crime free zones. City after city that has tried to take weapons from law abiding citizens have seen crime rates rise. Even whole counties, like Australia one year after law abiding citizens were required to turn in guns has seen significant rises in crimes such as murder, home invasions and armed robberies. When a criminal knows or suspects his victim is not going to be armed, he is more likely to attack, not less likely. It's just that simple.
The General Assembly can legislate all day long, but there is nothing the we can do to force criminals to obey the law. There is much we can do to force law abiding citizens to obey the law simply because they will. While honest Georgians will do as we say, criminals will continue on their way ignoring our laws. The result: criminals will continue to use guns for violence while hard working, honest citizens will find themselves unprotected. Law enforcement in Georgia does a wonderful job but they can not be everywhere all the time.
Governor Perdue, we have nothing to fear from law abiding, honest Georgians. Give us the chance to protect ourselves and our families in a violent time. Give us the means to hold off criminals until law enforcement arrives. Give honest Georgians HB 89.
Senator John Douglas
GA Senate District 17
Comments
We need this bill (HB89) to be signed so that we the law abiding citizens can protect ourselves in more places!!
Posted by: Mafuta54 | April 18, 2008 06:44 AM
Thank you, Sen.Douglas, for your integrity and courage in supporting HB 89 and the rights of all honest Georgians to protect themselves. I find it astonishing that the meek and uninformed in our society continue to fear law abiding citizens who choose to be prepared to defend themselves and others against the violence that surrounds us all. I urge Gov. Perdue to sign HB 89.
Posted by: Larryg2 | April 18, 2008 07:58 AM
Thanks for your efforts. These new laws will make our citizens more safe from the predators in our world.
Posted by: Eric | April 18, 2008 08:12 AM
Its hard to argue with logic, although leftists find ways. I particularly like the line, "we have nothing to fear from law abiding, honest Georgians." It is those same people who make this state work, make it great and will keep it safe....if they are given the chance. Governor Perdue, sign the bill and lets move on.
Posted by: South Henry Neighbor | April 18, 2008 08:20 AM
Senator,
It's nice to see an elected official pursue a worthwhile bill for a change. This'll certainly help those of us who always carry concealed, no matter what, as well as those who want to.
Posted by: Tyler | April 18, 2008 08:45 AM
There is serious doubt as to whether the Governor will sign or veto the bill. If you have an opinion, please call his office, 404-656-1776 and let them know your thoughts.
Posted by: John Douglas | April 18, 2008 09:07 AM
I think the Governor is failing all the citizens of Ga. by not signing this bill but then again he doesn't need to carry as he has a phalanx of armed storm trooper protecting him and his much like the other anti gun politicians that are against us common folks having the ability to protect ourselves.
I am sick of these elite little demagogues thinking they are to important to not have armed protection but the peons and taxpayers have no need of such and besides if they were able to arm themselves they might take exception to the way we treat them then we would all have to get real jobs.
Does anyone out there know who said "disarm the populous"? and the effect this would have. Study European history.
Mr. Perdue you were elected to represent the citizens of Ga. I ask you do that by signing HB89 as this is the wishes of those who elected you to represent THEIR desire.
Posted by: Don | April 18, 2008 10:44 AM
WOW! Excellent Letter!!!
Thank you, Senator Douglas!!!
Your defense of Liberty and belief in the goodness of Georgians is inspiring.
Posted by: Mike Menkus | April 18, 2008 10:45 AM
WOW!
A politician that both understands the common man AND one that tells the truth?
How in the world did he ever get elected?
Posted by: Shamalama | April 18, 2008 12:32 PM
Sen Douglas it was nice meeting you last night. I know I give you a hard time but I do love this bill. I hope to see you tomorrow at Calloway.
Posted by: Doug Craig | April 18, 2008 08:18 PM
This editorial mentions the Lubby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas shootings and states "[A] member of the US Olympic Shooting team ... had weapons in her car, but under Texas law, could not bring them into the establishment. She saw both of her parents and 22 others killed that day while she could not get to her guns."
This seems to be a reference to Suzanna Gratia Hupp, but I have been unable to find any information documenting that she has ever been member of the US Olympic Shooting team.
Posted by: TangoAlpha | April 21, 2008 12:43 PM
My wife and I use to go to the the parks all the time to walk, But after the killing of the girl up north we are forced to walk at the local schools. And I have a permit to carry a hand gun. Because I've been checked out by the best. It seems only fair to me that I should be ablt to protect my wife and myself from thoes kind of people.
Posted by: Dennis | April 27, 2008 11:56 AM
Senator Douglas
It's refreshing to have a politician who cares about us. This bill is way overdue, Gov.Perdue please sign this bill so we can protect our families against people who do not value a human life. Look what's happening in Chicago and everywhere else
Posted by: Randy DeLosSantos | April 27, 2008 08:19 PM
‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing'
And
For the government to make it illegal for good men to do something.
Posted by: James | April 30, 2008 10:27 AM