Georgia HATES Johnny Cash!

Don't Take Your Guns To Town

A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm
A boy filled with wonderlust who really meant no harm
He changed his clothes and shined his boots
And combed his dark hair down
And his mother cried as he walked out

Don't take your guns to town son
Leave your guns at home Bill
Don't take your guns to town

But did Bill listen? No!

So Atlanta, if you can't learn from Johnny Cash...

(Up front: I am not opposed to the 2nd amendment. I am opposed to lack of common sense in exercising those freedoms.)

Georgia (one of about half-dozen 'open carry' states) has just dramatically expanded gun-permit holders' right to openly carry weapons where people congregate. It is refered to as the "guns everywhere" law that allows licensed gun owners to bring weapons to bars and houses of worship, to airports and government buildings, to malls and movie theaters, to schools and colleges, unless specifically denied on a case-by-case basis. The law also prohibits police from demanding to see the weapons permit of someone seen carrying a gun.

Is it just a coincidence or aren't those some of the same places where many mass shootings have occurred?

Some businesses and congregating places say they will allow guns, worried that prohibiting them will discourage customers. Others are banning weapons concerned that patrons will be afraid. So if I understand, those decisions are about the bottom line, right?

There was a comedian in the era of airline hijackings that proposed a simple solution: As passengers board the plane, issue everyone a loaded gun. No hijacker in his right mind would dare try anything. People laughed then... but little did that comedian, or anyone for that matter, know how prophetic he was. I'm supposed to feel better I think... but I don't.

Some bars have proposed every drinking spot post a sign denying guns in the place as "guns and firearms don't mix." One posted a 'no-guns' sign because "We didn't want you to come in, get drunk and shoot up the place. But when gun-right advocates took to social media to criticize and threatened to boycott the restaurant and bar, "we took it down right away. We heard from our customers"... and guns will now be allowed.

If "guns don't kill people, people kill people," then are you comfortable that  23-40 percent of legally purchased gun buying (like at gun shows primarily) does not require a background check?

Proponent group OpenCarry.org/  says “A Right Unexercised is a Right Lost." Its director explains, "This just means that a law-abiding citizen can take the responsibility of their own defense."

A Texas pro-gun group has posted photos of members carrying rifles (RIFLES!) through the aisles of Target stores. Target then "respectfully" requested customers not bring guns into its stores, "even in communities where it is permitted by law."

According to the Wall Street Journal, the NRA scolded the Texas gun-rights groups for carrying rifles in the stores, calling the practice "not neighborly." Open Carry advocates the practice in its effort to make carrying large firearms in public appear normal. (So I guess the rest of us are getting trained.) The NRA later 'unscolded' the rifle carriers and apologized. Is the tail now wagging the dog?

In Rifle, CO, The Shooters Cafe boasts every waitress carries 'her piece' in a holster on her hip. Makes 'em feel safer... just in case.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman

In other words, nothing says "Don't mess with me," like a gun on the hip. Match that with 'Stand Your Ground' legislation gaining traction and we don't need Mr. Peabody's "Wayback Machine" to feel what it was like when Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hitchcock walked into a saloon. With 42 percent of U.S. households owning firearms, that minority 58 percent better get its act together.

Because you can does not mean you should or have to.

You can now take your guns into Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the world's busiest--but (Phew!) you still can't legally get thru security--and libraries and malls and movie theaters. And the state legislative chambers too? (If not, then why not? Shouldn't legislators live by the same laws we do?) Though I am pretty sure this flies in the face of common sense, I hope it doesn't backfire (no pun intended).

I really wonder... are we crazy enough yet?


He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand
And tried to tell himself he had become a man
A dusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down
And he heard again his mothers words

Don't take your guns to town son
Leave your guns at home Bill
Don't take your guns to town


*The song, of course is Johnny Cash at his best. Thank you for the use.