Steven Mace
02-20-2002, 09:00 PM
2002 GEORGIA LEGISLATURE: Both sides of aisle yield to gun amendment
David Goldberg - Staff
Tuesday, February 19, 2002
The bipartisan goodwill surrounding a bill aimed at managing bioterror gave way Monday when a state senator turned the debate into a referendum on gun rights.
The bill allows the governor, in the event of an attack, to declare a "public health emergency" --- just as he may do under pre-existing law in the event of enemy attack or natural disasters --- and sets out the responsibilities of state agencies. Sen. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta), who is running for the 11th Congressional District seat, said Monday he had been "inundated" with e-mails from gun owners that the governor's special powers would allow him to confiscate their weapons.
Gingrey proposed an amendment that would change existing law to prohibit the governor from suspending or limiting the sale or transportation of firearms, no matter the type of emergency. The governor still would be able to restrict the sale and transportation of "alcoholic beverages, explosives and combustibles."
"Either you're for the Second Amendment, or you're not for the Second Amendment," Gingrey said, referring to the constitutional right to "keep and bear arms."
Gingrey's move brought indignation from the legislators who sponsored the bill on behalf of Gov. Roy Barnes.
"Nothing in the bill says anything about confiscating personal weapons," said Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Powder Springs). Gingrey's amendment is so broad, he complained, that it would prevent the governor from stopping the supply of weapons to a terrorist.
"He's allowed gun-running in the event of a national emergency. I sure hope we don't have that in Congress," Thompson said, referring to Gingrey's aspirations.
Sen. Charlie Tanksley (R-Marietta) also opposed the amendment, saying that the House version of the bill would make it explicit that legally owned weapons would not be confiscated.
Still, Tanksley and Thompson both voted for Gingrey's amendment, which passed 48-2. After the vote, the two acknowledged that, with an election looming, they could not afford the appearance of voting against gun rights.
http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/epaper/editions/tuesday/metro_c3179ffc707dd13d0031.html
Steve Mace
David Goldberg - Staff
Tuesday, February 19, 2002
The bipartisan goodwill surrounding a bill aimed at managing bioterror gave way Monday when a state senator turned the debate into a referendum on gun rights.
The bill allows the governor, in the event of an attack, to declare a "public health emergency" --- just as he may do under pre-existing law in the event of enemy attack or natural disasters --- and sets out the responsibilities of state agencies. Sen. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta), who is running for the 11th Congressional District seat, said Monday he had been "inundated" with e-mails from gun owners that the governor's special powers would allow him to confiscate their weapons.
Gingrey proposed an amendment that would change existing law to prohibit the governor from suspending or limiting the sale or transportation of firearms, no matter the type of emergency. The governor still would be able to restrict the sale and transportation of "alcoholic beverages, explosives and combustibles."
"Either you're for the Second Amendment, or you're not for the Second Amendment," Gingrey said, referring to the constitutional right to "keep and bear arms."
Gingrey's move brought indignation from the legislators who sponsored the bill on behalf of Gov. Roy Barnes.
"Nothing in the bill says anything about confiscating personal weapons," said Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Powder Springs). Gingrey's amendment is so broad, he complained, that it would prevent the governor from stopping the supply of weapons to a terrorist.
"He's allowed gun-running in the event of a national emergency. I sure hope we don't have that in Congress," Thompson said, referring to Gingrey's aspirations.
Sen. Charlie Tanksley (R-Marietta) also opposed the amendment, saying that the House version of the bill would make it explicit that legally owned weapons would not be confiscated.
Still, Tanksley and Thompson both voted for Gingrey's amendment, which passed 48-2. After the vote, the two acknowledged that, with an election looming, they could not afford the appearance of voting against gun rights.
http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/epaper/editions/tuesday/metro_c3179ffc707dd13d0031.html
Steve Mace