While the T-SPLOST vote rightly gets most of the attention, the July 31 primaries will also feature a number of ballot questions for both Republican voters and Democrats. We’ve covered a few of them in previous Poll Positions, and today we’re going to resume that series with a bang. No, really.
The third question on GOP primary ballots will read:
Should active duty military personnel who are under the age of 21 be allowed to obtain a Georgia weapons carry license?
Should active duty military personnel who are under the age of 21 be allowed to obtain a Georgia weapons carry license?
Total Voters: 614
The question dovetails with a Senate bill (SB 493) sponsored by Bartow County’s Barry Loudermilk in this year’s session. That bill passed the Senate with a broader impact, lowering the carry license from 21 to 18 for anyone who passed a firearms training course within three months of applying. A substitute version proposed in the House limited the impact to under-21s who had completed basic training in any branch of the armed services, mirroring the ballot question, but the bill never came up for a vote in the House. (Note: This paragraph has been edited to correct the versions of the bill and the timeline in which they appeared.)
As with most of the other ballot questions next month, this one anticipates the introduction (or in this case, re-introduction) of actual legislation, and almost certainly will be used to justify said legislation. And it will almost certainly be approved by GOP primary votes.
But does it pass muster with blog readers? It’s this week’s Poll Position question, and you can sound off in the nearby poll and the comments thread below.
– By Kyle Wingfield
198 comments Add your comment
DawgDad
June 22nd, 2012
12:13 pm
I’m ex-military, licensed to carry. I don’t necessarily believe being active duty military should qualify an under-21 to carry a weapon under State law; I see a distinction, not a connection. That said, I appreciate it’s an issue left to the voters. As to my position, quite a number of under-21 military personnel are very under-21 in terms of off-duty behavior and maturity. Enabling them to carry a weapon may not be a good idea, especially considering a lot of these kids will have access to alcohol and drugs and will be preyed upon by the host of military parasites and shady enablers. On-duty, weapons and ammunition access is tightly controlled (at least it was when I was in the services, decades ago. They COUNTED out bullets to us). The adult in me says there is already a law here designed to protect kids from themselves and a valid rationale for it. If you want to say 18 is “adult” then the proposition is too narrow as worded.
Many of the posts herein are purely mindless, political rhetoric, pretty much disgusting at face value. People, this is a serious issue, regardless of what position you take.
carlosgvv
June 22nd, 2012
12:14 pm
If the NRA had their way, baby’s first gift would be a Colt 45.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
June 22nd, 2012
12:14 pm
No, it’s the lack of guns in the hands of victims that have been the issue.
Ask any successful thug.
Wrong again. This always comes up when there is a school shooting.
The NRA idiots say ” Well if all the teachers had guns this wouldn’t have happened ” etc etc
Thats the dumbest thing ive ever heard.
Again
More guns = More Gun violence.
Look at countries where there are almost no guns like Japan.
Gun violence there is almost unheard of.
Now look at countries where there are guns everywhere like the US
Gun violence here is a daily occurrence.
Coincidence. I think not.
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
12:15 pm
“If the NRA had their way, baby’s first gift would be a Colt 45.”
A can, six pack or 40 ounce?
Dusty
June 22nd, 2012
12:17 pm
WHAT? Women are RULED by their alert harmones?
IF that is the case, then it shows that women react more quickly, are able to analyze more quickly, are ready to present solutions and understanding more quickly, and still have the equaminity and compassion that is needed. All this while men are still saying “HUH?”
Ah but how women love their men!! (Need I mention my husband and four sons?)
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
12:17 pm
“Look at countries where there are almost no guns like Japan.”
Japan has a very polite, structured society. The US has lawless idiots/thugs wanting to gun down the innocents for what they are too lazy to earn.
Aquagirl
June 22nd, 2012
12:17 pm
Don’t know about thinking with emotions, but emotions certainly do play a part….actually, hormones do play a part:
As a wildly non-rational member of the fairer sex, let me point out you’re citing a British tabloid with current headlines on Miley Cyrus’ shorts and leprechaun attacks.
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
12:18 pm
Dusty
June 22nd, 2012
12:17 pm
Nice try…NEXT!!
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
12:20 pm
On this blog this very minute we see the womens illogical response and lack of analytical thinking.
NEXT!!!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
June 22nd, 2012
12:20 pm
Grasshopper throwing out more of that “conservative victimization at the hands of the liberals” whine.
Yes,the country, the media, everyone is out to get you conservatives and take away your rights and guns.
md
June 22nd, 2012
12:21 pm
Why should individuals carry guns?
Because carrying a cop is too difficult.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
June 22nd, 2012
12:22 pm
Japan has a very polite, structured society.
Wrong again. Ever heard of these guys.
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/gangsters_outlaws/gang/yakuza/1.html
They have crime and gangs and a mafia just like us.
They just dont have near the gun problem because guns aren’t laying around everywhere or available down the street for 20 bucks.
Texas Justice
June 22nd, 2012
12:22 pm
Is it really a good idea for even MORE teenage V-103 listeners to be carrying ‘gunz’ with permits than the ones who already do so illegally?
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
12:23 pm
Exceptions to every rule, grits…thanks for pointing that out.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
June 22nd, 2012
12:24 pm
Why should individuals carry guns?
Because carrying a cop is too difficult.
You and Zimmerman would get along just fine.
Why even have cops? Just give everyone a gun and lets all play Cowboys.
Its vigilante time !!!!!
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
12:26 pm
Most cops are too heavy to carry. They have been hanging out at the local QuikTrip Protecting the donuts and Serving themselves same.
Dusty
June 22nd, 2012
12:28 pm
Iggy,
That’s another aspect of this “women thing” you haven’t mentioned.
If a man is as ugly as a dogfish, he usually has a low opinion of women. I wonder why that happens?
DawgDad
June 22nd, 2012
12:29 pm
“More guns = More Gun violence”
The problem is NOT guns, it’s the people who have them. Look at Chicago, where murder and gun violence is epidemic and yet NO ONE is supposed to be carrying. I, and many, many other NRA/Second Amendment advocates could find common ground with you if the Government focused on getting guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them, and associated preventive measures. But that’s not what the politics is about – it’s about disarming the LAW ABIDING people, and thankfully we have a Constitution that constrains you.
Why not eliminate cars? No cars, no auto accidents/injuries/deaths. Now, don’t go imagining things that aren’t possible without ignoring the real world implications, because our society cannot afford to eliminate cars without collapsing economically and starving us all to death.
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
12:31 pm
“If a man is as ugly as a dogfish, he usually has a low opinion of women. I wonder why that happens?”
You should probably ask your husband.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 22nd, 2012
12:32 pm
“If you study your history, you will learn that it was no mere coincidence that organized violent crime rose in the 1920’s.”
I’m sorry, yuzeyurbrane, but are you insinuating that G.I.’s returning home from WWI were responsible for the rise of the American Mafia?
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
12:32 pm
Being dogfish ugly and low opinions of women shouldnt be confused with facts.
NEXT!!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
June 22nd, 2012
12:34 pm
America has lots of scared people who find comfort in owning a weapon. That being said, I don’t go hiking in the mountains without a handgun.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 22nd, 2012
12:36 pm
“Why even have cops? Just give everyone a gun and lets all play Cowboys.”
Not a problem, Cheesy Grits. A whole lot less violence in the Old West when that was allowed, because there were serious consequences for your nefarious actions.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
June 22nd, 2012
12:36 pm
if the Government focused on getting guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them
And which people are those? The ones who don’t share your philosophy? Battered women? non christians? Where do you draw the line?
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
12:38 pm
“That being said, I don’t go hiking in the mountains without a handgun.”
Dont shoot yourself in the foot there, Finn McFife!!
Dusty
June 22nd, 2012
12:39 pm
Thank you, iggy, for doubting my good taste, but it never failed me.
And how is your wife? The one you got with the picture of George Clooney.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 22nd, 2012
12:41 pm
“And which people are those?”
Most people know them as criminals, Finn.
But you’d probably just label them as “misunderstood” or “less-fortunate”.
So pardon me if I don’t want people who don’t share my philosophy of abiding by the law to have guns.
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
12:41 pm
“Thank you, iggy, for doubting my good taste, but it never failed me.”
Another female classic, denial.
NEXT!!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
June 22nd, 2012
12:43 pm
Don’t forget, Romney is going to offshore our military to Indonesia. So a lot of Indonesians will be moving here to work on our bases. So be careful what you grant our service people.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 22nd, 2012
12:44 pm
I have not survived as long as I have in life as to insert myself into a conversation about men’s and women’s personalities.
I am so not going there.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
June 22nd, 2012
12:49 pm
I guess Kyle will be moving to Uruguay:
This week, Uruguayan President Jose Mujica sent a bill to Congress that would allow a chain of nationalized dispensaries to supply cannabis in controlled amounts to registered adult users. The measure, which lawmakers are expected to approve, is a response to a violent crime wave triggered by the growing use of harder drugs in Uruguay, traditionally one of the safest nations in Latin America.
Dusty
June 22nd, 2012
12:50 pm
Iggy, your wife? The last one?
Oh nevermind. They don’t call him “Iggy” for nothing..
——————————–
Tiberius
I see you are playing “safe” today. Good move!
Thomas Heyward Jr.
June 22nd, 2012
12:52 pm
Only a Democrat or a Romney-Tard would ask permission from a corrupt entity to carry a weapon for defense purposes.
Ditto waiting on nine gown-wearing lawyers in DC determining whether you will buy a terrible product or not.
.
Thank God………….smart people out number you sheep.
.
Next thing ya know…………they”ll be dictating how you pee……………….
………oh wait……………………baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
.
Ron Paul 2012 or ……………submit.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 22nd, 2012
12:56 pm
“Thank God………….smart people out number you sheep.”
I’m sorry, Thomas Heyward Jr., but when did 95% become outnumbered by 5%?
‘Cause that’s the maximum percentage of votes Ron Paul could ever garner in a national election.
Dusty
June 22nd, 2012
1:00 pm
Awww I’m leaving.
Finn has now dumped even crazier stuff than usual on this blog. I didn’t think it was possible.
Anyway, a fresh tomato sandwich with mayonaise is much more interesting.
Aquagirl
June 22nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Another female classic, denial.
You had a couple of good volleys, but you whiffed that one iggy. Y’all were pretty funny for a while though.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 22nd, 2012
1:05 pm
“Finn has now dumped even crazier stuff than usual on this blog. I didn’t think it was possible.”
I did. There is no limit to Finn’s crazy.
Thomas Heyward Jr.
June 22nd, 2012
1:05 pm
Tiberius – Banned from Bookman’s and proud of it!
.
That 5% underestimate will be enough to defeat another Northeast lib-tard Faux-conservative.
.
Sorry.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
June 22nd, 2012
1:05 pm
Dusty,
I’m sure I’m not the first person to look upon Kyle’s photo up above and think: “That Dude is baked!”
Streetracer
June 22nd, 2012
1:12 pm
I will only make one comment here. If a person is mature enough to vote, aren’t they mature enough to carry a gun?
SisterSarah
June 22nd, 2012
1:12 pm
@Tiberius
So what about all the “liberals” who have seen a military recruitment center or might have actually BEEN the @$$ kickin’ “drill instructor” (as I was)? Or do you think only “conservatives” wear a uniform?? Of course you do. By the way, what was your specialty/rank/title ? Blog Battalion Commander? Get a life!
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 22nd, 2012
1:13 pm
“That 5% underestimate will be enough to defeat another Northeast lib-tard Faux-conservative.”
And if you think that a Romney Presidency would be as bad as another four years of this current Disaster-in-Chief, you’re not even remotely using whatever brain God gave you, Thomas.
Paulistas – they’re the other crazy.
Tiberius - Banned from Bookman's and proud of it!
June 22nd, 2012
1:18 pm
Sister Sarah, even you should agree that the vast majority of people who make up the military are conservative in nature. Polls and voting records prove that time and time again.
Any liberals in the military probably got that way by being exposed to chemicals or something. Clearly their thought processes were messed up at some point in their lives.
Case in point: You have yet to make an intelligent argument against virtually every article Kyle has written.
carlosgvv
June 22nd, 2012
1:27 pm
Streetracer – 1:12
Are you talking about physical or mental maturity?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
June 22nd, 2012
1:36 pm
As long as it isn’t some islamic lunatic like Nidal Hasan.
Aquagirl
June 22nd, 2012
1:37 pm
I’m sure I’m not the first person to look upon Kyle’s photo up above and think: “That Dude is baked!”
It’s an altered photo to mask his manly-man appearance. Kyle has to keep the groupies away somehow.
resno2
June 22nd, 2012
1:37 pm
Streetracer – you have to show ID to get a carry permit and pass a backround check. All you have to do to vote is show up and say ‘I’m here’!
iggy
June 22nd, 2012
1:37 pm
Ya, it was fun…
Producer
June 22nd, 2012
1:49 pm
If the legal age is 18, then 18 year olds should not only be able to vote, they should be able to drink and own a pistol.
Case closed.
The Snark
June 22nd, 2012
1:53 pm
Is this really a burning issue that needs attention from our elected officials?
Or is it a lame attempt by politicians and gun lobbyists to manufacture “gun issues” to keep the base fired up and the contributions rolling in?