Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is considering signing a bill that would allow Georgians to carry concealed handguns onto trains and buses and into restaurants that serve alcohol.
The bill passed Georgia’s General Assembly on the last day of the 2007-08 session.
Under the bill, Georgians would not be allowed to carry concealed guns to athletic events, churches, political rallies or bars, but they could carry them onto trains and buses and into state parks, historic sites and restaurants that derive at least 50% of their revenue from food sales.
“We hear all this stuff about how people are going to drop their chicken wings and start blasting,” said state Rep. Tim Bearden, the bill’s author, who attended the news conference to defend his legislation. “But we’re talking about law- abiding citizens, not criminals. Law-abiding citizens should have the right to decide for themselves.”
Bearden said 37 states allow firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol and 43 states allow firearms on public transportation.
The deadline for Perdue to sign or veto the bill is May 4.
