Congresswoman Lucy McBath’s commentary on deregulation of firearms in the Peach State highlighted her lack of understanding of the state’s laws.
Following the announcement by Governor Brian Kemp earlier this week with regard to his support of constitutional carry in Georgia, McBath took aim at the lack of training requirement that would accompany ‘permitless carry’ if approved by the legislature.
Her congressional office released the following statement on her behalf:
“Less than a year after a shooting spree left eight Georgians dead in three spas across metro Atlanta, state officials are trying to make it easier for anybody to wield guns around our children, around our families, and throughout our communities.
“My own son was murdered in a senseless act of gun violence, and we cannot continue to let those who know nothing of gun safety put the lives of our children on the line.
“These irresponsible laws are dangerous for law enforcement, dangerous for families, and they have no place in our state. We must do better.”
Press Release, January 5, 2022
Her statement, however, demonstrates that McBath is unfamiliar with conceal carry laws in Georgia.
Currently, Georgia does not require training or knowledge of ‘gun safety’ in order to obtain a Weapons Carry License. The licenses are issued at the county level and filed with the probate court in the county of residence. State law requires a person to be at least 21 years old (18 for members of the military). No license is needed to carry a handgun in a person’s home, vehicle, place of business, while fishing or hunting, or unloaded in a case.
McBath’s son was killed in at a convenience store in Florida in 2012 during a dispute with a 45-year-old man, Michael David Dunn, who was in possession of a conceal carry license. Florida does require proof of completion of a training course in order to carry concealed. The minimum age for concealed carry in Florida is 21 years old, unless a person is a member of the military or an honorably discharged veteran. The license is all encompassing and includes electronic weapons or devices, tear gas guns, knives and billies.
Currently, 21 states in the United States allow ‘permitless carry’ of firearms. The Georgia legislature is expected to take up the issue when the legislative session begins on Monday.
