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Deal signs bill expanding gun rights in Georgia
Georgia Gun Bill Werm
Gov. Nathan Deal, seated, signs House Bill 60 into law Wednesday in Ellijay, Ga. The gun law is a broad loosening of Georgia's gun restrictions. Under the law, people with a license can carry a gun into bars, some government buildings and places of worship if religious leaders say it's OK. Also under the law, school districts would now be able, if they choose, to allow some employees to carry a firearm under certain conditions. - photo by AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Brant Sanderlin
ELLIJAY, Ga. — Criticized by one group as the "guns everywhere" bill, Georgia took a big step Wednesday toward expanding where licensed carriers can take their weapons, with the governor signing a law that allows them in bars without restriction and in some churches, schools and government buildings under certain circumstances. Following mass shootings in recent years, some states have pursued stronger limits on guns while others like Georgia have taken the opposite path, with advocates arguing that people should be allowed to carry weapons as an issue of public safety. Republicans control large majorities in the Georgia General Assembly, and the bill passed overwhelming despite objections from some religious leaders and local government officials.
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