Firearms

Atlanta: Judge rules against guns in airport

Monday, a federal judge decided that people would not be allowed to carry guns in Atlanta's international airport, even if they have licenses for carrying firearms. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, U.S. District Court Judge Marvin Shoob ruled that people with firearms licenses can’t bring guns into non-secure areas of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

GeogiaCarry.org group and state Rep. Timothy Bearden were pro guns in the airport and they brought the lawsuit. Timothy Bearden sponsored House Bill 89 which allows people who have firearms licenses to carry guns in parks, restaurants that serve alcohol and also on public transportation. The bill became law on July 1st.

U.S. District Court Judge Marvin Shoob was not at all convinced that carrying guns in an airport was a good idea, saying that such a measure would not contribute at all to the safety of the airport. He added that having concealed weapons into non-secure areas of the airport, which is a very busy place, would only make it less safe.

“There is a significant question as to whether permitting the carrying of guns in the airport is a serious threat to the public safety and welfare,” said Marvin Shoob, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Timothy Bearden was disappointed with the judge’s ruling. He filed suit after Ben DeCosta, airport general manager, said he would have the lawmaker arrested if he brought a gun to the airport.

On the other hand, Robert Kennedy, the airport's assistant general manager in charge of operations, maintenance and security, said that people were still very concerned about airport security, adding that “we can’t get away from a post 9/11 environment.” He also said that a gun discharged in a non-secure area would cause mass panic.

John Monroe, the lawyer for GeorgiaCarry.org and Bearden, said that he would continue with the lawsuit.

“There's no law that criminalizes s carrying a firearm into the airport. For the defendants to arrest someone for what's not a crime is a violation of their constitutional rights,” said John Monroe, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

(Published by eFluxMedia - august 12, 2008)