Gun Crazy Georgia

Just before the close of this year’s Georgia State Legislature session, Governor Brian Kemp signed into law abill allowing adult Georgia residents to carry handguns in public without a license or background check . The vote was 103 Yes 69 No, so Kemp’s Republican colleagues got what the wanted.

Often referred to as “Constitutional Carry” laws, “Georgia is the 22nd state for permitless carry legislation to take effect. This law allows both residents and non-residents 21 years of age and older to carry handguns, long guns, and other deadly weapons, openly or concealed, in public, without a permit. The legislation also removed the residency requirement for out-of-state permit holders, allowing for both residents and non-residents alike to carry between the ages of 18–20 with any out-of-state carry permit.”(Legiscan 3)

States often function as laboratories for democracy so I am looking forward to how this change affects crime in Georgia. Since there are 28 states with out constitutional carry laws, so I hope that someone studies whether this change increases the use of guns during crimes. Whoever does that research should take into account the percentage of citizens who have hand guns and assault rifles, the socio-economic status of those citizens, and any other factors known to influence the occurrence of crime such as the ratio of police officers to citizens. The questions is whether “gunning up” your communities increases or decreases different types of crime.

I’ve always owned guns of one description or another, everything from my first childhood Red Rider BB gun to my Smith & Wesson MP 40 Compact automatic pistol. Now at age 75 I’m thinking that I might need a 12-gauge pump shotgun for home protection. If things get really bad, I might start wearing my pistol in my belt. I share this because I want readers to know about my own use of guns before I write the rest of this article.

It is my opinion that the proliferation of weapons in our society cannot be, at least ultimately, good for nation. I say this because it just makes sense. For example the proliferation of guns will undoubtedly increase the number of children who accidentally shoot a friend or sibling, increase the use of guns in marital or family disputes, suicides, and 7–11 robberies.

I know that some people are preparing for armageddon or an outbreak of politically, religiously, or racially based violence that will quckly spread across our nation. Former president Donald Trump and his followers have made this a possibility. Violence against Asian Americans, Muslim Americans, and LGBTQ Americans is increasing.

Rude language, rude behaviors, and disruptive violence on airplanes, in parking lots, and at sports events are becoming more frequent. Aggressive driving, speeding — especially extreme speeding — is increasing.

If these trends continue adding more guns won’t help!