Yes, let's have guns everywhere. Let's let our primary school children pack heat. Then instead of learning conflict resolution and working well with others they can just blow each other away.

Most mass killings in the history of the US occur in so-called 'gun free zones'. Gun free zones don't work as criminals don't care about the law. All churches are private property and as stated, should be able to establish a policy on their own regarding whether they allow gun possession on their grounds. If someone is planning on killing and making a NAME for themselves, what better place then one where no one is able to shoot back! Allow law-biding citizens to carry and you will see less mass shootings. Guns don't kill people, people do and eliminating gun ownership will only empower the criminal, as they will always have access. Train people to properly use, store and carry a gun, and you will see gun violence go down. Some legislators in congress appear to not actually want to resolve this problem. For them, it is all about an increase in power resulting in less freedom for us. Take churches out of the equation.

I want to have just as much of a chance to defend myself and my family from criminals as they have when trying to rob, rape and murder. Criminals gt to take their guns wherever they want so why can't I, a registered law abiding concealed weapons carrier? I never want my last thought to be, "Maybe my family would be alive if I only had my gun on me and not in my car"

I support both of these bills. It is simple common sense. Criminals don't care about legal restrictions on guns and law abiding gun owners aren't a danger.

Every church should decide who, what can come on their property w/ or without a gun, it is interesting how people will holler separate church and state, but then here comes the intrusion from the state, even though I realize that there is already a bill that says you CANNOT take into a house of worship. We may be surprised how many women have handguns in their purses at church and how many men have one under their coat jacket already. I've been in church with a federal marshal and He always was packing and sit in the back, I sorda liked the idea of having some protection--I remember when many many years ago, someone with a gun went into MLK's church in Atlanta and killed some folks, only to mention that incident to say, we can't stop mentally ill from killing the innocent and themselves, and I've been listening to see what our state and other's are going to do for the mentally ill in this state and country.

I also believe that it should be up to the individual house of worship to decide whether or not they would allow guns.

when people come on the patch and leave "crazy" sounding remarks that do nothing to help, I think that's the same people that worry me. When the Gov't takes ALL the guns away from law-abiding citizens, and there is still murder's, rape's, and etc, then what Gov't?? I'm NOT willing to EVER give our guns up to be sitting in my home, minding my business and having a mentally-ill, druggie, decide to KICK in TWO sets of doors to get inside and try to kill, harm and/or take whatever they can, we've gone through that once, without a gun in our home and a SON that was trained gun safety, we would not be able to sit here and type this, so before all you folks say NO GUNS, You need to think, who does the killings EACH and EVERYTIME?? Why can't someone like me with NO MENTAL RECORD and NO CRIMINAL RECORD NOT choose to have a gun for our families safety?? Why should my RIGHTS be taken away? I hope NONE of you go through what we did, but it sheds another light on what Drug users, and the mentally ill will DO to get what they want!! I WILL GO TO JAIL ONE DAY, I'm sure for NOT GIVING UP MY GUNS, I have had ONE Speeding ticket and have been driving for over 40 years, there is no reason, I should be fighting for my 2nd admendment rights in this country!!! FIX THE PROBLEM, PUT THE MENTALLY ILL FOLKS in places they can get help with their illness's/ let us well, good-citizens alone. Quit grouping all people together in this country!

Schools ARE gun free zones
How could anyone get shot in a gun free zone???

Oh you mean criminals ignore laws?????

Since mentally unstable nutjobs are going to bring guns to gun free zones. Shouldn't honest law abiding people be able to as well to defend themselves?

Go to YouTube and watch " the absurdity of gun free zones"

I can't improve on what many have said here other than...."when seconds count the police are minutes away".

Badgergirl: This is NOT intended to be rude. I would like to know what experience you have had at trying to reason with a sick individual that is pointing a gun at you, how do you resolute conflict strategies at that moment? People that are going to harm, kill, rape, rob you are NOT interested in what their victims say, they have to get up the courage, or take some drugs, or they are a sick individual(s)-so usually they are "hyped" up to do the crime in the first place, this is NOT the time to negoiate, that is why they need to be preventive measures in place for these folks, whether it be hospitals, under doctor care, but MOST insurances don't pay, and if the police take them in, they will usually keep them at a average 72 hours and let them out again. Families in this STATE, COUNTRY, do not have any support from OUR GOV'T for this on-going problem, and one that is the base of 99.9% of the mass shootings, so yea, take our guns away give us no protection, and let's see where it goes, I can pretty well predict--There will still be mass murders, killings, cause the GOV'T is too stubborn and ignorant to fix the problem where it begans, I'm not WILLING to give up my rights as a GOOD CITIZEN-I would hope the preachers of the land would ALL have guns, good chance as they stand at the pulpit to see who comes through the door trying to cause havoc, and the mental ill will think, no one down at the church will have a gun, that's where I'll go to rob!! "HERES YOUR SIGN"

Private property rights should trump all. Why the government feels like they have a right to tell a church what it can and cannot do when it comes to allowing other rights to be exercised on their private property is well beyond my comprehension.

Separation of church and state, except in cases where the government doesn't have to?

I hope the Georgia assembly passes these common sense laws.

The only place that should be a citizen gun free zone are jails and prisons. Why do Government buildings have metal detectors? Are those people more apt to get shot than others who are in church or school? I don't think anymore than somewhere else when an individual that has an agenda to kill people. Especially in Gun Free Zones. Makes an easy target for these maniacs.

If the state is going to mandate gun free zones, then they should be held accountable for protecting said zones. Gun free zones should only be allowed if the government provides adequate protection for those within the zones where citizens cannot protect themselves, like courtrooms and other government buildings are. We've seen here in Atlanta that courtrooms aren't always protected but at least there were armed people to limit the carnage.

Gun free zones haven't worked well, have they? Why keep blaming law abiding gun owners for the effects of bad laws? Looks like the Georgia legislature is getting rid of the bad laws, thanks.

I don't like to second guess anyone, but when people put off the wall remarks that have nothing to do with the original question-which drives me crazy. I don't call other's names on this blog, I might think of a few names to call them, but I don't come out and say rude things, and it seems that's the way most of the blogs work, the ones that don't has people calling negative and derogatory names--I don't see that as a help to some of our major problems out there, and I consider tyring to take my guns, where I take my guns too a huge problem. We work hard, we purchased the guns, we are permitted to carry them, and we have NOT committed any crimes, I don't like to be called names because I'm a believe of Christ, I don't call atheist/agnostic people names-what happen to respect of others? We have a leader in Washington that respects nothing, and "I" believe alot of people's thoughts and comments stem from what they see and hear from the top. The founding Father's wrote the 2nd admendment to protect us from our own Government, they were such smart men, and they were patriots, and they were NOT fakes!! They were true leaders and lead from their hearts and their brains, unlike what we have now, some common sense would be appreciated.

The First Amendment states "Freedom OF Religion", not Freedom FROM Religion. That means we, as Americans, have the right to worship as we please, and so do you. If you choose not to - that is your choice, but do not infringe upon our rights. THAT is what the Founding Fathers had in mind - because at time, the English Kings/Queens were forcing their personal beliefs on their people. It started with King Henry VIII and continued through his daughter Queen (Bloody) Mary. Englishmen were being killed for being the wrong religion. Thankfully, Elizabeth I stopped the practice as she saw it was divisive to her England. Our Govt seems to want divisiveness for it is in everything they do. Taking away our right to bare arms is just another way to remove our freedoms. The Constitution must prevail for without it, we are subject to the whims of our leaders, just as England was in the time of King Henry and Bloody Mary.

It's too easy to get a carry permit in Georgia. Not complaining because I have one, am mentally stable and have common sense. There should be a requirement for a required classroom safety instruction and basic shooting. Churches being private property should decide if members could carry and not the government.

Last I heard, churches and schools were gun free zones. Funny thing about criminals is they don't care! If they did they would be law abiding citizens. They know that it will take 5 years to get a conviction even with 20 eyewitnesses and that most will get parole in 15-20 years because our prison system is overwhelmed. So I am just supposed to sit in a church and worship peacefully or got to school and get an education until some crazy person with a gun decides to take out HIS gun and shoot everyone. My gun might be in the car but I wouldn't be able to get to it. So we all just have to give up and die, without being given a fighting chanace? But that scenario would never happen because criminals would never think of taking a gun where it would be illegal. Oh and how do we make sure that no guns will be brought into those places? No LAW has stopped them yet.

Guns everywhere. I was in a Church not too long ago and a "questionable" person entered the Chapel. If he had bad intentions, he could have taken many people out by entering the rear doors and all our backs to him. It really scared the preacher! The last thing I would ever want to do is shoot someone, but I WILL protect my family.

The bad guys will carry where they want anyway. This bill is about having protection in place in case of some tragedy. Children won't be packing heat (legally) this is about those of us who have a Georgia Carry LIcense already and have them with us most everywhere else. If I had been in Sandy Hook when that guy came in, I certainly would have used my gun (had I been allowed to carry one) to defend the innocent souls that were lost that day, as would most of us who already carry legally.

I disagree 100% Better trained gun carrying officers. Have better professionally trained counselors in many areas. It is understandable that a principal having a gun locked up inside his/her office, so that others can't get their hands on it. But for other faculty/staff members to have guns on their persons is only asking for more problems. A staff member at anytime could be over powered by another staff member or student and taken. The other senario is: if a female teacher carries a hand bag, let's say she puts her gun in there. It would again is easy accessed by others. Another note on that topic: Let's say, teacher puts keys in purse..someone removes those keys and upon that sneaks outside to the staff parking area and retrieves gun from staff members car. There is a better way of dealing with people that bring guns on to campus with the intend to use, than adding more guns onto campus. I would personally would have to withdrawal my children from any school that feels they need more guns in school. More guns in service at various places isn't going to save lives, it will be people working together with better education on strategies in case of emergencies as they would train all on tornado drills
. I am a mother of a child that was killed by the use of a gun, by someone that has permit to carry a gun. Churches if they feel the needs, then hire a trained gun carrying officer. We are talking where people of all ages attend. Better awareness and strategies put in play.

Oh before I leave my above comment hanging..just so you will know, I am not against having guns and permits. Everyone knows that mentally challenged can get their hands on guns, children can get their hands on guns as well as those intending on committing a crime. Those are the groups that all people need more teaching, training and strategies on how to keep guns out their hands.

Is JamesMichael deleting his comments or are they getting reported? Just wondering, He makes very disparing and rude remarks and then boom, they're gone!
Oh well...Wanda Harbert Saxon: I'm very sorry for your loss of your child. I wish that we lived in a country that we would NEVER hear of a child (or anyone) would die from SOMEONE using a gun incorrectly, I guess that's a dream of mine. I wish we could better trained counselors, but unfortunately, I believe these things always happen at times when NO one is suspecting, and we all want it to be different, but again, and I don't know what happened with your personal situation, but most, no ALL of the mass killings are always at the hand of a very mentally ill or Unstable person, and I wish our GOV'T would take responsibility for helping these families, I know of several families that have an adult Child living in their home, and they beg for help, they cannot afford the soaring cost of insurance, and usually something happens, and they will call 911/ and the agencies are required to keep them for 72 hours and do test, and then that's the end of that, until The Gov't will send help to these families I do NOT believe there will ever be enough laws, rules, about guns. You see very little of anyone that is an abiding, gun-toting citizen causing the problem, but yet more laws for us ( I am a gun-toter, law-abiding citizen) I'm so frustrated of having to pay the price for THUGS, ROBBERS, RAPIST, etc. don't have answers.

I really need to move. I never knew there were so many people feeling threatened in their everyday lives. Personally, I don't want to go to church nor do I want my children going to school with a bunch of gun-toting would-be heroes.

Everyone views themselves as a hero. There are as many people with carry permits who shouldn't have a permit as there are those who are probably safe to carry. I have a nephew with one who swings his gun all around as if its a cigarette so don't tell me that people with carry permits are aware of their responsibilities.

We lived in Europe for a number of years. There was not this proliferation of guns there. No one thought the government was coming to take something away from them. None of the gun crimes you see here nor was there the overwhelming sense that you need a gun for protection from "the crazies." We've found we don't go out as much here because of the number of guns floating around. Guns might not kill people but the ease of availability certainly does.

JB- Do you have knives or hammers at your house? More knives and hammers killed more people last year than guns. Comparing our lives to those in Europe that now pay 75% of income in taxes, well that's not encouraging at all. Do you think where you shop (grocery store, Target, Walmart) that there is a major percentage of people that do have a gun on them? As a woman, you think I really want to tote a gun with my make up? It was never a dream of mine or a wish. However, if I go to a store at night, I better be prepared even in West Cobb for some lunatic that might want to grab my purse, my keys to car-jack my car. You don't think these things happen, well there is crime all around, just last week the Cobb Precient on Dallas Hwy. sent out an update on recent break-in's, main problem is people walking around with back packs breaking in cars around Bullard Rd, Old Lost Mtn Road, my aunt's car got stolen at Kohl's in Hiram, as she was walking to it, the thugs starred her down and jumped it, (they were already in it) and took off. I know someone that was accosted at the Publix in P.S. ( I will not go there) parking lot to get them money from the ATM, and they pretended (we'll never know) to have a gun. I NEVER thought I would have a home invasion, I live in a nice neighborhood off Casteel/Friendship road area, but WE did,,,as I said before A GUN SAVED MY LIFE, I'll never leave it behind again.

The reason people think we may have our guns taken away, is because the Government officials have hinted at such a thing. One example: Gov. Komo from NY about 3 weeks ago said FIRST, He would send officers door to door if He had too, of course He retracted that..I just read two days ago, that some officials in Mo. were considering taking action and go door to door to take weapons from citizens, don't never discount our guns being taken away, if its talked about too much, it might just happen. The ease of availability will never go away from Thugs, why doesn't illegal drugs and marijuana go away? Because there is a market for it, and as long as thugs or sicko's will pay the price there will be guns, more rules, more regulations, more policies, more control is only for us that mind the rules and WE'RE NOT THE ONES TO BE WORRIED ABOUT. You talked about your nephew swinging around a gun, yes I would be worried about him too, I have nephews, nieces, brother-in-law's and etc friends and I have never heard of such a thing, or witnessed someone doing that, that's insane, and you made my point, about people who are sick do not need guns. You or someone in your family need to take his gun away or report him, He is being very dangerous and irresponsible and if He is doing that in front of others, then He is being an danger to others and that's against the law, and never should be able to renew his permit.

Europeans don't understand Americans. I have Canadian cousins too, and they don't get it either. It is about FREEDOM and our rights as citizens. We will not allow these rights to be taken away. The old saying is, 'give them an inch and they'll take a mile'. That is our govt. We cannot give them an inch. We will be opening the door for further, future tyranny - and don't think it can't happen. Private citizens have the right to bare arms, period. Then leave it to the states to govern - not the Feds. Keep them out of it!

For the record: I'm NOT a hero, never been one, never will be....I LOVE my family and will protect them if it becomes necessary and I pray it never comes necessary. I know for a fact the people that carry guns in my family and/or friends do not consider themselves a hero, hasn't even been talked about. One thing they do get is respect and they don't get messed with, which is a good thing. Maybe its time for more Americans to stand up against robbers, drug addicts, rapist-maybe SOME OF US are tired of being bullied as an adult by these type thugs and then we have the mentally ill, WHY don't people use their energy to email, call, write their senators, congressman about helping these type of people in our country?? Its a disgrace, that we will not do such a thing. To say people think they are hero's, and act as if good people are the problem is very insulting to me, I'm NO PROBLEM to the local, state or Fed officials, NEVER. Why should we keep having to pay for all the problems, ITS TIME THE PROBLEMS GET FIXED!! Another example: I've been driving for over 41 years, NOW for the FIRST TIME, I have to not only carry my ID, BUT NOW after 41 years, I HAVE TO PROVE I'm a citizen, which I will, but again having to pay for those that break the law! I've owned a business in this county for over 30 plus years, FIRST TIME, THIS YEAR-I have to go in PERSON, can't do by mail, TO AGAIN PROVE WHO I AM, because of law-breakers, where does it end for the good people??

Gun-free zones = Victim disarmament zones

Let's just return to the good old days: We can reinstitute hitching posts for our horses and wagons; travel by stagecoach; the good guys will wear white hats and the bad guys will wear black ones; if you have a dispute with a neighbor you can settle the matter with six-shooters in the middle of the street at high noon. I suspect that many of those responding here would like to be the heroes in their own movies where a black hat bank robber tries to take the women-folk hostage following a bank robbery. While I am dismayed by the mayhem caused by guns in the hands of criminals, the mentally ill, or those caught in the passion of an angry moment, I'm scared to death of a bunch of untrained "militia"-minded folks carrying concealed weapons in public and making knee-jerk decisions about situations they deem to be threatening. In my movie, I'm in a public place stuck in the crossfire between several self-appointed "deputies" reacting to a perceived danger. And we thought John Wayne was dead.

What would Jesus do??

Some of you are carrying this idea way too far. As Melinda keeps saying, most of us who do carry have been doing it for years, we're normal everyday folks. I spend a lot of time at the gun range, I know how to handle the weapon and I am very accurate with it. I have a lot of family who are law enforcement including my father and they all say, they wish more of us concealed carry. We're not a bunch of militia or want to be cowboys. I never pull my gun or show it to anyone, it's there for protection against mentally crazy people or those just wishing to take advantage of unarmed citizens. There are a few people who legally carry that shouldn't but those are few and far between. Those of us who carry and are safe with it don't make the news for a reason and that's most of those people with concealed carry. You'd be surprised by how many regular folks around you in Wal-Mart, Kroger, on the SIlver Comet Trail or in McDonalds have a weapon somewhere on us. Go to a local gun range and see all the "regular" people who are shooting witha gun, it might surprise you. I'm not against tightening regulations on concealed carry permit requirements, fine must take a gun class or get somewhat proficient in shooting before getting one. I invest my time and money in making sure I am good at it and I teach my children the same. Now I know that if I am out of town and someone breaks into my house that my wife or eiher of my two teenage daughters could safely handle a weapon.

Most of these comments supporting gun ownerships and carrying in public places are based on irrational fears---fears of others, fears of government, fears of the boogeyman--fears that are perpetuated by the gun lobby for their own greedy gains.
If you want a false sense of security by having a gun in your home for self-protection (false, because it is already proven that those guns are used more against their owners than against criminals), and believe that is your 2nd Amendment Right (it isn't but that's another whole story) then so be it and I will support that, but I definitely don't want anyone, except trained law enforcement professionals and security personnel, to be carrying guns ANYWHERE! Especially those who are paranoid and overly fearful, like many of the most vocal gun proponents I know.

Richard it's not about fear it's about common sense. I keep a fire extinquisher in my home, not because I fear a fire but because it makes sense to have one...just in case. I don't think helmet laws are a good idea, just more government regulation to protect us from ourselves BUT common sense says you should wear one when riding. The founding fathers knew that a well armed citizenship would keep any hostile government ideas at bay. Those who do not support gun ownership are the ones living in fear, I don't fear anything. Criminals would love an unarmed world where there is no fear of being surprised with a shot in the head upon breaking into a home. If you take the guns away from the law abiding citizens, then you have something to fear. All of you who just believe this will be a safer world without legal guns, are living in a la-la world. Those with intent to do bad things will have guns either way, then the rest of us will just be sitting ducks ripe for the picking. Wake up and see the reality of the world around you.

In the Old West - Wichita and Dodge City people checked their guns at the sheriff's due to significant gun violence. FYI it worked.

I have also traveled extensively including paces like China (where I have spent a lot of time) and the government just rules your every day life. God gives us common sense to use. The way to keep the peace is through security. It's not about retribution or retaliation, but if some crazed person breaks into my house starts shooting or threatening my families life, I'm not going to get down on my knees and tell him I forgive him and ask for mercy. I'm going to put a few bullets in him. God showed King David and many others how to protect themselves from enemies. God told them how to crush the enemy and save themselves. Though we never wish to hurt anyone, I hope I never have to use my gun except at a range. But if someone were even threathening you and I was around, I would defend you if I felt you were in grave danger.

Richard Pellegrino, your commenst are all completely baseless. Take this Harvard Study about gun control. This is not a study meant to support gun ownership but it does when the facts are all looked at correctly. This study was not conducted by pro-gun professors, not from Harvard anyway. http://theacru.org/acru/harvard_study_gun_control_is_counterproductive/

Nations with stringent anti-gun laws generally have substantially higher murder rates than those that do not. The study found that the nine European nations with the lowest rates of gun ownership (5,000 or fewer guns per 100,000 population) have a combined murder rate three times higher than that of the nine nations with the highest rates of gun ownership (at least 15,000 guns per 100,000 population).

It has been proven time and again that gun control or a citizenship with less guns is actually more violent. Look at Russia, they have a murder rate 4 times what the US has and they are not allowed to own guns. Hmmm, I guess you need to look at the right statistics.

In Churches, Who cares.

Anyone who pushes carrying weapons on college campuses has either never been to college or never went out to parties. Mixing this amount of young men, alcohol, and guns is the absolute STUPIDEST idea I've ever read. There will be many destroyed families if this is approved. Half will go to funerals and half will go for visitation.

Per the Constitution: The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Recover our freedoms before more are taken.

Fred & USMC Wife: Up until the recent Supreme Court decision the 2nd amendment was interpreted much differently and so it will be again when its makeup is changed.
The fact is the 2nd Amendment was originally written to protect the right of runaway slave militia to own weapons to use in their slave recovery. Check up on your history.

After a home invasion, I will NEVER lock up all my guns! Thank God we had a gun, can you imagine telling the perp to hold on, while I GO UNLOCK MY GUN SAFE?? That is not even reality in this world. How many murders have been by sane people in recent years? People put up all kind of numbers, but I live in the world and I don't need studies, NRA, Socialist Media, or whoever to tell me who is doing the shooting, the killing of innocent folks, all I got to do is open my eyes and access the situation at hand, this is NOT Einstein stuff. People who do not want law-abiding citizens to have guns are "scared" of guns, cause they have NEVER been taught the huge responsibility of owning a gun, you have to have respect for a gun, the same as having respect for an automobile, no difference. People kill, people wreck, its PEOPLE not the weapon of choice, its choices the people make, and alot of crazo folks, NO ONE even on this blog will admit to the mentally ill that do the massive shootings, when will people wake up?? I'm waiting as they talk about people like me having guns doing this and doing that, I'M NOT YOUR PROBLEM, have never been, am not, and will NEVER be. If you are scared of guns, I sure wouldn't advertise those thoughts on blogs, you are sitting you and your family up for something you might not like.

Someone needs a history lesson, did you go to school and actually study the Federalists and the Anti Federalists and what George Mason and Patrick Henry fought to have ratified time and time again. Go back and read the history of England and the many Kings, all the way back to Henry the VI. Each grasping more of the idea that a well armed populace was better for defense and civil liberties. Alexander Hamilton suggested that if the representations of the people, elected under the proposed Constitution, betrayed their constituents, the people retained the right to defend their political rights and possessed the means to do so. James Wilson wrote "That the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and their own State or the United States, or for the purpose of killing game; and no law shall be passed disarming the people or any of them unless for crimes committed, or real danger of public injury from individuals." There are countless quotes I can give you and historical records I can point you to for further clarification of the meaning of the 2nd Amendment. I also have 37 different studies, not administered by the NRA that draw vast different conclusions to your view on violence.

Richard my two majors were constitutional law and international business. I can promise you, your interpretation of the 2nd Amendment comes from some unknown sources or very liberal think tanks who try to constantly interpret the constitution to meet their needs. The 2nd Amendment was very clear and so is the Bill of Rights. Do a little digging to find the facts on what was originally meant and you will find that most of us are right on target for it's meaning. Obviously you trust who is in power now and think our country is headed in the right direction. Please take your blind fold off. Like much of the media, your statements above are full of unverfied facts and editorialism.

Richard Pellegrino, 9:45 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013-
{{"Common sense is: more guns equals more violence."}}

Richard Pellegrino, 12:22 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013-
{{"More guns can never be the answer"}}

Here is excellent proof that more LEGALLY-OWNED guns can indeed equal less violence as there is extremely-strong evidence that the mandatory gun ownership law in the City of Kennesaw has served as a very-strong deterrent to violent crime in that community which only had 21 occurances of violent crime in 2010.

Compare those 21 occurances of violent crime in Kennesaw, where gun ownership is mandatory by law, to the 98 occurrances of violent crime in Lawrenceville and the 131 occurances of violent crime in Newnan in 2010 where gun ownership is not mandatory and the populations and distance from are similar to Kennesaw.
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/20952144/do-guns-make-georgia-cities-safer

{{"In Kennesaw, a city ordinance requires every head of household to own a gun, but does that make Kennesaw safer or more dangerous?..."}}

{{"...CBS Atlanta News compared Kennesaw to two other metro Atlanta cities, Newnan and Lawrenceville..."}}

{{"...According to the 2010 U.S. Census, all three cities are similar in population, median household income and ethnic make-up. They are also approximately the same distance from Atlanta with about the same number of police officers patrolling the streets..."}}

{{"...So which community is safer, and what role do guns play?"}}

{{"...According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report for 2010, which displayed the newest complete set of numbers, Kennesaw reported 21 violent crimes in 2010..."}}

{{"...In that same time period, Lawrenceville recorded 98 and Newnan had 131 violent crimes..."}}

{{"...Kennesaw also reported a fraction of the number of robberies, aggravated assaults and burglaries..."}}
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/20952144/do-guns-make-georgia-cities-safer

Richard Pellegrino
12:27 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

{{"And the founding fathers had no intention of everyone owning a gun in this day, especially assault type weapons, etc."}}

Actually, the Founding Fathers DID have the intention of widespread LEGAL and LAWFUL gun ownership as a way of keeping any potential tyrannical tendencies in government at bay.
Also, the Founding Fathers had the intention of widespread LEGAL and LAWFUL gun ownership because the people are the "MILITIA", hence the text "A WELL-REGULATED MILITIA BEING NECESSARY TO THE SECURITY OF A FREE STATE" that appears in the 2nd Amendment before the text "THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED".

And the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution does NOT restrict LEGAL and LAWFUL gun ownership to non "assault-type weapons" or weapons that look 'scary' to those who personally dislike firearms.

Richard Pellegrino
12:27 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

{{"but I don't want you or anyone else packing a gun in public anywhere. That is an intrusion on my liberty"}}

Mr. Pellegrino, law-abiding citizens who LEGALLY and LAWFULLY exercise their CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to carry firearms are NOT an intrusion on your liberty.
What is "an intrusion on your liberty" sir is when someone uses a firearm to illegally and unlawfully commit a violent act against you or your family.
As long as no one uses a firearm to harm you or your family it is NOT "an intrusion on your liberty", but you ARE intruding on the liberty of others when you attempt to take away or deprive them of their CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to KEEP AND BEAR ARMS as prescribed in the 2ND AMENDMENT of the U.S. CONSTITUTION.

If every city was like Kennesaw, Ga, it wouldn't be a problem-Wish I lived there!
Thank you GREG M. You write everything I would like to say, there was people in Colorado at that theater that have said publicly they wish they had not left their gun at home that night, things could have been different. I HAVE NEVER LEFT MY HOME TO THINK WELL TONIGHT, I MIGHT HAVE TO SHOOT SOMEONE, I've HAD A GUN SO MANY YEARS, that I don't think about it 24/7, and then where do these people come off telling us we're playing hero's, that's ugly talk. I am very interested in people that are around me when I leave the grocery store/and other places at night if I'm alone, and no, I don't put my gun on a trigger, I try to be aware of my surroundings, people who are sick, evil, don't care about your status if their intent is to bring harm, but we live in a time that WE MUST BE DILLIGENT in protecting ourselves and our family/property. Why does people call us names, accuse us of listening to media, to NRA, to other venues, actually its the other way around, they get all their information from liberal venues that try to scare them, AGAIN, I say over and over--WHO DOES THE KILLINGS? I can't think of one time, it was a sane person, not ever! Then usually the cowards will kill themselves after they take other's lives. I PRAY I never take another life, it would be horrible but if the choice is mine or theirs, well I hope I pull the trigger first. I don't deserve to die over a sick person's choice!!!

First of all, I believe in gun ownership. I also think it's sad that we have gotten to the point where we are talking about allowing guns in church. I accept that even well-adjusted, law-abiding citizens can snap. I honestly believe that everybody who is claiming they know all about gun safety and are a responsible gun owner are capable of having a bad day and may shoot someone. Years ago, my uncle went on a business trip. His wife had a gun. He came home early and as he entered the bedroom, his wife shot at him. Missed him, thank goodness, but accidents happen. Just accept that and move along. The only thing we need to do is ban assault weapons that are capable of shooting many people in one minute and doing background and psych checks on everybody who will have access to any gun that is purchased. That will, of course, not work for illegal weapons, but it may have stopped Adam Lanza.

I don't think SCARDY CAT PEOPLE (and especially MEN) have NO RIGHT to tell me what kind of gun I can purchase, what kind I can carry to protect myself, where I can keep it, I love that crazy JOE BIDEN YESTERDAY, He says, people should buy a shotgun for protection, well, Joe-it would be alittle hard to put in my purse, what cha' think?? Then He has body guards with high powered guns, and his wife and extended family ALL have body guards, security -I don't see them toting around shot guns, sometimes He needs to zip it!! Again, He is a master of No common sense!! Guns have never been the problem, not once just as CARS are not the problem, and Forks are not the problem for being fat either, it goes back to people and their choices, frankly I'm glad Richard doesn't like guns, apparently He wasn't raised with one and is scared like a girl, He needs to go to a range, take classes on safety, one day He could possibly save his life or a member of his family, until some of these haters come face to face with a sick person holding one on them, they will never get it, I'd rather be prepared than to be scared all my life. Sad, but true.

Richard, I've never intruded on your liberty, you are another ridiculous person in this world, but I've been in public places, yes there was a gun present, people that think like you sooner or later will get caught up in a bad situtation mark it down, cause obviously you are on a blog, that pretty represents people who obey the law, or duh would I post my name?? oh yea, I did have that ONE speeding ticket on I-285 last year, going over 55 mph near Spaghetti Junction, and the way others present themselves on this blog, I don't think none of us are your problem to worry about. Why should I have my liberties and rights taken away because people that think like you want them to be taken away?? I have a right to do, say or whatever in this world, I'm not going to bother you or anyone unless SOMEONE is trying to take my life, a family member's life, friend--why would I ever be a threat to you?? IN WHAT WAY?? You will never know what's in my purse, UNLESS you are the thug, Should I be afraid of you? How do we know you are not a rapist, robber and that's why YOU don't want us to be able to protect ourselves, we're NOT the problem, so what is your beef with us? Its the people that "want" to kill you should worry about, its not the ones such as I that just "want" to protect, we should have that right always! I hope YOU are never where I am, cause I know you wouldn't have the means to protect me even if you wanted too.

I will fight for the Constitution of The United States of America for NO changes in the Constitution and for our rights to stay in place as originally written by The Founding Fathers of this great nation. There is no man that should try to change what has been in place for hundreds of years! IT GALLS' me for people of today that think they have every right to start changing the way things were put in place for ALL OF US!Those words meant something then and NOW, and like everything else, it means nothing to so many. I LOVE this country, I am patriotic,and I'm mad that our ambassador didn't have high powered guns to kill some towel heads, our marines died cause they had RUBBER bullets, someone needs to put on their big boy pants and stop this nonsense about guns. Those precious children should NOT have died at school, again look at who did this, A MENTALLY SICK PERSON that a mom had BEGGED for help, but did she receive any help? no, all we've got from that is people hollering that we shouldn't have this or that, why don't all of you put that energy into things that count? Call, email, your rep and scream about helping families with mentally sick adult children, why should the good get more rules,laws,restrictions, while the creeps keep purchasing them on the streets, just like drugs.It will never end, The Gov't can't resolve any problems, just blah, blah, then peeps drink their kool-aid.Time liberals scream @ their leaders, AND we could work together if folks had common sense

Byron Rangitsch, don't hide it from them. Show them how to safely handle it, how to respect it and how to shoot it. All three of my children can and do safely handle weapons. They respect the danger and they know never to touch them unless needed. My 6 year old knows how to take it part and clean it and can hit a bullseye at 25 yards, 75% of the time. If you teach them right and how to handle properly as I was growing up, they don't try to sneak around and get one behind your back.

Pam J-Maybe I'm wrong, I think the thought is to "let" people in church have guns, so if someone from the "outside" would want to come in and take out many people, (like in the theater)-I don't think its in case a good person "snaps". I don't think all the hoop-la is for those "accidents" that yes occasionally happens, same as boating, car, fall at home type accidents, no one is worrying about those things, remember why and how all these conversations about mass killings got started, and this one was stemming from the mentally ill young man, Adam Lanza. However-let's say all GUNS are banned, who really believes that a person like Adam will NOT get a gun on go on a killing spree? That's NOT reality, it will still happen, just as people die from illegal drugs everyday in this country, we can't police every move of every person, but we can try at least by helping the mentally ill, that's a start, but the first move can't be to take guns from law-abiding citizens, that's NOT the basis of all the shootings, why won't anyone address this? Because the Gov't is taking our rights one by one and WON'T STOP til they take our guns too, I heard the Gov. of NYC less than 1 month ago say if He had to, He would go door to door, He quickly retracted, but fact is: He SAID IT, and HE MEANT it, those words are scary, and they are fighting words to me, to say HE WILL TAKE anything! 1 reason enough to get me all fired up! NO, Gov't can't come and take anything, they are MINE!

No! Guns should not be allowed in Churches, Mosques, Temples, Gurdwaras and college campuses.

whosoever killed a person, it shall be as if he had killed all of mankind. (Quran 5:33)

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:17-18)

The world needs peace, love and brotherhood. The world needs an end to wars. Instead of walls of hatred being erected we need peace to prevail and for this to occur people of all faiths must join together.

Humanityfirst: As much as I can, I agree w/you. How would you have handled the man that broke in our home as we were at home? He broke down an outside door to get on our back porch, then broke two more French doors to come in, my son is yelling for the intruder to leave, He kept coming anyway. He had a weapon and He had a crowbar or something similar, and He kept coming til He turned the corner and saw our gun, then and only then, did He turn and ran away, The Police chewed us out for not firing away, I'm glad we didn't have to unleash, but then again, He got away free as a bird, after bringing havoc to our home. Who knows who else He has continue to scare and still from. Of course, the world needs peace, love, and brotherhood, how do you convey that message to an attacker at that moment? We didn't deserve for our home to be damaged and OUR LIVES to be threatened, so yes I agree w/you, but that isn't reality in times like this. I didn't hate that man, but I did and still do HATE what He did to our family, I still find myself looking out my back door just to check the yard, We have added many other security features, having a gun close by is just ONE feature, no one will come in my home again and be able to flee, we'll leave it at that, that's not hate, its a choice we've made to protect our family and our property that we've worked hard for. There is warning signs, so it will be their choice too. Please think through and use common sense for all people.

Hamanityfirst: I don't know if you are a man/woman since you have a nickname, but if you have a family, you are trying to convince all of us that you would just sit there, stand there and let your family be threatened, harmed, killed, and your property be dis-respected and damaged and just watched? You would give them the okay, cause the world needs love, so you just gonna do nothing? You would NOT protect your family or yourself?? Seriously? HHMM, I really don't believe you, but I guess you could grab some green bean/corn cans in the cabinet and throw them, or maybe get that old mop and start trying to beat them off, I'm sure this might make the perp really mad and could escalate them into doing something really bad. You know its really easy to say what we should do, if you haven't walked in our shoes, I thought I knew exactly what I'd do,until it happened, I didn't know, but NOW YOU or 1000 more can NEVER tell me what I should be doing. In general, I love people, I help and volunteer wherever I can, you are preaching to the choir really, and again people like me are NOT the problem. I would be the one to help you if a perp shoplifted from you at Walmart, I would be the one that would go after them, when they grab a purse off a ladies shoulder at Publix, I would have helped that lady on the Silver Comet Trail that was attacked a few years ago, talking about a hero, she died at the hands of a freak, unnecessary, doesn't mean I would use my gun either, just the way I roll.

Amen Greg, Amen. Things will get worse, people will steal and kill for food, one day a loaf of bread will be one day of a man's wages, people don't seem to get how bad it will be, I get it. I wasn't raised to hurt, harm or take away other's properties, but the time will come when people will do whatever to get a morsel of food. Satan is winning the battle but people will not stop and see what the "new" enforced laws are going to hurt, mentally ill folks that plan killings for self sick gain will still kill,,the thugs will still be the thugs-the robbers will still be the robbers, it doesn't matter what laws, rules, regulations officials put on the books. Talking about a fake security from officials and other's by saying, we'll we need to make it harder to get guns and etc, Are people so shallow that you really believe the person that wants to shoot someone else will NOT get a gun? Its' illegal for people to sell prescription drugs, well Georgia has epidemic problems with this, its illegal to grow, sell, smoke pot in this state, hhmm, I guess no one does that, the point is: Making more laws means nothing to the crime breaker. If you are a person afraid of guns, then you should not own one, but you shouldn't be against those of us that are not afraid, if you are afraid to drive, you shouldn't drive, but don't be against us that like to drive. I'm done, and of course you ALL know how I feel. ~Blessings to all. Pray for this nation.

It is obvious from all the heated commentary here that there are extreme opinions on all sides of the debate, and everyone can quote this or that study or historical precedent to bolster his or her viewpoint (including me), but that will get us nowhere. At some point we have to come together, and compromise---as the "truth" often lies somewhere in the middle. Yes, I stated my positions, which are extreme to those on the other side of the issue, however I do not believe in imposing my beliefs on others, and am always willing to compromise. (I invite you to read my blog piece on that theme at http://southcobb.patch.com/blog_posts/cooperation-leads-to-progress-a-guidepost-for-2013-resolutions .)
“When we can come together, when we cooperate, when we put aside petty differences, the results are astounding.” (a quote from that piece)

To continue with this theme from my blog: "learning how to compromise... is a challenge but it is the only way that we can ever move ahead and get anything accomplished, and is really a centerpiece of democracy. Refusing to cooperate and compromise leads to extremism, and while it may be ok to hold extreme or passionate beliefs (as I do), one cannot impose those beliefs on others. That is dictatorship or theocracy, which means that one considers himself above others, when clearly everyone’s point of view and contribution has some value and is part of the overall “truth” and solution. Those who refuse to cooperate and compromise together exclude themselves from the process of growth, as described in the old activist adage: “If you don’t come to the table then you will end up on the menu”.
I invite you to come to the table....we have many gun owners who are joining the movement for greater gun controls...we have been to Glock HQ here in Smyrna and the CEO has invited us to meet with him to discuss how they can support our efforts....yesterday we met with all Cobb Police chiefs to discuss the same....most of the activists in our coalition are gun owners. Not one feels the status quo is acceptable and all want to see some gun control measures adopted. I invite you to come to the table...write me to get on the email list to be invited to the forums and meetings...pilgrim1@mindspring.com

Greg...surely you don't mean that the Constitution and everything about America is perfect, static, fixed, never- changing and adapting to the exigencies of the age. Even the 2nd amendment has undergone many different interpretations in our lifetime.
.Everything about it is organic and open to change and interpretation---otherwise we would not have judicial review and so many layers.
Name calling and labeling gets us nowhere. No one knows all the truth about this issue or any issue---democracy entails people coming together to try to arrive at workable solutions to all problems. You make a lot of good points which I have already learned from and you seem to be very reasonable in your use and care of guns. That gives me hope that there are others like you. But if you are not willing to come to the table and contribute your wisdom and experience, and also allow that others whose opinions and experiences vary widely from yours also have credibility then we all fall short--and so does America.

Fred, we the people have the power and if we don't exercise our power, not only by voting but by keeping our elected officials accountable and letting them know, not only by our words but by our collective actions, especially at the local level--we have nothing to complain about. I know that we have the power as I have exercised that power all of my adult life, and have accomplished most of my objectives (not 100% or as fast as I would have liked, but that is democracy) and those we elect we give the authority to channel that power. If we want the elected officials to act they will have to compromise---if we cannot do that in our own communities then why we would expect them too.

Pam J- I didn't realize we had to PROVE anything here, but I try to give facts, but I've been out of school longer than most of you have been on earth. However, you ask some interesting questions about my home invasion. How would it affected me if I had shot (and killed) the intruder? I wish that I had wounded him so He would have got caught? But, as the officer informed me, He said, when you shoot, aim high to kill cause if you don't do a good job, it will make them mad, and more than likely you will die at their hands. Now, just repeating- It has never been in my mind to take another life, I believe in the 10 commandments, but that day has affect my life, my kids, my family. For days, I wouldn't stay at home for a minute til hubby got home, I would go stay in a store, I still look out back in our "woods" to see if someone is possibly out "there". We have taken many security precautions now, which I won't elaborate here, but trust me, I will NOT hesitate to shoot and let happen, happen next time. Anyone that has the gall to keep breaking glass, tearing doors off the frame and THEY KNOW YOU ARE THERE is a THREAT to ALL. My kids are grown, but it affected us then and NOW. We are all MORE aware of anyone around us in a parking lot, we check our doors, twice and sometimes 3 times, life changed for us, My hero, the mom w/twins a month ago hiding from the perp that hunted them out like a mad animal. more to continue..

**sorry for the word happen twice above- continued from above: The mom/ twins- Wouldn't you like to ask her how it feels since she shot him? When I heard that story, I shouted for JOY! How horrible that she and her kids kept climbing and locking doors in their home, and the evil one kept coming for them, He could have left, He kept coming, can you imagine, hiding trying to keep those little boys quiet?? Can you imagine how scared she was? She emptied her gun, and statistic's are that 99.9% of the time, the creep has another creep with them, Thank GOD this wasn't the case, if it had been, she would have been out of bullets, wow.SO, in this case, this is when a automatic weapon with more bullets would have come in more handy, don't you think? Another reason, citizens should be able to choose and make that decision, I bet her husband on the other end of that phone call was praying it was ONE GUY, I can shoot really good, but those times happens, you gonna be nervous, and I would unload everything I have "if" it ever happens again No hesitation to pull that trigger, The POLICE said, we were very lucky, because its one thing we they think "no one is home", but when they are bold enough to come in when people are there, YOU GOTTA PROTECT YOUR FAMILY-There is no room for conversation or debating it, you gotta be ready right then and there~ Its not time to ask them if they are hungry and would like dinner? You must make split decision choices and I salute that mom in Winder!

Hi Fred: while I agree that we Americans are preoccupied with many of the frivolous pursuits you listed, to our detriment, I also see a lot of progress. To me, our real strength as a nation is not our material, political or military might but our unity in diversity--we are the most diverse nation of any size and we are learning to get along, work cooperatively, and progress, regardless of those differences and actually because of the differences and the democratic system.
No one that I know is seeking or suggesting to change any founding documents at this time--we simply get newer or deeper interpretations and applications of them as we progress and realize that our past interpretations and applications were not adequate. Yes, sometimes holding on the past and having to change is painful, and sometimes we make mistakes and have to go back to the old way, which we can always do, but it is a sign of intelligence, creativity and critical thinking to try new things to solve our new or growing problems.

As to a majority of people's opinion and comments on this gun issue, I find it most disturbing, as I look forward to the coming passing of everything on earth to the coming of the lord to be with him were there are no politics, guns, violence, or material issues.

Thanks to all who have commented. Since we've given folks four days to comment, we're going to close this article to new comments.