Concealed Weapons Allowed in Georgia Parks and Public Transportation

Opponents of the bill included the Georgia Restaurant Association, which argues that waiters and waitresses shouldn't be asked to demand a patron's gun permit before serving a drink. Union drivers had said they would demand bulletproof shields on MARTA buses if the governor signed the bill.

Supporters of the bill included the National Rifle Association and GeorgiaCarry.org, which argued that holders of concealed weapons permits — who submit to fingerprinting and a criminal background check — are no danger to the public and might even protect the public.

While most of the bill applies only those with concealed weapons permits, H.B. 89 also relaxes restrictions on where weapons can be stored in vehicles. That portion of the bill applies to all gun owners.