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

[Nochnoi]

I have to ask.... has any pro-gun person here ever seen anyone actually shot? Asides from a military engagement of some sort...........

I had one of my best friends shot dead right next to me.... and it is something you never, ever forget.... That person is never coming back..... and some idiot with a gun just shot him down because he didn't like the fact that my friend was gay.... so can someone please explain to me why idiots are allowed to own guns? And why my friend had to die?

Also, coincidentally, there is a show on right now on the channel FX called "30 Days"... this episode happens to be about a gun control advocate goes to live with a gun loving, gun toting family for 30 Days.... Very interesting episode... timely.......

[soapington]

Ha! Next time one of them lippy security guys tells me to get my shoes off --- KERBLOOEY!!!

[oscartucker]

There are "rights" and there is "common sense". I hope and pray that no one with a gun in such a large crowd would "lose it" and "go off".

[99hockeyman]

Just remember, 62 million morons voted for Bush in the last election.

[huzzah]

And in our wonderful state those morons are about 2/3 of the population...

[swooge]

You mean like in that reality show about airports?
Do people go nuts when they get frustrated about delayed flights and lost luggage?

[che leo]

God save our stupid, violent country. I honestly just don't know where I live anymore...

[philinmedford]

Well Che used to live in Argentina, then Cuba until 1967. I don't know where Che lives now.

[che leo]

Of course most Americans always assume "Che" is a reference to "Che Guevara," but in Argentina (where I'm from) it's actually been adopted as a colloquial form of speech. Sort of like saying "hey." In this specific form, it has been disassociated from any political connotation in the vernacular.

Thanks, though.

[chronic]

Amen! Im getting a VISA!!!!

[NTO08]

America has been a violent nation since its inception; however, many other countries have moved far beyond the Wyatt Earp mentality that some here still think should be part of our culture. Many nations just look in amazement at the number of deaths thanks to guns in this country...doesn't have to be this way...

[SCG]

Everyone want a little good news?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/01/poll-joe-lieberman-sinkin_n_110163.html

[lornejl]

Better news would be that he has diaper rash.

[SCG]

His future awaits.

[Chillinout]

Incurable diaper rash.

[rooks]

Thanks, that is good news and keep falling.

[philinmedford]

It cracks me up to watch people compare what you can/can't actually bring on an airplane and what you can/can't carry in the terminal (or any other place)



Look at this apple-isn't it nice and red? Doesn't compare at all with your orange, cause it's ....well orange!

[lornejl]

Where will this gun madness end ?

http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/uploaded_images/Cat%20tax-cat%20holding%20hands%20up%20gun%20pointing%20at%20him-788789.jpg

[HumeSkeptic]

I recognize that hand. It's Scalia, holding a phone in the other hand.

[MichiganJFrog]

Regulating his personal militia.

[lornejl]

lol, damn, I think you're right !

[NTO08]

Scalia is the biggest buffoon the Court has ever seen...he makes a mockery of the justice system every time he opens his mouth.

[profmsf]

How about shampoo and toothpaste?

[lornejl]

So sorry, far too dangerous.

[VolvoBirkenstock]

Poor name tr0ll. It's life is so insignificant that it must come here to spew.

http://bp1.blogger.com/_BLlJwLdIRpk/RgCC8RH-BOI/AAAAAAAAAIY/w_UoyxctVYw/s1600-h/headbanging3pq.gif

[HumeSkeptic]

And?

[HumeSkeptic]

Sorry. That got misplaced somehow. Not meant for you.

[rooks]

Yes!!!!

[philinmedford]

I think we'll really have to worry when they start letting you carry guns online

*blank stare*

[hope]

Further proof that America will never be convicted of an abundance of common sense.

[lornejl]

There is a court of law for that sort of thing ?

[99hockeyman]

In Tennessee, you have state legislators that want to allow guns on state parks. When I questioned one if they would allow guns in the state capital he did not have an answer.

[JulieSA]

That's not unusual. In Texas we can carry in state parks and in the capitol.

[VolvoBirkenstock]

If you carry in the Capital, you are breaking the law, Julie

[MrJoyboy]

Now during those long flight delays you can at least get some entertainment--gunfights in the terminal.

[lornejl]

you said terminal, ha !

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

Do you think the authorities will allow me to take my 38 Special to the White House?

[HumeSkeptic]

Forget that. Just go to the White House and tell them that you are a member of a well-armed militia. See if they would let you in.

[hope]

Please.

That building has been so tainted the last several years, we really need to change to color.

Ecru House? Mushroom?

[Toonadude]

It's neocon birth control.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

LOL