Have you read the "Prominent? Citizens?" blog? Apparently the Liberty Sheriff's Office could use some help in the leadership area, too! Better yet, lets just handle it like we are living in the Wild (East) West. That seems to be where Hinesville/Liberty County is headed. And by the way, why not release names of suspects, some more of those "Prominent? Citizens?" ??????

I'm not sure what you mean about handling these incidents like we are living in the Wild West but publishing the names of our "Prominent Citizens". Good idea. Let's publish their addresses too.

On a related note, I urge everyone to call Governor Purdue's office and ask him to sign HB 89 as soon as possible.

What seems most ludicrous in this diatribe is the fact that you are supporting mandatory gun ownership in every household that qualifies? Who would determine if I conscientiously objected because I hypothetically have children under the age of let's say 8 years old and they may accidently shoot themselves or their friends if the gun is accidently left unsecured? Who would decide what terms would qualify as a conscientious objector? Did we not go through that dilemma during the Vietnam Draft years? Have I not read so many stories of gun ownership in homes of children who accidently "play" with the weapon and shoot their friends? There are plenty of laws that allow those who choose to own guns in their home to apply for the proper permits even if one is desired to be concealed on their person in self defense. To put the law in terms of a mandatory right seems pointless in terms of choice (ie. the ideology of personal rights to be exercised or not depending on the citizen's choice has been negated with a legislated mandate.) How much paperwork would I have to fill out to be exempt from having a dangerous weapon in my home that may be used against me in the case of an intruder? That has also be the subject of several sad stories! Can we just leave well enough alone? If you want a gun then apply for the permits and take the responsibility of gun ownership in your home or on your person. I personally do not want a gun in my home and do not feel that I should have to explain to the legislators or policy makers why I choose not to! Are our names going on a list of noncompliers?

MsGenuine didn't do her homework. The statute is clearly stated in the opening post which include a plethora of exemptions to "mandatory" gun ownership in the City of Kennesaw. In fact, there has never been anyone in that city cited for failure to comply for any reason. That being said, not even the biggest milquetoast can argue the success of that law. Their population exploded while their crime rate remains next to nothing.

Don't forget...

When second count, the police are only minutes away.

Sam, if "exemptions" to mandatory laws are required then if you do not file for an exemption and do not own a gun... then surely the logic would follow that one would have to be punished for not obeying the law! What you are saying about no citations issued leaves the entire statute mute as unenforceable! If that is the case, why create an unenforceable statute in the first place? I do not want a law that mandates me to do anything requiring gun ownership period. And as for homework, I am not interested in reading a plethora of detail regarding "exemptions" I feel are intruding on my liberties to have free choice in this country. Supporting mandates for gun ownership is taking away choices PERIOD. We are all grown ups and can choose whether to own a gun or not... WHY in the WORLD do we need a law requiring us to have one in our household? I do not need BIG BROTHER checking on my gun ownership status either. You glossed over my valid points regarding more unnecessary paperwork for filing exemptions, who determines what the valid criteria will be for granting exemptions (more BIG BROTHER?) not to mention... the intruder may be only seconds away from using my gun against me in an assault... not leaving me any precious seconds left to pick up my cell phone programmed to speed dial 911 for help! I do not live in fear, Sam. I believe in Guardian Angels who will protect me in my time of need. We all have differing views on gun ownership... my OPINION is it is a second amendment right, why do we need a mandatory law to enforce a constitutional right we already are granted? Isn't it a loss of liberty if we can not choose without the bureacratic exemption awards ceremony? In addition, one can not argue gun ownership as a isolated variable in crime statistics analysis. One isolated variable does not necessary have a cause and effect relationship in forming such analysis, Scientific Investigation and Conclusions 101, Kind Sir!! Some totally extraneous variable may be in play that has not even been consider in the debate, as of yet that is!!

It is a Second Amendment right, Georgia and Federal restrictions be damned. You also have the right not to be armed for whatever reason you choose. I, however, refuse to be a statistic and not leave my fate to guardian angels. I played by the rules (this time) and have a permit issued by the State of Georgia and I will carry everywhere I go; again, Georgia restrictions like the Jim Crowe era "public gathering clause" be damned.

It's the Christian thing to protect my family and friends. "He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'" -- Luke 22:36

I repeat my earlier quote, "when seconds count, the police are only minutes away".

Well, then we finally agree that you have the right and choice to have a gun and you can exercise those rights and choices. I do agree that the "public gathering clause" is crap. I ran into that with a open view carrying law in North Dakota. My husband believes as you do, it is his right to carry a gun period. In North Dakota he did carry a weapon every day every minute and one time it was crucial he did when a neighbor's pit bull tried to attack me in my yard while reading a newspaper. Since my husband was a sniper in the US Army, the dog did not stand a chance. One bullet, one kill. Dead dog. So I do see your point. I just don't believe in governmental mandates such as the one you supported in your commentary. He also was cited for carrying at a public gathering, which our attorneys said that can be interpreted as pretty much anywhere humans wander. So the law is vague and deceptive. You really don't have the right to carry open view. The restrictions of "public gathering" in fact strips that constitutional right. I do believe in the second amendment no exemptions.