GA study committee chair recommends penalties, incentives to promote safe firearm storage

A legislative study committee chairman exploring ways to foster safe firearm storage in Georgia Thursday recommended a carrot-and-stick approach to an issue that has taken on greater urgency since September's mass school shooting in Barrow County.

Sen. Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur, chairman of the state Senate Study Committee Study Committee on Safe Firearm Storage, proposed legislation providing civil and criminal penalties for parents or caregivers who allow children access to a loaded firearm and lowering insurance premiums for homeowners who buy safe storage devices such as trigger locks or gun safes.

"Having laws like this on the books is critical to us curbing this senseless act of gun violence," Jones said Thursday.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who presides over the Senate, created the study committee last March, but several of the panel's meetings have taken place since two students and two teachers were shot to death at Apalachee High School near Winder in September.

Another student, 14-year-old Colt Gray, was arrested at the scene and charged with the murders, while his father, Colin Gray, also faces criminal charges for allegedly letting his son possess the AR-15 style rifle used in the killings. The two were indicted last month and are due to be arraigned next week.

Jones also is recommending creating a director position inside state government to coordinate training and technical assistance to schools looking to create a safe and secure environment, review schools' emergency operations plans, and produce educational materials on safe firearm storage. He said the position could be created within the governor's office without the need for legislation.

Jones also suggested the General Assembly pass legislation requiring a 10-day waiting period before purchasing an assault rifle, unless the buyer has a state-issued license to carry firearms.

"Sometimes in those 10 days, cooler heads can prevail," he said.

Jones' recommendations will be forwarded to the full study committee for consideration.