To answer the question posed in the column, a prohibition on guns in any place - whether a park, government office, or college campus - only keeps guns out of the hands of individuals who are inclined to obey the law. It leaves them defenseless to criminals who have no regard for the law. However, another important aspect of allowing the State to have sole regulation of firearms laws is a very practical one: It allows citizens of Georgia to have a common set of laws to follow state-wide. It would be unfair and impractical for a citizen to research and remember which of Georgia's 159 counties and 600+ cities allow guns in parks, not to mention having to do the same for dozens of other types of locations.

Chip, I'm really not a big gun proponent, but I do respect the Second Amendment. I too think if you make it illegal to carry guns anywhere, only those who don't respect the law will carry them. I hadn't thought about the fact that someone could go to one park and it be allowed, and another and it not. Leaving the gun in a car can be just as risky these days with all the car break ins.

The last thing I want is for my family to get caught in a gun battle between a couple of idiots while enjoying our local park. Please keep your guns at home and live out your George Zimmerman fantasies somewhere else.

Brian- Apparently you believe that aside from law enforcement, only criminals should carry guns. And it seems you also believe in violating state laws that aren't consistent with your point of view. The state legislature enacted specific laws pertaining to the regulation of firearms and municipalities cannot preempt those laws.
As for getting caught in a gun battle between a couple of idiots, let me assure you that most law abiding citizens who have carry permits are not idiots. And while you choose to denigrate anyone who legally carries a gun, I think your perspective would be a bit different if one of those "idiots" came to your defense while you being assaulted by a criminal, and saved your life.

Brian..

Dude 0 for 2 in two days? I'm embarrassed for you at this point .
Let's think like adults for a moment about the failure of your "No Guns Allowed " Sign. What's a law abiding , legally carrying citizen to do when presented with this little violation of his Constitutional rights? Obviously he cant carry because the Brian Crawford Sign supersedes the Constitution so he has to leave his firearm in "locked" his car. You are aware that it's pretty easy for just about anyone with opposible thumbs to break into a car right?
So , now the kid that was breaking into cars stealing I Pods is armed and

IN THE PARK !
Brilliant
Maybe you didnt think your cunning plan all the way through chum?

I'm not at all Brian,
Though I am certain that Snellville's halfwit Mayor has no business meddling with carry laws and that the Constitution grants the right to "keep and bear" arms.

I'm smart enough to understand where the bad guys GET their guns. More often than not they steal them because , you see ,they are criminals.Once they steal them they carry them and use them wherever they please because , as mentioned previously, they are criminals who dont care about your "No Guns Allowed" sign..

I would think a gent like yourself would be all about making it more difficult for criminals to obtain firearms.
Tell me , do you think it's easier for a bad guy to steal a gun from an unattended parked car than it is for him to to take it away from it's (armed) owner?

Brian- I hope you survive for many more without being threatened or assaulted. But, you know, it only takes once. So from what you're saying, if someone was pointing a gun at you, (possibly because you treated him with respect, but not the proper amount of respect) and a legally armed citizen walked by, you would prefer that he or she kept on walking and let you take your chances.

Or maybe just point to the "No Guns Allowed" sign ?

I think that referring to permitted gun-carrying citizens as "idiots," is rather harsh. In my career in law enforcement, they are some of the most respectful, courteous, law-abiding citizens that I encounter.

I carry pretty much everywhere, and with reason. I've put some very bad people in jail, and I've been stalked by some of the people that I have put in jail. I don't begrudge people doing what they feel is best for their own safety. We have a right to bear arms, and I don't personally feel that a public park qualifies as a reasonable exception.

As a combat veteran I disagree with Brian. All it takes is one,stray or otherwise, to harm you. Have been to several parks in Gwinnett and other places and have noticed several firearms carried by what appears to be 'kids' and others. The 'No Guns Allowed' signage is there only for law abiding citizens, a criminal ignores the laws. Agree that it is a shame that we can not go into a park with out the fear of being robbed but that is a fact of our society and utter disrespect by criminals for our laws. I personaly welcome some one with a firearm to be in a park, that is legal of course. If a criminal thinks he may be 'out guned' he will not do anything. So get legal and start carriing. For the next thug that tries to rob may be the one who is trying to rob Brian.

Brian, It is your choice not to own a gun but it is ALL of our 2nd ammendment rights to legally own and carry a gun if we so choose. I being a 49 year old female, have legally obtained my carriers permit and am proficient in using guns. I'm glad everyone does not feel the way you do as it is MY right to protect myself and my family. Criminals have guns and use them daily in criminal acts. As far as George Zimmerman, it sounds to me like you have already found him guilty without proof. Just like a demorat!

Declaring an area a "no weapons" zone is tantamount to an "Open Season!" sign for thugs. Just ask the students of Georgia Tech who are getting assaulted daily on their own campus. Or those of Virginia Tech, or of Colombine, who desperately waited for help. Or the soldiers at FT. Hood, for that matter. Etc., etc., etc.

The fact is, whether it's the cops, a bystander, or the shooter themselves taking their own life, nothing stops a criminal shooter except another shooter. Making a law or posting a sign guarantees that response is as far away as possible.

When the Second Amendment was written the most powerful weapons available were single shot muzzle loaders. It took even the most expert marksman a full 20 seconds to load and fire a round. I'm pretty sure our founding fathers thought we would have enough sense to make whatever laws necessary to keep the general population safe. By the way, if you all want to arm yourselves with muzzle loaders I'm okay with that.

Brian, take your NO GUNS ALLOWED sign and place it on your front door. See which house the next criminal chooses to break into. Whether you like it or not, the fact that criminals do not know who carries concealed weapons makes us all safer, both in our own homes and out in public including parks.

Brian writes

"By the way, if you all want to arm yourselves with muzzle loaders I'm okay with that."
I thought you were worried about stray bullets? Old school muzzle loading muskets were not very accurate
In any case what you're OK with in this instance doesnt matter a bit ....

I don't Think the Suspects that robbed the people in Bay Creek Park or any other park would read or think about No Guns Allowed, Signs in a Park or any other place, when they want to rob or hurt somebody, Guns are for proction of Law abiding citizens and there children, a Lot of Drug Deals so the Police Say are in Parks, Murders, Rape's & Child molesters also and Citys want to build more, Parks!They sould have a Separate Guard Division in Parks, Probility would catch a lot of Drug Deals, Not People going to work, School or Church in a Speed trap along the road.

For the record, I'm a gun owner. Grew up in the woods hunting with my father. I don't believe guns should be banned. I do believe we need sensible gun control including where people are allowed to carry loaded weapons.

I retired after 32 years in Law Enforcement and can only state that prohibiting guns from people authorized with CC permits will not solve any perceived problem. Bad guys carry guns no matter what signs you put up or ordinances you pass. You simply make the law abiding citizen less safe and able to defend him or herself. If you don't want to carry a gun then don't! I have carried a firearm since I was 21 and I'm now in my 60's. I would find it impossible to place a value on my ability to protect myself and others but apparently the Snellville Mayor knows best and is willing to remove my right and that of others with legal permits. How ignorant and arrogant. GCPD should know better. The arresting officer deserves a "do better" letter in his/her file. They should know the law.

To the one that has commented on this issue, more than any one, You Said you when Hunting with your father, years ago, Did you go Deer Hunting, Rabbit or What Ever, Maybe the Animals that you were going to hunt, Got the Democrat Party to get a bill going that the Animals wants all hunters to Ban Guns, Spears, Knife's, Bow & Arrow Etc. And the Animals had the Democratic Party put signs in the Woods, Parks, Farm Land and so on Not to use guns, Remember Bamby did not want his mother killed also. The Law abidding People of the Country, Want to be safe from the People we all have talked about in this Issue, Remember if People Would not Kill, Rob, Rape Etc. we would not have to Have Guns for our Proctection, Only for hunting Food.

Brian, let me say it clearly so all here can read it. I AGREE WITH YOU! But boy is the opposition loud. The Second Amendment fanatics (I said it) appear to want bazookas legalized and every voter armed. Myself, I think Madison, Morris and Jefferson would be aghast at what they and their team have wrought. In 1785 the most lethal handgun was a single shot dueling pistol and holsters had not yet been invented. Today, handguns can stop Cadillacs with a good shot. It's the handguns folks. I keep a rifle and a shotgun for sport and home protection. I wouldn't have a handgun in my house if you gave it to me. Now before you start jumpin’ on me about wanting to tear up the Constitution, just stop. I support every law that we have. But I want the handgun laws and the carry laws changed. Till then, I’m stayin’ out of your parks.

As a person that along with his wife and five year old son was accosted by two gun carrying thugs on a public street in broad daylight, I am glad I was armed at the time. I wanted to run but mainly wanted to protect my family. I tried talking our way out of it, tried offering them my wallet, my money, my watch but that wasn't enough for them. When they ripped my wife's blouse and pointed a gun directly at my son's face, I reacted like I had to. No special training on how to handle a crisis situation, no concern about stray bullets, no concern for my own life. The end result is we are all safe, my son is now a respected engineer, there is one less thug alive to accost anyone else, and there is one young man who turned his life around while serving prison time. I live with the knowledge of taking a boy's life, however, I would do it again if necessary although I hope it never happens to me again or anyone else. I still legally carry a weapon and always will, sign or no sign.

Municipalities should not be able to ban guns across the board anywhere. There are reasons we have carry laws. If you are following the law then there should be no problem.

I for one am disappointed with Kelly for taking this stand and stating something so blatantly ignorant, but I'll take it up with her next time I see her. In the meantime, I will carry where I can, try to avoid places where I can't, and take my chances. I don't worry about it too much where concealed carry is allowed, but do tend to have reservations going somewhere that I'm not allowed to be armed. Because, as stated, that's where the criminals feel the safest. Disarming law-abiding citizens is just dumb. Simply put.

The founding fathers wanted us armed for several reasons, but mainly to keep the government from getting out of hand again. I worry about a government that wants its citizens unarmed - they can be up to nothing good. Not only that, but look at the statistics - wherever guns have been outlawed, crime goes up. Exponentially. When guns are introduced, crime drops. Simple to see why. It used to be illegal to carry in parks, but people were getting attacked and robbed by criminals who knew this. The law was changed to give citizens a fighting chance - it was on purpose. And it's not up to some podunk mayor (with respect, Kelly...) to change the law for whatever reason.

The person who worries about the gun-carrying citizens that are allowed to carry, and not so much about the criminal, and thinks that the laws will change that latter person's behavior is just not paying attention....

Brian, I haven't needed a spare tire in years, but I still carry one in my car. I also carry gun often. I carry in such a way that you never know. I have made it 55 years and never needed to use one. I hope I never need to use it.

David M, if this was facebook I would like your comment.

Allright, I need to clarify some things. First, the author of the piece we're commenting on really needs to research first and not ask questions in such a leading way. The guy that was arrested was open-carrying, which is fine, but became overly belligerent when approached by the security guard. Oh, and he had his posse with him that was recording everything. He was arrested for disorderly conduct, not carring a weapon. Second, Kelly never said she wanted to ban guns. She made the comment that she needed to see if people were actually allowed to carry in Snellville parks, as her understanding of the law was a bit fuzzy. Turns out, they are. And that cities and counties are not allowed to limit places where licensed holders can carry. If the state says they can, then they can, and no local ordinance can change that. So....I gues that, as they say, is that.....

Kautz understanding of the law "fuzzy" ?

I award Karsten 2 entire internets for the best use of understatement online today .

Winner!

Pass laws like these and all the criminals and psycos would know that everyone at the park is unarmed and sitting ducks...I wouldn't take my kids to the park or go there myself. Most gun laws just make it hard for law abiding citizens to legally own and carry, CRIMINALS do not obey the laws anyway, so keep making new laws and regulations, Hitler did.....

Want proof of the thought that outlawing guns brings out the criminals? Look no further than our great Georgia Tech campus downtown. 3 muggings this weekend. And no plans to let students or teachers that are authorized to carry everywhere else carry. Damn shame. Would be nice to hear a couple of stories about those criminals becoming statistics. Stories like that just warm my heart....

Absolutley not!

It's a good thing this immature, drunken college student happened to have a gun...

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/intruder-shot-in-the-1464583.html

Brian -- I worked for five years in the Major Felony Unit of one of the highest crime areas of Atlanta. I think I probably have a better finger on just how often guns are used and in what capacity than most people. You get the right defend yourself, in a park, and most especially in your own home. Just because the media reports something in a sympathetic manner, doesn't mean that's what actually happened. I'm sorry for the loss of life, but I'm not sorry that maybe people will think twice about their criminal actions near the Tech Campus in the future.

Every criminal is someone's child. It's a terrible thing to have to tell the family and loved ones of a person that their child has passed, no matter what the circumstances. I know, because I've been that person many times, and whether it's a baby or a 24-year-old drug dealer, it's still awful. But that doesn't free someone from responsibility for their actions.

The thing I find most offensive if that you have continually referred to legal, responsible gun owners as fools, idiots, immature, etc. That's my husband you're talking about, and my father, and my brother (none of whom are cops). That's my cousins who have fought to serve their country and also have carry permits in the United States. That's my uncles and aunts, none of whom has ever used a firearm illegally in any manner. It's simply not the case with the vast majority of responsible gun owners.

And we didn't create this culture, it was created by the founding fathers when they guaranteed the right to bear arms, as has already been discussed in this thread.

Everyday, sometimes multiple times a day, Brian posts ridiculous articles, always from the ultra liberal point of view. They receive many responses and he adds even more ridiculous far left crap. I suppose its entertaining to him but for those of us that easily recognize idiot ramblings, its just more foolishness, the same type of foolishness that moved our great country toward socialism and got a socialist elected to our highest office. Disrespect for the Constitution is borderline treason to me. And if I didn't recognize Brian as a lonely COB, I would consider him a treasonist. As it is, I quit playing his games immediately and let him live out his lonely life in his fantasy filled head.

If the Patch has Hired you do give your weird Liberal comments, then you are doing a good Job of being Crazy, Weird, Liberal, for other people to comment on what you have had to say, you are doing a great Job, I read the Patch every Day, to see what is going on in (3) Area's, I don't need to read Junk like this, So YES, I would not miss it, I am control of my self, I can or don't have to read the Patch or anything else, that has JUNK Views or Comments Like you have

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/retired-texas-dentist-charged-with-murder-says-he-regrets-shooting-wife-after-argument/2012/07/06/gJQAXqBgSW_story.html

your web site would not come up, sorry, you are such a looser about the truth, people kill people all the time, what about wife's killing there husbans with a car, see news several months ago, she ran over him, maybe they need some signs no cars