Now that the Supreme Court has ruled on the 2nd Amendment, we should expect to see a flurry of gun rights activism all over the country. We should also expect to see desperate struggles for bureaucrats to retain their power of intimidation over the law abiding segment of the population. Bear in mind, once again, that it is this officious attitude that has resulted in a higher per capita incarceration rate than any other developed country.
Two things to keep in mind during these coming struggles - 1) The struggles will NOT affect criminals. What is being decided is whether law and order respecting citizens will be able to enjoy the right guaranteed by the Constitution. Criminals already ignore municipal, state and federal gun restrictions on a routine basis. 2) Despite the shrill harping you’ll hear from your bureaucrats nationwide, no one will be less safe if guns are permitted to LAW ABIDING citizens in places like Chicago, San Francisco and Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. Those places will in fact, become safer. The more armed law abiding types you have roaming around, the safer you are. That is a safe rule of thumb to follow. This is a culture war of authoritarians against individualists.
Having said that, I would encourage you to take a moment to read how Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and her posse are clearly stating that they are above the law.
If someone could get 50 concealed carry permit holders together, organize a legal defense for them, and have them show up at the airport with their weapons I would participate. I’d love to see the city of Atlanta try and win that battle in the Georgia court system - it is clearly unlawful for the city to try and declare any “gun free zones” that contradict state law. I am more interested in re-asserting my second amendment rights and expanding the scope of where I can carry without being harrased by petty bureaucrats than anything. I wouldn’t cry if Shirley Franklin lost sleep over not being able to tell me what to do either. I already drive to the airport with my gun fairly frequently - I’m not a threat to anyone non-violent on the premises. Someone needs to stand up before we’re all constantly bowing. If gun owners who have already been vetted by the state to carry showed up en masse and peacefully dared the police to arrest them, it would force the city to abide by the law. Maybe georgiacarry.org can get an organized protest together.
Update: Georgia Carry has filed a lawsuit against the City of Atlanta.
An attorney for Georgia Carry showed up at a press conference by Franklin and DeCosta to hand them a copy of the suit. DeCosta took it, while Franklin walked away.
Franklin and DeCosta had called the press conference to say they will stick with their no-guns policy for parts of the airport outside federal jurisdiction, which include parking lots and main lobby and ticketing areas. Franklin said she will lobby Congress to authorize gun bans in any public facilities that get federal funds.
I’d love it if someone could clarify for me who put Ben DeCosta in charge of all the airports in Georgia? I thought he was just Shirley Franklin’s personal lapdog and socialist associate.
3 comments ↓
While it may take a while for the challenges to surface, they will happen; either through natural situations or through a concerted effort by some group or individual intent on forcing the issue.
Hartsfield-Jackson is a gun-free zone based on sound legal authority and clear common sense. It is also a public safety necessity.
We are in compliance with the public gathering exception found in Georgia law which prohibits firearms in publicly-owned or operated buildings. Because the Airport is owned and operated by the City of Atlanta, we are exercising our legal authority.
The public safety necessity is the reality with which the aviation industry is still operating in a post-9/11 era. Every day the FBI, federal air marshals, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Atlanta Police Department and other law enforcement are working to ensure that firearms do not pose a danger to air travel.
I believe the common sense factor is clear to most Georgians. Law enforcement is ample at the Airport, and crimes against persons are extremely rare. As one Atlanta Journal-Constitution blogger put it, “Airports are (among) the most secure places these days… There are cops everywhere.” Calling on your common sense, I ask this question: Why jeopardize that security?
Unless you are traveling with a weapon properly secured in checked luggage in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration and TSA regulations or you are a sworn federal, state or local law enforcement officer or armored security personnel, you are not allowed to carry weapons on airport property.
Hartsfield-Jackson’s designation as a gun-free zone is a necessary position that will help ensure the safety of the millions of people who come through the Airport’s doors.
– Senior PR Manager Orzy Theus
Unfortunately, Mr. Theus, I feel you are introducing a red herring. Criminals won’t, and don’t follow your bureaucratic ban. And how many concealed carry permit holders have initiated gun violence at Hartsfield-Jackson? I would guess zero.
I’d also guess that I, as a private citizen, am a better shot than 95% of your “trained security professionals” at Hartsfield-Jackson. The “gun free” zone idea is about control, not security.
Futhermore, it is ridiculous to expect people who carry weapons on their person or in their vehicles to find a safe storage location somewhere in Atlanta just so they can pickup or dropoff a friend, family member or business associate.
Hartsfield-Jackson’s designation as a “gun-free” zone is no more useful than a ban on cancer and about as effective. If an armed group of professional terrorists ever decides to attack Hartsfield-Jackson airport, I assure you that your “gun free” zone will only help them to achieve their goals.
I am tired of security theater and officious pronouncements about how the public cannot be trusted with the same tools as government. I wear the uniform and have served in a combat zone. I am no more likely to randomly spray gunfire at Hartsfield-Jackson airport than I was when I lived and worked in downtown Baghdad and I’m insulted by your need to preach. My fellow law-abiding citizens and I, the ones who choose to exercise our carry rights, represent no more threat to the sanctity and security of your airport and its travelers than any of your armed, uniformed employees do.
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