Georgia parents and kids at a local park and baseball field were panicked when a man with a gun walked around, displaying the gun to everyone he encountered in the parking lot. The man further menaced those present by saying things such as ‘You want to see my gun? Look, I got a gun and there’s nothing you can do about it.’ Those present said he knew he was frightening people. What to do – call 911 of course! But, as it happens, it’s not against the law in Georgia to terrorize others with a gun – not anymore. The Sheriff said the man wasn’t breaking any laws with his behavior. The complete story may be found here, but first let’s see what precipitated this incident and the inability of the sheriff to act, and what legislators are actually doing these days.
The State of Georgia recently liberalized their gun laws allowing owners to carry their weapons into churches, schools, libraries and bars. In other words, it’s not only baseball fields where menacing gun nuts can terrorize people legally. You can expect to see wild west shootouts in bars and in church. Also, for parents who tried to protect their children from the odd armed man, it’s very puzzling that they have opened the door to gun carrying in public schools!
Georgia may be misguided about guns, but they are on the ball when it comes to keeping Welfare recipients from potentially indulging in ‘drugs.’ Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed legislation on Tuesday requiring some applicants for food stamps and welfare benefits to undergo a drug test. Under the bill, testing could be required if authorities have a “reasonable suspicion” of drug use. A person failing the test would temporarily lose benefits, although their children could receive assistance through another adult.
Debbie Seagraves, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, called the legislation “shameful” and said it violated the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches. She also argued that state employees are not adequately trained to detect signs of possible drug use.”It’s a badly flawed bill it will be challenged” Seagraves said. A similar bill was vetoed in North Carolina last summer, and a federal judge struck down a Florida bill requiring drug screening for welfare recipients, ruling it violated the constitutional prohibition of unreasonable searches.
Not affected by the nosy welfare drug law, are recipients of corporate welfare, who constitute the largest burden on the backs of taxpayers.