Atlanta Allows Guns in Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

[spin]

Last Updated On: 12/10/2010 10:17:12 AM

ATLANTA -- The mayor doesn't like it, but the city is no longer stopping people with legal weapon permits from carrying their weapons into Hartsfield-Jackson airport.

"The fact of the matter is, we're complying with state law, so it's not something where we had a choice," said Mayor Kasim Reed.

The city quietly changed its enforcement after attorneys re-read a state law enacted this year. SB 308 eases restrictions on weapons in public places.

***snip***

For a couple of years, the Atlanta airport has been a symbolic battleground, pitting Second Amendment purists against those who feel only police officers should legally carry weapons inside the airport.

***snip***

It turns out the city now interprets the language in SB 308 to also allow permit-holding gun owners to carry in the airport.

"It's a good day," said Henry.
http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.aspx?storyid=167490

An earlier report:

Firearms Allowed at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
Posted May 4th 2010 01:43 PM

Lawmakers in Georgia have approved a bill that would allow gun owners to carry licensed firearms in parts of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

USA Today reported the airport strongly opposes the bill, which would permit the carrying of firearms in areas not controlled by the federal government, such as terminals, drop off and pick up areas, baggage areas, and parking lots.

The legislation expands on a law passed in 2008 that allows Georgia residents with firearm licenses to bring concealed weapons into public places such as parks and recreational areas, restaurants, and onto public transportation.
http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/05/04/atlanta-airport-firearms-bill/

[Glassunion]

1. AAAAHHHHHH!!!! The sky is falling!!! The sky IS FALLING!!!!

Oh... Wait. Nevermind. This really means nothing, and I can do this now in my local international airport and always have been. Never been an issue.

[spin]

2. Exactly. (n/t)

[Kennah]

5. Not true

That's not the sky falling, it's rain. Heh, this is Washington. That sorta thing almost NEVER happens.

Now if the s-word starts falling, that's a reason to worry.

[oneshooter]

3. Been the rule here in Texas for 15 years. No trouble,

no blood on the runway, no gufights at the check in counter. Nothing.
Taking my son to Houston Inter. this afternoon, Will be wearing a SIG 220.

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[Glassunion]

6. I carry mine when I pickup and drop off at Philly International..

I've never had the sudden urge to go on a shooting spree. Even when getting literally yelled at by a TSA agent for stopping too close to a no stopping section of where you drop off passengers. I stopped two feet in front of the "red" zone, not in it. You would have thought I ran over his foot the way he was reacting. He even shoved his little plastic badge in my face and threatened to detain me. If he did, we would have had fun... Imagine detaining a guy who's name matches one on the terruh list carrying a firearm. They would have closed the airport.

Nice guy.

[X_Digger]

4. Where's our resident Atlanta native to tell us 'teh blud, eet weeill floooohw'? n/t