ATLANTA – A senator from New Jersey has introduced legislation he says was prompted by a bill the Georgia General Assembly passed.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., introduced the “Firearm-Free Airports Act” that would ban anyone except law enforcement personnel from “carrying firearms into commercial airports nationwide.” Lautenberg filed his legislation in response to a bill that is now awaiting Gov. Sonny Perdue’s signature or veto.
“In the post-9/11 world, it simply defies common sense that it would be legal to carry a gun into an airport,” Lautenberg said in a news release. “Our airports face threats every day and allowing someone to walk into a major airport with a loaded gun is a recipe for disaster. My legislation will ban guns in airports and make air travel more safe and secure.”
Proponents of the Georgia bill say it clarifies a provision banning guns from a particular area wouldn’t necessarily stop terrorists from breaking the law.
“Posting a metal sign that says ‘Gun-Free Zone’ is not going to stop a terrorist or any criminal intent on doing harm to law-abiding citizens,” The Associated Press quoted state Rep. Tim Bearden, R-Villa Rica, as saying. “And our laws that are awaiting signature by the governor pertains only to law-abiding citizens it’s their Second Amendment rights we’re trying to protect.”