Negligence in Texas May Influence Georgia Law

Last September I commented on an incident that occurred at Temple Emanu-El of Dallas. Mr. Marvin Marks (81 and a retired police officer) dropped a concealed handgun during services and the firearm discharged, striking his daughters foot. The immediate consequences of Mr. Marks' negligence were three injured people and Temple Emanu-El being posted with proper 30.06 signage. In Texas, 30.06 signs prevent law abiding CHL holders from carrying in the establishment that posted the signs.

It seems Mr. Marks' negligence may also affect legislation in the State of Georgia.

From AJC.com:

By James Salzer

Senate panel hears more-guns-in-public debate

Gun-control advocates, religious leaders and government officials urged a key Senate panel Tuesday to not let more Georgians carry firearms into places of worship, schools, municipal buildings and mental hospitals.

But gun-rights supporters say there is no evidence Georgians licensed to carry firearms would endanger the public if allowed to bring their weapons to church or onto college campuses...

...The move to weaken the current ban on guns at “public gatherings,” including churches and college campuses, comes on the heels of House Bill 89, which became law on July 1. That measure lets people with firearms licenses carry guns into state parks, restaurants that serve alcohol and on mass transit.

GeorgiaCarry.org, which pushed House Bill 89, is also backing the move to make it legal to carry guns to church and other places.

The group’s president, Ed Stone, said people with carry licenses rarely commit crimes. But he said current gun-control laws don’t prevent criminals from committing crimes.

Georgia legislators have done a good job of expanding an individuals right to keep and bear arms. The improved legislation has received positive press and the public is ready to accept further improvements in the state laws.

Where does Mr. Marks' incident come into play? Well the anti's are using it as an example for why citizens should be prohibited from defending themselves in a place of worship.

While several Georgians with carry licenses told the committee much the same thing, a parade of government, religious and gun safety officials urged lawmakers to be careful about opening up more public places to guns...

...Rabbi Peter Berg, senior rabbi at The Temple, told the committee that a man with a license to carry a weapon dropped his gun, wounding his daughter, during a service at his last congregation in Dallas, Texas.

“We can have guns, but there are places, particularly where children gather, that guns should not be,” he said.

Negligence with a firearm does not just affect those around you, it can have far reaching consequences for all of us.