Legislative Alert/URGENT: Immediate Action Needed

Gun Control Warning Issued for Georgia

Atlanta
Wednesday, January 26, 2000
–
Citizens for Safe Government, Inc. (CSG), the largest gun owners
association based in Georgia, has issued a statewide gun control warning,
effective immediately.

The action followed a signal yesterday that Gov. Roy Barnes is backing SB
308, the “Lock Away Your Gun” bill being pushed by Sen. David Scott
(D-Atlanta).

The Governor’s floor leader, Sen. Charlie Tanksley (R-Marietta), has
signaled Mr. Barnes’ support by signing on as a co-sponsor to SB 308.

The latest head-count shows Mr. Scott now has enough votes to pass SB 308
through the full Senate. But it’s not clear whether the bill can pass the
Senate Public Safety Committee and reach the floor.

Pressure on the senators by gun owners forced Mr. Scott to pull SB 308 from
the agenda before a scheduled committee hearing Monday. In response, the
Atlanta Constitution newspaper yesterday blasted the gun lobby in an
editorial barrage aimed at giving cover to Gov. Barnes.

The next Senate Public Safety Committee meeting is scheduled for tomorrow
afternoon.

It’s crucial that you act immediately to help keep the pressure on the
committee.
–
Action Items

1. Contact the office Senate Public Safety Committee Chairman Rooney Bowen
and urge him to give a full and fair hearing to the concerns of gun owners
about the “Lock Away Your Gun” scheme. Mr. Bowen voted for “Lock Away Your
Gun” when it passed the Senate in 1998, and Monday he tried to slip SB 308
through committee on short notice:

Rooney Bowen (D-Cordele)
Capitol office: phone 404-656-7580, fax 404-651-6767
Home office: phone 912-273-4531, fax 912-273-9565

2. Fax, e-mail, or phone a member of the Senate Public Safety Committee
right away and tell them you oppose this anti-gun scheme. If you’re not in
their district, contact the one who lives closest to you, or pick one at
random.

Two members deserve special attention: Mr. Streat, who voted for “Lock Away
Your Gun” when it passed the Senate in 1998, and Mr. Thomas, who’s signed
on as a co-sponsor to SB 308.

Georgia Senate Public Safety Committee Members

Name, hometown, phone/fax, e-mail

Van Streat (D-Nicholls) 404-656-9218/656-6579 [email protected]
Gloria Butler (D-Clarkston) 404-463-8057/463-7876 [email protected]
Joey Brush (R-Appling) 404-657-0406/657-0797 [email protected]
Bob Guhl (R-Social Circle) 404-656-0150/651-6767
Daniel Lee (D-LaGrange) 404-463-8052 [email protected]
Michael Meyer von Bremen (D-Albany) 404-656-0037 [email protected]
Don Thomas (R-Dalton) 404-656-6436/657-7081

Cut ‘n’ Send
–
Dear Senator ______________________________________

I’m disappointed that Sen. David Scott (D-Atlanta) is pushing SB 308 which
is another “Lock Away Your Gun” bill.

Anti-gunners haven’t been able to ban guns, so they’ve got a new scheme:
they want to make it so they’re not worth owning.

They want to force people to lock up their guns so they’re not ready for
self-defense. People who don’t could get in trouble.

I don’t want anti-gun local officials or police deciding how I should keep
my gun. If it’s not kept the way they see fit under this vague law, they
could confiscate my gun and arrest me.

Please work to defeat SB 308 or any “Lock Away Your Gun” legislation. And
let me know what you’re doing about this.

Sincerely, ________________________________________