Mass shooting in Texas spurs some Georgia democrats to call for ‘common sense’ gun control

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Speak of gun management in Georgia can flip controversial and political fairly rapidly. However following a mass capturing at as college in Texas, a number of democratic lawmakers mentioned widespread sense gun measures are nonetheless wanted within the Peach State and they’ll attempt once more to deliver up the difficulty within the subsequent legislative session.

“One of many unhappy issues is I didn’t have to organize a lot for remarks for this (press) occasion as a result of the very fact is we’ve been right here many occasions earlier than,” mentioned State Sen. Michelle Au who can also be a doctor. “And right now we’re speaking concerning the very American epidemic of gun violence once more. We’re speaking about harmless lives misplaced on this brutally environment friendly manner that outcomes from quick access to weapons.”

Au was joined by one other democratic lawmaker, State Rep. Sam Park and two males who spoke firsthand concerning the results of mass shootings. Each misplaced family members within the capturing that killed 8 girls at a therapeutic massage parlor in Atlanta in March 2021.

“So, gun violence is a private subject for me,” mentioned Robert Petersen. “Gun violence is the explanation my mom and seven different victims aren’t right here with right now to get pleasure from their lives and households. The gunman who murdered my mom was capable of acquire a gun the identical day he determined to hold out his crime throughout two counties.”

Michael Webb says his spouse was killed within the Atlanta mass capturing final yr.

“Let me be clear, I’m a gun proprietor and I’m a hunter, I assist our rights to personal a firearm, however I additionally assist widespread sense gun management and gun security,” Webb mentioned.

“We can’t stay silent simply because the vocal minority will try to drown out these of us who communicate out about weapons,” mentioned Webb. “Cease already with the ideas and prayers after every bloodbath. Gov. Kemp and Georgia chief must do one thing.”

Au says within the wake of the Atlanta capturing that it’s acceptable to ask what Kemp has performed to guard Georgians. “Completely nothing,” she mentioned.

Democrats are blasting Kemp for signing the regulation that enables Georgians to hold a hid handgun in public with out a allow.

“So the governor signed this invoice into regulation regardless of opposition from 70% of Georgians,” Au mentioned.

She mentioned state GOP state leaders have to reply for letting Georgians down.

State Rep. Ron Stephens is only one of many Republicans who voted for what’s generally known as the ‘permitless’ carry regulation.

“No, there’s no apologies in any respect for that, I stand behind it and I consider folks ought to have the ability to shield themselves,” Stephens mentioned.

Stephens says prior to now legislatie session, republicans poured cash into psychological well being companies which he says is usually the reason for mass shootings.

“And that’s the place we have to focus our consideration is on the psychological well being facet, not a knee jerk response to exit to all people’s home and confiscate their weapons, we’re not Russia but and we’re not going to do this,” Stephens mentioned.

The democrats say they don’t wish to take anybody’s weapons, they simply need widespread measures issues like a extra in depth system for background checks and a ready interval to purchase a gun.

“I do know from our standpoint we aren’t going to surrender,” mentioned Au. “As a result of the surroundings round gun security is altering and with every successive tragedy, I believe we’re going to create an surroundings the place we’re going to demand that our least begin to have this dialog in public about a minimum of passing or discussing widespread sense gun security laws.”