Georgia’s governor, battling primary challengers, on Wednesday said he’d push to would allow Georgians to conceal carry firearms without a permit.
Gov. Brian Kemp announced the effort at a gun store near Atlanta alongside state lawmakers and gun owners.
“In the face of rising violent crime across the country, law abiding citizens should have their constitutional rights protected, not undermined,” Kemp, a Republican, said. “And while this position has recently become popular for others as we enter the campaign season, my position has remained the same. I believe the United States constitution grants the citizens of our state the right to carry a firearm without state government approval.”
Kemp referenced multiple bills, including some already introduced, that would make so-called constitutional carry legal and said he’d throw his weight behind them and work together with Republican lawmakers and groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA) to “perfect” the proposals.
Kemp is facing multiple primary challengers, including former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), as he seeks a second term.
Perdue claimed credit for Kemp’s constitutional carry push, writing on social media this week that the governor was “answering my call.”
“But real leaders lead from the start—and it’s time Georgia had a Governor who shows principled leadership when it matters most. That’s exactly what I’ll deliver on day one,” Perdue said.
The campaign of Stacey Abrams, a major Democrat gubernatorial candidate, also panned Kemp.
“The same guy who pointed a gun at a teenager on TV now panders with reckless proposals threatening Georgia lives. As her opponents run to dangerous extremes and fight desperately to salvage their political careers, @staceyabrams is fighting for Georgians and their safety,” Lauren Groh-Wargo, Abrams’s campaign manager, wrote on Twitter.
She was referring to Kemp’s wielding firearms during ads that aired previously.
Kemp campaigned in 2018 on constitutional carry but hasn’t devoted much time to the issue before now.
Kemp touted his accomplishments when asked about the delay and indicated legislative support may not have been present earlier in his term.
Republicans have controlled both state chambers throughout the term, though lawmakers have not yet passed any of the bills in question.
Col. Willis Lee, vice president of the NRA, said Georgia should become the 22nd state to enact constitutional carry.
“The Second Amendment is most important in the face of leftist policies, foisted by leftist politicians and judges. And as long as there are anti-American anti-gun zealots who try to take our civil rights, NRA members will stand and fight this year next year and into the future,” he said.
From The Epoch Times