Hartsfield-Jackson remains a 'gun-free zone'
March 12, 2009
Atlanta Business Chronicle - by J. Scott Trubey - Staff Writer

A Federal appeals panel Thursday upheld a ban on guns at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The panel of three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta upheld a lower court judge’s decision last year to toss a lawsuit by gun rights advocates and state Rep. Timothy Bearden that would have allowed licensed gun owners to carry firearms in unsecured areas of the world’s busiest airport.

The fight over guns at the airport started in July when House Bill 89 took effect, allowing gun owners with concealed weapons permits to carry firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol, state parks and on public transportation.

City officials declared Hartsfield-Jackson a “gun-free zone,” setting off a legal battle. Bearden, R-Villa Rica, and gun rights advocates, sued the city, Mayor Shirley Franklin and airport General Manager Ben DeCosta in federal court, claiming the airport falls under the guidelines for public transportation.

In September, U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob dismissed the lawsuit. Thursday’s ruling affirms a lower court decision from last September.

In a two-page decision, judges declared the argument “meritless.”

Airport officials applauded Thursday’s ruling.

“We’re pleased with the court’s ruling and Hartsfield-Jackson will continue to remain a safe, secure, gun-free environment for its 90 million passengers a year,” airport spokesman John Kennedy said.

In an e-mail statement to Atlanta Business Chronicle, Bearden said he and GeorgiaCarry.org’s attorneys “are looking at all options on this [whether] it be to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court or just fix this with legislation.”

Earlier this month, Bearden introduced H.B. 615, which, among other things, would allow licensed gun owners to carry concealed weapons in almost all public places, except courthouses, jails and prisons; though citizens would reserve their existing rights to prohibit weapons on their property. The bill would also limit the power of the governor or any state or municipal agent from seizing a weapon during a time of state emergency.

“We should be making a decision in a very short time on our next step,” Bearden said in the statement.

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