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GA: Omnibus Gun Law Reform Moves Forward with Knife Law Reform
HB 292 is the Georgia omnibus gun law reform bill for 2017. It is very similar to the reform bill HB 1060, that passed the legislature last year. That bill was vetoed by Governor Deal.
HB 292 has a couple of differences. Church carry is not addressed in the 2017 bill, and knife reform has been added as an amendment.
Here are some of the features of HB 292, from georgiacarry.org:
- Will allow for a person moving into GA who has a valid firearms license or permit to carry on that permit for 90 days or upon person attaining a GWL;
- Allow for certain law enforcement officers to carry when in performance of their official duties;
- Provides for Probate Judge and the DNR to offer Gun Safety Information to applicants for GWL;
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Gives law enforcement 10 days to report to the Probate Judge any findings that may bear upon the issuance of a GWL;
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The judge of the probate court shall not suspend the processing of the application or extend, delay, or avoid any time requirements
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Provides a path to repeal the GWL upon adjudication of a matter that would effect the maintenance of a GWL;
- Provides for a name change due to marriage or divorce or an address change if the GWL’s expiration date is over 90 days out. The fee for such replacement is determined by Code Section 15-9-60 (k)(13) and is currently $6.00
- Makes changes to Code Section 16-11-130
- Defines the term commercial service airport;
- Defines the term major airline carrier;
- Provides a path for a person who has been involuntarily hospitalized to apply for restoration of rights.
- Provides that any instructor who lawfully instructs, educates, or trains a person in the safe, proper, or technical use of a firearm shall be immune from civil liability for any injuries caused by the failure of such person to use such firearm properly or lawfully.
The knife reform that has been added changes the definition of “knife” from those with a blade of more than five inches, to those with a blade of more than 12 inches. This means that knives with blades of less than 12 inches are not regulated by the law. If the reform passes, there will be “Constitutional Carry” for blades of less than 12 inches.
A blade of more than 12 inches is encroaching on short sword status.
Another amendment has been to include language to prohibit financial institutions from discriminating against people or trade associations solely because of their engagement in the lawful commerce of firearms or ammunition.
HB 292 has passed the House with a vote of 127 to 48. It has passed Senate committee, and should now go for a vote to the complete Senate. It has been amended, so if it passes the Senate, it will have to go back to the House for another vote before being sent to Governor Deal.
©2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
Source: http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2017/03/ga-omnibus-gun-law-reform-moves-forward.html
