Recent GA State Law Does Not Override Airport Policy

A challenge of a September US District Court ruling was turned down in Federal Appeals Court last week, denying firearms owners the right to carry guns at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL).

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the appeal was brought by Rep. Timothy Bearden (R-GA) and gun rights group GeorgiaCarry.org, contending that a law passed and enacted in the state last year overrode the airport's policy of prohibiting firearms, even in non-secure areas. The law permits owners of licensed firearms to possess guns in parks, restaurants, and on public transportation.

Senior US District Judge Marvin Shoob ruled last September that public transit systems and airports aren't the same and dismissed the case. Last week, the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals supported the original ruling, calling arguments voiced by Bearden and GeorgiaCarry.org "meritless."

ATL airport manager Benjamin DeCosta pronounced the airport a "gun-free" zone and said, "We are pleased … that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will continue to remain a safe, secure, gun-free environment for its 90 million passengers a year."

A statement released by Jonathan Lowy of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence said the court's ruling was "right on the law and sound policy."

As the author of the recent gun law, Bearden was disappointed. "I know what the legislative intent was. We will either continue to handle this through the judiciary process ... or we could just go ahead and fix this legislatively and spell it out."

His rewrite of the state gun law in question has already been introduced for consideration, and could come to a vote before the General Assembly next year.

FMI: www.ca11.uscourts.gov, www.georgiacarry.org