State Senate panel recommends penalties, incentives to promote safe firearm storage
A Georgia Senate study committee has proposed legislation providing civil and criminal penalties for parents or caregivers who allow children access to a loaded firearm and lowering insurance premiums for homeowners who buy safe storage devices such as trigger locks or gun safes.
File Photo: Tom SeegmuellerBy Dave Williams
Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA — State lawmakers exploring ways to foster safe firearm storage in Georgia have recommended a carrot-and-stick approach to an issue that has taken on greater urgency since September’s mass school shooting in Barrow County.
A Georgia Senate study committee proposed legislation providing civil and criminal penalties for parents or caregivers who allow children access to a loaded firearm and lowering insurance premiums for homeowners who buy safe storage devices such as trigger locks or gun safes.
“Having laws like this on the books is critical to us curbing this senseless act of gun violence,” Sen. Emanuel Jones, the committee’s chairman, said.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who presides over the Senate, created the Senate Study Committee on Safe Firearm Storage last March, but several of the panel’s meetings have taken place since two students and two teachers were shot to death at Apalachee High School near Winder in September.
Another student was arrested at the scene and charged with the murders, while his father, Colin Gray, also faces criminal charges for allegedly letting his son possess the AR-15 style rifle used in the killings. The two were indicted last month and are due to be arraigned next week.
The study committee also is recommending creating a director position inside state government to coordinate training and technical assistance to schools looking to create a safe and secure environment, review schools’ emergency operations plans, and produce educational materials on safe firearm storage. Jones said the position could be created within the governor’s office without the need for legislation.
The panel also suggested the General Assembly pass legislation requiring a 10-day waiting period before purchasing an assault rifle, unless the buyer has a state-issued license to carry firearms.
“Sometimes in those 10 days, cooler heads can prevail,” Jones said.
The study committee’s recommendations will be forwarded to the full Senate to consider during the legislative session starting in January,
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