Lawsuit Filed To Carry Weapons In Atlanta Airport

ATLANTA — The nation's busiest airport dueled with gun rights advocates Tuesday over whether a new Georgia state law allows visitors to carry firearms at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

City officials in charge of the airport declared it a "gun-free zone" when a law allowing people to carry guns on public transit and other places took effect Tuesday. Gun rights supporters, including a state legislator who helped pass the law, quickly filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the designation.

"My message is simple: Leave your firearms at home," airport general manager Ben DeCosta told reporters at a news conference.

Atlanta officials said anyone carrying a gun at the airport could be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.

The new state law allows people with a concealed weapons permit to carry guns into restaurants, state parks and on public transportation.

John Monroe, an attorney for the gun rights backers who filed the lawsuit, argued the Atlanta airport qualifies as public transportation. There are also restaurants in the terminal, which Monroe said should be accessible to gun-toting visitors under the new law.

Rep. Tim Bearden, a Republican from Villa Rica and a former police officer, is a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Bearden sponsored the state law.

He had told a newspaper he would carry a concealed weapon to the airport Tuesday when he picked up his family. But he told The Associated Press by telephone Tuesday morning, "There will be no reason for any confrontation at the airport."

The gun group argues that weapons should be allowed in the terminal up to the point where passengers pass through security to board their flights. The parking lot is off limits under the state law, but it allows travelers to carry a gun on MARTA trains and buses, which run directly to the airport.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin said citizens can't bring guns into the terminal and argued that airports remain attractive targets for terrorism.

Allowing citizens to carry firearms "would create an environment that would endanger millions of people," she said.

Franklin said she will lobby Congress to withhold federal funds from facilities that allow firearms on their premises.

Comments

[Kalima]

When I've reached the point where I have to check someone's profile to see if I can find
an answer to me, does this mean, I can never get into the magic boxes on this session?
My eyes are tired.

[Chillinout]

What?

[Kalima]

Ok, I'll say it again. I can't open the "More Comments Here."

[Nochnoi]

I know.... it has gotten silly.... wish you can have been here when it was good and fun...........

[Kalima]

I've been here since May last year so I think I know what you mean. About
20 minutes ago I noticed that you had answered about the underwear
stealing but I couldn't see your reply, I found it in your profile.

[BlueStateMan]

That little wheel endlessly turning.... on & on... forever.

It's like being hypnotized.... "You will sleep... your eyes are getting heavy... heavier....."

It's like looking at Duchamp's "Anemic Cinema".

[Kalima]

LOL! I have to keep slapping my cheek to stop giving in.

[Chillinout]

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. " - Thomas Jefferson

[Nochnoi]

Right.... and I totally agree with that thought..... as unfortunate as it is, just looking at the current gov..... I know exactly what they were talking about................

[AdLib]

True, especially in light of the Boosh Dictatorship we've endured. However, all Constitutional rights have limitations (you can't claim 1st Amendment rights to falsely yell fire in a theater).

Limitations are accepted on all amendments (maybe too much in light of the telecom immunity's impact on the 4th Amendment...which is in tatters anyway) yet when even the most reasonable limitation is broached on the 2nd Amendment (like people should not carry them in airports or on planes), these absolutists scream (bloody_murder?) in harmony with the NRA and we have this insanity going on.

Like all extremists, a reasoned debate is the last thing they're seeking.

[huzzah]

Like how the NRA fought against the use of taggants in explosive components to make their tracing/tracking quicker and easier...

[Chillinout]

it would be nice to get rid of extremists on the both sides of any issue. Generally what I have found is that you listen to both sides and then usually, the answer is somewhere in the middle, which is where I find myself on most issues.

[Nochnoi]

I do not think I am an extremist in any sense of the word........... I understand the right to bear arms, and exactly why they included it..... In England, they had no rights..... Even to this day people are afraid to speak out against the Queen...... Hence the 1st amendment.... and they couldn't raise up against the gov because they were not allowed to have guns.... basically.... we have the rights they never did....... Everything they hated about their government, they made sure we wouldn't have to suffer the same fate........... That is basically where all our rights came from.....

[Chillinout]

Your rights end where my rights start and vice versa. That is my philosophy.

[Chillinout]

It is obvious that there is a lot of passion on both sides of this issue. As you know I am a gun owner and I don't have a problem with responsible people packing. Personally the only reason I have a concealed weapons permit is so that I can transport my guns from point a to point b without having to dismantle them and scatter the pieces throughout my car. I do not walk around with a loaded gun, I just don't see any reason why I should, at least not yet anyway.

Those of you that don't like guns and don't want to own them, well that is your right, just as it is my right to own one.

What I don't understand is why there can't be a calm discourse over this without all the personal attacks. The first lesson in debating is that when you start in with personal attacks you will lose the argument.

[Nochnoi]

I hate guns and have never attacked you, nor anyone else for having one............. it is your right to do so..............

[Chillinout]

I know you haven't.

That last paragraph was for a select few.

[AdLib]

Tell you what just to disprove Chillinout, let's attack each other for being unarmed?

Chillinout, just joking. Seems to me it's not the gun ownership issues that cause the fierce conflict, it is the defensiveness the gun crazed have, every rationalization has to be an extreme.

No gun laws should exist because the government may need to be overthrown by the people. Those supporting ANY gun laws want to disarm EVERYONE and trash the 2nd Amendment. Etcetera, etcetera.

I don't know one Dem who wants to trash the 2nd Amendment and outlaw guns, only Dems who want some intelligent "regulation" to reduce the easy access to guns by people who wish to harm other innocent people.

Why that makes the extremist gun owners go mental is up for discussion but Freud may have an idea about that.

[DrFitz]

This is the other thing that ticked me off about the SC decision. All it's going to do is cost taxpayers a ton of money while lawyers clean up from all the new lawsuits to be filed. Wonderful. But all the Republicans think it's fantastic.

[DrFitz]

This is insanity!!! Have people completely forgotten the incident where a crowd was shot at LAX outside the terminal near the Israeli airline? It's enough of a pain getting through airports without there being a big hassle with idiots who can't make an exception and leave their guns.

[AdLib]

Couldn't find the video from the SNL Debut episode starring George_Carlin which was on last Saturday Night for the "Show Us Your_Guns" bit but here's a self-described inspired video.

Imagine sitting on the plane next to any of these "folks"...actually, imagine living in the same country:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d945_ouosCU

[phreso]

I am sorry, but this bit of stupidity came from your own volvo birkenstock:

VolvoBirkenstock

Diesels don't chug fuel, you pretentious nouveau riche wannabe.

What a gem

First, It shows a total ineptitude to understanding the difference in a diesel engine and a standard gas engine. Second, diesel fuel is higher priced that regular fuel. There is also very little difference in fuel consumption

If this is your buddy liberals, you might want to tell your friend to a little better educated before he posts gems like this.

Out F350 King Ranch consumes every bit of fuel, at a much higher cost.

Volvo, how long HAVE you lived in that basement?

[phreso]

Don't pick on the typos

[AdLib]

Therapy may be more expensive than drinking rubbing alcohol and posting here but it may actually help you.

[phreso]

Yes, absolutely post with no regard for truth. Show your ignorance, it is acceptable these days. It is the reason I tell my teenage daughter to DATE THE GEEKS! At least they will have something to discuss with you.

[Nochnoi]

All the therapy in the world can not help that one.....

[Chillinout]

Actually a diesel engine produces more power with less fuel consumption than a comparable gas engine. I have a MB that weighs 4700 lbs and gets 30 miles to the gallon. Try that with a gas engine.

[phreso]

Agreed, but we had to buy a special unit to change the gear ratio in order to get better gas mileage.

we have the power to pull a 28 ft car hauler, I never said we didn't try to save fuel.......

If you can get our truck to get more than 16 MPG, yoyu just get on with your bad self.

[phreso]

Tops out at 18

[phreso]

If you can get my truck to get 30 MPG I will kiss your toes.

[Nochnoi]

I used to have a friend who got to drive a Prius and the MPG was AMAZING! But I agree, if you can't have a hybrid, a diesel engine is the next best thing.... I tend to walk a lot now.....

[BlueStateMan]

Unfortunately, the particulate pollution from a diesel engine is ENORMOUS.... & have you SEEN how much diesel is going for (at least in Southern California)?

Upwards of SIX Dollars per gallon.

[cardtosser]

Take a walk at night through the most violent part of any large city. You might feel safer if you were carrying a gun (and knew how to use it).

Now imagine that you are taking that walk knowing that all those shady people around you had concealed weapons. Would you feel safer?

[peacekitten]

how would those shady people know that YOU weren't packing too?

[emstrem]

Maybe if the people of New Orleans was allowed to keep their weapons after the hurricane hit, more people would have cared about their plight. Having just the criminals armed worked out great for them.

[peacekitten]

are you talking about the blackwater armed criminals?

[AdLib]

Ignorant post. During the Katrina aftermath, there were people with guns shooting at the police, firemen, rescue crews, etc. who had to abandon helping people because of the threat from your fellow gun owners.

[Trittydi]

If I could afford to fly ANYWHERE - I'd just make sure I didn't connect in Atlanta.
*

[VolvoBirkenstock]

Don't book Delta, then

[Nochnoi]

Or NWA.... thankfully I never have to fly with them again.... they so suck!

[Probus]

This new law reminds me of a very funny Archie Bunker episode where Archie tries to make the case that when passengers are boarding a plane should be given guns and when they land they should return the guns so as to prevent crime. This is a stupid law and should not stand Constitutional muster. But you never know with this Supreme Court. Why should anyone want to carry a loaded weapon on a plane or in a restaurant?

[AdLib]

So, according to the NRA "a well armed militia" includes arms such as rocket fired grenades and bazookas. My question is, when you bring them on a plane, do you store them in the overhead compartment or under your seat?

[VolvoBirkenstock]

...you can be sure first class will have a special closet.

[ChiGuy]

"Ah'd keep mahn at the ready jess in case there's some of them thar turrists on the aeroplane."

[Nochnoi]

Whatever you do.... keep them on you at all times.... last time I checked luggage they lost it forever......

[Kalima]

That is the truth. Last year my hubby flew Tokyo/ Frankfurt to Barcelona.
His luggage ended up in Paris and took 3 days to arrive in Spain.
How does that work exactly?

[BlueStateMan]

Under your seat.... that way you can get to them faster...

Objects may "shift" in the overheads & you might end up trying to discharge someone's umbrella.

THEN where would you be?

[Indubio]

The gun issue may prove why America may not survive. Both sides of this debate are right and wrong. If I lived on a ranch in Texas or any rural environment where hunting and significant exposure to guns was a birthright, I might feel it's a right to carry. If I grew up in Oakland, NY, or another urban setting, I might feel threatened knowing that any novice might be carrying a concealed gun. Obviously both sides have a valid argument and it might be fair to argue that what happens in LA shouldn't effect life in the Texas panhandle. The obvious response however is that guns bought in Texas make their way to criminals in distant cities. More than 90% of Americans live in urban settings so if this was a country governed by logic, the issue should have been settled years ago in favor of control. This isn't a nation governed by logic; quite the opposite--we're governed by irrational attitudes.

I once opposed most gun ownership but given what I've observed over the past seven years, an armed citizenship might be the only thing preventing an out of control government from becoming worse. If we wish to see government become a more responsive a few million armed citizens staging a protest in front of the Capital, SCOTUSt, and the White House might work. I fear this action may be the only act that might catch the attention of our so called political leaders.

[peacekitten]

there are approximately 260 million guns in the hands of americans.

owning a gun ANYWHERE is NOT a birthright. otherwise there would have been no logical reason for the founding fathers, specifically thomas jefferson, to be so particular as to cover it in the bill of rights.

in the state of texas, a few years back, a law was passed allowing ministers and the members of a congregation to carry a concealed weapon INTO the church. it brought new meaning to the phrase "praise the lord and pass the ammunition."

given that most of the gun owning citizenry is no longer part of any "well regulated militia." there is no reason not to require instruction for the SAFE handling of a weapon by its purchaser.

[Chillinout]

The gun owners that I know, including myself, are in favor of reasonable regulation, just not an outright ban.

[Chillinout]

Where I live, the state legislature made it legal for teachers to carry guns in the schools. There won't be any Columbine or VA Tech style shootings here I can guarantee you that.

[BlueStateMan]

Yeah, right.... now the TEACHERS will be spraying bullets all over the place.

PERFECT.

[BrettnCalgary]

I must admit you are correct, your shootings will be much better for the movie versions.

[ChiGuy]

Any time now, you'll see the first head count of how many innocent students got caught in the crossfire.

[Chillinout]

People that do that sort of shootings are basically cowards. They wouldn't bring a gun to school if they knew the teachers were packing.

[99hockeyman]

Wrong. When the shooting starts nobody will know who is right and who is wrong. When faced with a situation like that most people freeze than becoming John Wayne.

[phreso]

Never mind Volvo, I don't need an answer.

Any intelligent person reading this will form their own opinion.

You don't need to answer.

I just wish to tell you, I have never seen such vile hatred emanate from any single human being EVER.

I have also never seen anyone who seeks validation on a blog like you have, but that is another story

I feel so bad for you.

[PixieThis]

"I have also never seen anyone who seeks validation on a blog like you have, but that is another story
"

Wow - hello pot? this is kettle....YOU'RE BLACK!

[phreso]

Nope, real white.

A German immigrant to boot. But hen what would a woman like you who finds dates on a blog post know anything about that?

Oh yea...In an hour..........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

It my own indulgence that I came here to make fun of you again. Thanks for the giggles!

Off to the Keys!

[AdLib]

As an intelligent person reading your posts, you are wack.

[VolvoBirkenstock]

We tried the rawskank redemption once with you.

You are nothing but something that needs to be scraped off one's shoe.

[huzzah]

Is it possible to contain these little conversations to a single thread seeing as we're now on page 17 of comments? Call me Miss Manners if you like, but isn't continuously starting new threads to carry on an old, personal vendetta a bit of a breach of netiquette...?

[Nochnoi]

Welcome to the wonderful world that is this......... a place like no other.........

[ChiGuy]

"I have also never seen anyone who seeks validation on a blog like you have..."
____________________________________________________________

Writes the one that has blathered about her importance on this blog for years.

It's pathetic, so I really shouldn't laugh. But in your case, I just can't help myself.