♪♪ ♪♪ >>> VLADIMIR PUTIN IS A SELFISH, BRUTAL DICTATOR, AND ANYBODY WHO WOULD TELL YOU OTHERWISE IS LYING.

I CALL ON THIS COUNTRY, I CALL ON THIS STATE, I CALL ON THIS CHAMBER TO STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AS THEY FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.

>> A STRONG REACTION FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JEFF DUNCAN IN THE SENATE ABOUT RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS DAY 21 OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

LEADERS IN BOTH CHAMBERS CAME DOWN HARD ON RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN'S ATTACK ON UKRAINE, AND WE WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT COMING UP.

>>> GUN BILLS DOMINATED IN THE SENATE TODAY, INCLUDING CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY LEGISLATION.

ON THE SHOW TODAY WE WILL HEAR FROM LAWMAKERS WHO SPOKE ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>>> ALSO, WE'VE HAD INSTANCES IN GEORGIA WHERE PUBLIC OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN INDICTED ON FELONIES.

SHOULD THEY CONTINUE TO GET PAID AFTER THEY ARE INDICTED?

WE'LL HEAR FROM BOTH SIDES ON THAT ISSUE.

>>> BUT FIRST, WE HEAD TO THE CAPITAL, CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS WITH A LOOK AT THE DAY'S NEWS UNDER THE DOME.

BRENDA.

>> HEY, DONNA.

RUSSIA'S ATTACK ON THE UKRAINE IS FACING CRITICISM FROM AROUND THE WORLD INCLUDING A CALL FOR SANCTIONS RIGHT HERE UNDER THE GOLD DOME FROM THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

>> WE'VE ASKED IF THE STATE OF GEORGIA HOLDS ANY INVESTMENTS IN RUSSIAN EQUITIES OR OTHER ASSETS, AND IF SO WE WILL SET ABOUT WORK TO DIVEST THOSE ASSETS WITH ALL DUE HASTE.

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT Y'ALL, BUT I DON'T WANT ONE PENNY OF A GEORGIAN'S MONEY GOING TO SUBSIDIZE VLADIMIR PUTIN.

>> VLADIMIR PUTIN IS A SELFISH, BRUTAL DICTATOR, AND ANYBODY WHO WOULD TELL YOU OTHERWISE IS LYING.

I CALL ON THIS COUNTRY, I CALL ON THIS STATE, I CALL ON THIS CHAMBER TO STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AS THEY FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.

>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE RUSSIA WITH TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPONS POINTED AT THE UNITED STATES AND THEY'VE RAISED THAT TO HIGH ALERT.

IT IS UNFATHOMABLE TO ME ANYONE CAN CHANT PUTIN AND RUSSIA.

ANYONE WHO GIVES AID TO THE ENEMY, THEY'RE NOT DESERVING OF THE TITLE TO BE CALLED AN AMERICAN >>> GUNS WERE THE TOPIC OF THE DAY IN THE SENATE.

THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED ON THE FLOOR.

>> SB479 WOULD MAKE EACH POSSESSION OF A WEAPON BY A CONVICTED FELON OR PERSON PROBATION A SEPARATE OFFENSE.

THAT PASSED, 43-9.

SB259 HAD THREE LEGISLATIVE PARTS.

FIRST, IT WOULD KEEP INFORMATION ABOUT WEAPONS CARRY LICENSE FROM BEING SHARED AMONG AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS, AND THE BILL WOULD PREVENT THAT INFORMATION FROM BEING KEPT IN A DATABASE.

IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW GUN OWNERS TO FIRE THEIR GUNS ON PROPERTY LARGER THAN TEN ACRES WITH THE OWNER'S CONSENT AND REQUIRE MUNICIPALITIES TO DISPOSE OF OR SELL CONFISCATED WEAPONS EVERY 12 MONTHS.

IT PASSED, 33-20.

BUT SB319, ALSO CALLED THE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY BILL, CREATED THE MOST CONTENTIOUS DEBATE.

IT WOULD ALLOW GEORGIANS TO CONCEAL CARRY A GUN WITHOUT THE NEED OF A CONCEAL PERMIT.

ONE SENATOR SAID THE SURGE IN CRIME HAS DRIVEN SUPPORT FOR THE BILL.

>> SO WITH THIS SURGE AND THE FIRST TIME GUN OWNERSHIP BY LAW-ABIDING INDIVIDUALS, THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE NEEDING TO GET A CARRY PERMIT.

LET ME BE CLEAR, THEY WANT A PERMIT -- THEY WANT THE PERMIT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO FOLLOW THE LAW, AND CURRENT LAW SAYS YOU HAVE TO HAVE ONE.

WHAT THEY DON'T WANT IS TO BE SLOW WALKED THROUGH A COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY STEP IN THE REQUEST TO LEGALLY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.

>> DEMOCRATS ALSO TRIED TO LINK VOTING RIGHTS TO THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS IN THE PROPOSED BILL.

>> BUT WITH RESPECT TO VOTING RIGHTS, WHILE THEY WANT TO LOOSEN RESTRICTIONS WITH RESPECT TO GUNS, HAVE GUNS EVERYWHERE, HAVE THEM EVERYWHERE.

WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING, THE MAJORITY IS GOING TO TELL YOU WHEN, WHERE, HOW, WITH WHAT ID, WHAT DOCUMENT, WHAT DEADLINE YOU WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH TO EXERCISE YOUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS.

LOOSER GUN LAWS, STRICTER VOTING LAWS.

ALL THE WHILE THE BODY COUNT ADDS UP WHILE THE VOTES DON'T.

>> MY RIGHT TO DEFEND MYSELF IS NOT INFRINGED UPON BECAUSE MY NEIGHBOR OWNS THREE GUNS.

BUT MY RIGHT TO VOTE IS INFRINGED UPON IF MY NEIGHBOR IS ALLOWED TO VOTE THREE TIMES AND I'M ONLY ALLOWED TO VOTE ONCE.

>> SENATOR MICHELLE LAO INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HAVE MADE BACKGROUND CHECKS MANDATORY BY ANY OTHER GUN SALES NOT HANDLED BY A LICENSED FIREARM DEALER.

>> WHILE IT IS NOT PERFECT OR ABSOLUTE BY ANY MEANS, I THINK WE CAN AGREE THAT A BACKGROUND CHECK AT THE POINT OF SALE SERVES AS A PRETTY GOOD FILTER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO BUY GUNS ARE RESPONSIBLE, SAFE AND LAW-ABIDING GUN OWNERS TO THE EXCELLENT POINT OF THE SENATOR FROM THE 31st.

>> THAT AMENDMENT WASN'T PASSED.

IN THE END IT WAS SAID THAT DEMOCRATS WERE MISSING THE POINT.

>> I HAVE NOT HEARD A SINGLE MENTION OR MERIT TO THIS BILL DISCUSSED FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

ALL I HAVE HEARD IS ABOUT VOTING, ABORTION, ALL KINDS OF OTHER ISSUES, BUT NOT ONE SINGLE MERIT OF POLICY THAT REFUTES WHAT THIS BILL IS DOING.

FINALLY, WE LIKE TO THROW AROUND THE WORD "EXTREMIST" AND, YOU KNOW, IN SOME PLACES, YES, IT IS APPROPRIATE AND IT IS WARRANTED.

BUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO TELL YOUNG MOMS AND FAMILIES IN THE SUBURBS OF ATLANTA OR THE CITY OF ATLANTA OR IN WEST GEORGIA OR IN VALDOSTA OR IN AWE AUGUSTA, SAVANNAH OR AREAS IN BETWEEN THAT THEY'RE EXTREMIST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES IN THIS DAY AND AGE, MAYBE YOU NEED TO RETHINK YOUR PRIORITIES OF WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR GEORGIA FAMILIES IN THIS CAPITAL.

>> THE BILL WAS PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES, 34-22.

HB1378 WAS HEARD IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

THE PRIMARY THRUST OF THAT BILL WAS TO ALLOW PLACES OF WORSHIP TO INSTITUTE THEIR OWN WEAPONS RULES.

REPRESENTATIVE JESSE PETREE TOLD LEGISLATORS THIS MORNING THAT HB1064, WHICH WOULD GIVE VETERANS A TAX BREAK, IS A PRIMARY ONE FOR GOVERNOR KEMP DURING THIS SESSION.

>> HERE IN GEORGIA AND IN THIS CHAMBER AND IN PARTICULARLY ADDRESSED A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES, TO ADDRESS MAKING GEORGIA A MILITARY AND A VETERAN-FRIENDLY STATE.

BUT THERE IS ONE MORE IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO, AND I THINK THAT IS THE BILL WE ARE LOOKING AT TODAY.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I THINK WE CAN DO TO COMPLETE THAT, TO COMPLETE THAT EFFORT.

SO, VERY SIMPLY, THIS BILL EXEMPTS UP TO $17,500 OF INCOME RECEIVED FROM MILITARY RETIREMENT BENEFITS, FROM STATE INCOME TAX FOR INDIVIDUALS UNDER 62 YEARS OF AGE.

>> HB1064 PASSED, 161-0.

AND, FINALLY, DONNA, IT IS ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS DAY AT THE CAPITAL.

MORE THAN 150,000 GEORGIANS ARE LIVING WITH THIS DISEASE, AND THERE ARE MORE THAN 300,000 CAREGIVERS.

THAT'S MY CAPITAL REPORT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO SPEND TIME NOW TALKING MORE ABOUT THE GUN LEGISLATION UNDER THE GOLD DOME TODAY.

FIRST, WE WILL HEAR FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM REPUBLICAN SENATOR RANDY ROBERTSON, WHO RETIRED FROM THE MUSCOGEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AFTER 30 YEARS.

>> THE REALITY OF IT IS IT IS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A PIECE OF PAPER.

AND WHILE I APPRECIATE THE PASSION ON BOTH SIDES, IN TODAY'S WORLD LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN GEORGIA CAN'T WALK UP TO SOMEONE AND SAY, "CAN I SEE YOUR CARRY PERMIT" UNLESS THAT INDIVIDUAL IS INVOLVED IN A CRIME OR SOME OTHER NEFARIOUS ACT.

SO, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, THE LITTLE PIECE OF PAPER REALLY DOESN'T DO THAT MUCH EXCEPT COST TAXPAYERS $75.

IF YOU OR I WERE TO GO IN A GUN STORE TODAY WITHOUT THAT PIECE OF PAPER AND ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE A HANDGUN, THEY WOULD RUN A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK ON US THROUGH GCIC AND NCIC, AND THE FBI WOULD BE ABLE TO TELL, YOU KNOW, IF WE WERE CONVICTED FELONS, JUST LIKE THE GCIC SIDE WOULD, AND IT WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO LET US KNOW IF WE HAD BEEN COMMITTED TO SOME MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES AND OTHER THINGS INVOLUNTARILY.

SO I DON'T KNOW THAT HAVING SOMEONE CARRY A PIECE OF PAPER IN THEIR WALLET IS A VERY EFFICIENT WAY TO MANAGE FIREARM SALES AND THOSE WHO ARE ALLOWED TO POSSESS FIREARMS HERE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> SO YOU ARE A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

WHAT WOULD THIS BILL HAVE DONE WHILE -- WHEN YOU WERE ACTUALLY SERVING?

>> WHAT THIS BILL WOULD HAVE DONE IS REALLY NOT CHANGE MUCH BECAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE OUT THERE COMMITTING CRIMES WITH WEAPONS ARE DOING IT WITH WEAPONS WHERE THEY DIDN'T GO THROUGH THE PROCESS TO BEGIN WITH.

THEY DIDN'T GO DOWN TO THE LOCAL GUN STORE AND WALK UP TO THE COUNTER AND LAY THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE UP THERE AND ASK TO BUY A WEAPON.

THEY BUY THESE ON THE STREETS.

THEY BUY THEM IN OTHER STATES.

THEY PASS THEM FROM GANG MEMBER TO GANG MEMBER, AND, YOU KNOW, THE SOLUTION TO GUN VIOLENCE IS THE INDIVIDUAL CARRYING THE WEAPON AND HOW HE OR SHE ACTS WITH THE WEAPON.

IT IS NOT THE WEAPON ITSELF.

I THINK FOR US TO ADDRESS THAT, ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVE TO BECOME AGGRESSIVE AND PROACTIVE IN GOING AFTER THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE COMMITTING THE CRIMES AND STOP MAKING IT ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT IN WHICH THEY'RE COMMITTING THE CRIMES WITH.

>> SO YOU DON'T AGREE WITH CRITICS WHO SAY IT WILL BE EASIER FOR POTENTIAL CRIMINALS TO OBTAIN GUNS?

>> IT CANNOT BE EASIER.

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, THE PERMIT IS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO GO TO THE COURTHOUSE AND HAVE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK RUN IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THAT PERMIT.

CRIMINALS CANNOT OBTAIN THIS PERMIT BECAUSE WHEN THEY GO UP THERE AND THE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK IS RUN, IT COMES BACK SAYING THAT THEY ARE CRIMINALS, WHETHER THEY ARE CHARGED WITH A FELONY IN THE PAST OR WHETHER THEY HAVE HAD OTHER ISSUES WITHIN THE COURT SYSTEM SUCH AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER THINGS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THEM FROM CARRYING A WEAPON HERE IN GEORGIA LEGALLY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT, THE FACT THAT, AT LEAST BY CRITICS, IS THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SUICIDE RATE MAY INCREASE WITH THIS.

>> WELL, THE NUMBER ONE GUN-RELATED DEATH IN OUR COUNTRY TODAY IS SUICIDE.

AND WHILE IT IS TRAGIC AND WHILE WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED IT CLOSE TO US, IT IS NOT GOVERNMENT'S JOB TO TRY TO GET INSIDE OF THE HEADS OF INDIVIDUALS.

I HAVE HAD CLOSE FRIENDS THAT HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE THEIR LIVES, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT KEEPING A FIREARM AWAY FROM THEM OR ANYTHING ELSE WOULD HAVE CHANGED THEIR MIND OR CHANGED THEIR PATH.

SO I THINK IT IS A LITTLE DISINGENUOUS TO TRY TO TAKE A STATE REGULATION FOR A PERMIT AND SAY THAT IT WOULD INCREASE SUICIDE RATES.

I THINK WE DO HAVE TO CONTINUE PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP.

THERE WERE SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS TODAY THAT BROUGHT UP THE TRAGEDIES THAT HAVE OCCURRED AROUND ATLANTA OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS WITH CHILDREN, AND WHILE THAT PRICKS US ALL IN THE HEART, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING THOSE CHILDREN WERE THE OWNERS OF THOSE FIREARMS, WHETHER IT WAS THEIR PARENTS, THEIR GRANDPARENTS OR CLOSE FAMILY FRIENDS.

THERE IS WHERE WE NEED TO LOOK AT DOING MORE EDUCATION AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO GO OUT AND LEGALLY PURCHASE A FIREARM IN GEORGIA EDUCATE THEMSELVES ON NOT ONLY HOW TO OPERATE THE WEAPON, IF THEY NEED IT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO HOW TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND KEEP IT AWAY FROM THOSE WHO COULD HARM THEMSELVES WITH IT.

>> SENATOR RANDY ROBERTSON.

>>> JOINING ME NOW IS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR MICHELLE AL OF JOHNS CREEKS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

A LOT TO UNPACK IN WHAT HE TALKED ABOUT.

WE HEARD ON THE FLOOR A LOT OF IMPASSIONED REMARKS BY DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS RECOUNTING A LOT OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN GUN VIOLENCE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN RECENT WEEKS, IN RECENT MONTHS.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BACK, DONNA.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE HEARD A LOT THIS SESSION ABOUT CONCENTRATING ON THE FACT THAT VIOLENT CRIMES ARE GOING UP, AND I THINK THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS WE CANNOT HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITHOUT HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GUNS AND GUN SAFETY IN PARTICULAR.

SO I FIND IT ESPECIALLY IRONIC THAT WE ARE CONCENTRATING ON VIOLENT CRIMES AND MANAGING VIOLENT CRIMES WITHOUT HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GUN SAFETY AND, IN FACT, LOOSENING GUN SAFETY RESTRICTIONS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> YEAH.

YOU OFFERED A BILL, AN AMENDMENT TO THE BILL THAT WOULD ADD A BACKGROUND CHECK.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THAT WE HEARD FROM SENATOR ROBERTSON, WHO I LIKE AND RESPECT, ABOUT ONE OF THE STATED ASSUMPTIONS OF THIS BILL, WHICH IS THAT THE BILL'S AUTHOR STATED THIS HIMSELF, THAT EVERYONE WHO PURCHASES A FIREARM IS ALREADY BACKGROUND CHECKED THROUGH THE NCIC SYSTEM.

I THINK THIS IS GENERALLY TRUE, THAT PEOPLE WHO PURCHASE THROUGH FEDERALLY LICENSED GUN DEALERS GET A BACKGROUND CHECK.

HOWEVER, WE ARE AWARE THERE IS A SIZABLE LOOPHOLE IN THE SCREENING SYSTEM IN THAT ONE OUT OF FOUR PEOPLE MO ACTUALLY PURCHASE FIREARMS DON'T GET A BACKGROUND CHECK AND THAT'S BECAUSE THEY PURCHASE THIS IN PRIVATE SALES AND TRANSFERS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CALL IT THE GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE.

IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GUN RIGHTS, WHICH I THINK IS AN ENTIRELY REASONABLE CONVERSATION TO HAVE, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER RIGHTS COME WITH RESPONSIBILITIES.

WE ALL PRIZE THE RIGHTS OF RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP, BUT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES ENTAIL.

IF WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT EXPANDING ACCESS OF PEOPLE TO CARRY LOADED WEAPONS IN PUBLIC PLACES LIKE HISTORIC MONUMENTS OR PUBLIC PARKS, WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE WHO HAS THESE GUNS IS LEGALLY ABLE TO CARRY THESE GUNS AND WHAT MY AMENDMENT ENTAILED WAS TO TAKE THE FEDERAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND EXTEND IT TO COVER ALL GUN SALES INCLUDING PRIVATE GUN SALES AND TRANSFERS.

THAT WAY I THINK IT IS AN AMENDMENT THAT'S SINK RON US WITH THE ASSUMPTIONS OF THE BILL AS STATED BY THE AUTHOR AND WOULD, IN FACT, PROVIDE A GOOD SAFETY NET THE MAKE SURE EVERYONE WHO PURCHASES A GUN IS FILTERED AND SCREENED FOR THESE LAWFUL ABILITY TO OWN A WEAPON.

>> NOW, SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT YOUR BILL FROM REPUBLICANS DEALT WITH HEIRLOOMS.

THE FOCUS WAS ON, WELL, GRANDMA HAS A GUN, WANTS TO PASS IT ALONG TO GRANDSON AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH A BACKGROUND CHECK.

>> ACTUALLY, THE AMENDMENT HAS SOME VERY COMMON SENSE CARVE-OUTS THAT ALLOW FOR SOME OF THESE TYPES OF GUN TRANSFERS THAT WOULD NOT REQUIRE A BACKGROUND CHECK.

SO SOME OF THESE EXCEPTIONS THAT ARE IN THE AMENDMENT ARE HEIRLOOMS OR REPLICAS OF GUNS THAT ARE INHERITED, GUNS THAT ARE INHERITED THROUGH A TRUST, GUNS GIFTED FROM FAMILY MEMBERS, LIKE FROM A SPOUSE TO A SPOUSE OR A GRANDFATHER TO A GRANDSON, THAT KIND OF THING.

THAT WOULD NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH A BACKGROUND SYSTEM BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S CULTURE AND HERITAGE BEHIND GUN OWNERSHIP AND THESE THINGS WOULD BE PRESERVED WITHOUT A BACKGROUND CHECK AS LONG AS IT IS REASONABLY EXPECTED THE PERSON BEING GIFTED THE GUN WOULD NOT USE IT TO INFLICT HARM OR THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

THESE ARE REASONABLE CARVE-OUTS IN LISTENING TO GUN OWNERS WE WOULD RESPECT.

HOWEVER, GENERALLY SPEAKING, I THINK I HAVE NOT HEARD REASONING THAT BACKGROUND CHECKS DO NOT SERVE AN IMPORTANT PURPOSE.

>> WHAT WORRIES YOU MOST ABOUT THE BILL BECOMING A LAW?

>> WHAT WORRIES ME MOST IS THE INCREASED EASY AVAILABILITY FOR GUNS FOR PEOPLE WHO WE THINK AS A SOCIETY WE GENERALLY AGREE SHOULD NOT HAVE EASY ACCESS TO WEAPONS THAT ARE NOT FILTERED OUT BY BACKGROUND CHECK SUCH AS CONVICTED FELONS, PEOPLE WITH DRUG ABUSE OR ILLICIT DRUG ADDICTION.

I THINK WE CAN AGREE NOT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE SUCH EASY ACCESS TO GUNS, AND WITHOUT THE SAFETY SCREEN A UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECK WOULD PROVIDE, NOT HAVING A CARRY PERMIT SCREENING ALSO IN PLACE BASICALLY MEANS THERE ARE HUGE HOLES IN THE SAFETY NET THAT MEANS MANY MORE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD NOT CARRY WEAPONS WILL BE CARRYING.

>> YEAH.

I ASKED SENATOR ROBERTSON ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INCREASE IN SUICIDE RATES, AND HE SAID WE SHOULDN'T GET INTO THE HEADS OF INDIVIDUALS.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE'S TWO THINGS TO DISCUSS HERE.

ONE IS I THINK THAT WE OFTEN IN LEGISLATION WE ARE SEEING THIS SESSION TRY TO GET INTO THE HEADS OF INDIVIDUALS AND PRESUPPOSE WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO AND STOP THESE BEHAVIORS AHEAD OF TIME.

SO I DON'T THINK THIS IS SYNCHRONOUS WITH OTHER BILLS WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

THE OTHER THING WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT, AS WAS MENTIONED, IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TRY TO COMMIT SUICIDE THEY WILL DO IT WHETHER THEY HAVE A FIREARM OR NOT.

ONE THINGS WE NEED TO BRING UP IS THE LETHALITY OF A GUN.

WE CAN SEE WHEN PEOPLE USE FIREARMS AS THE MEANS TO COMMIT SUICIDE, THE SUCCESS RATE OR THE LETHALITY OF THE METHOD IS MUCH HIGHER.

PART OF HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH FOCUS THAT I KNOW WE ARE FOCUSING ON THIS SESSION AS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND WAYS TO HELP PATIENTS WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IS MAKING SURE THAT IMPULSIVE ACTIONS OR ACTIONS FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE NOT QUITE SO SUCCESSFUL IF THEIR GOAL IS TO HURT THEMSELVES OR, INDEED, HURT OTHERS.

>> I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO SEE.

THIS BILL IS ON TO THE HOUSE AND WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS OVER THERE.

>> I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECK DID NOT PASS.

I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT ADDITION.

>> YOU CERTAINLY PUT A FIGHT IN ON IT TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DOING THAT TODAY AND THEN COMING HERE TONIGHT, I APPRECIATE THAT.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> COMING UP, SHOULD A PUBLIC OFFICIAL CONTINUE TO GET PAID AFTER A GRAND JURY INDICTS THAT PERSON ON FELONY CHARGES?

THAT AND MORE WHEN WE RETURN.

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS."

>>> IS A PROUD PARTNER OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING AND GEORGIA "LAWMAKERS"S. CIGNA'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND PEACE OF MIND OF THOSE WE SERVE.

MORE AT CIGNA.COM TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT YOUR EMPLOYEES' PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

>>> "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

AFTER ALL, AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER 74 BILLION IN OUTPUT OF GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITAL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR AROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> GEORGIA HUMANITIES, CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS GEORGIA TO ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION, EDUCATION AND UNDERSTANDING.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.GEORGIAHUMANITIES.ORG.

♪♪ >>> WE ARE THE SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER.

AT SELC WE NOT ONLY TAKE ON THE TOUGHEST ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES, WE WIN, FORCING THE REMOVAL OF MORE THAN 250 MILLION TONS OF TOXIC COAL ASH, DEFEATING REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO BRING OFFSHORE DRILLING TO OUR COASTS AND SECURING CLEAN WATER AND AIR PROTECTION FOR COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR REGION.

YOUR MOST POWERFUL ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDER IS ROOTED RIGHT HERE IN THE SOUTH.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

SENATE BILL 337 GOES TO THE FLOOR TOMORROW.

IT IS MEANT TO TAKE AWAY COMPENSATION FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS INDICTED ON FELONIES.

JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND MORE IS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TOMMY BENTON OF JEFFERSON AND JACKSON COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

>> SO WE'VE HAD INSTANCES WHERE PUBLIC OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN INDICTED ON FELONY CHARGES IN THE STATE AND THEY CONTINUE TO GET PAID, BUT SB337 LOOKS AT ADDRESSING THAT.

SO TELL US FROM WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MIGHT DO.

>> WELL, IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE THE PERSON THAT'S BEEN INDICTED AND SIMPLY NOT REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE BUT NOT ALLOW HIM TO DO HIS JOB AND WON'T GET PAID.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD THAT SITUATION A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND SO IT -- IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE IS BEING VIOLATED IF THEY'RE NOT STOPPED FROM DOING THEIR JOB.

THEY'RE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE INDICTED DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE GUILTY.

IN FACT, EVERYBODY THAT'S EVER BEEN INDICTED THAT WAS FOUND -- EVERYBODY FOUND INNOCENT WAS INDICTED BY A GRAND JURY.

SO I THINK THAT SOME STRONGER THINGS NEED TO BE DONE.

ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ALL THEY ARE IS A CROSS SECTION OF THE PEOPLE THAT THEY REPRESENT, AND SO THEY NEED TO BE CAREFUL IN WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> YEAH.

I KNOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS TAXPAYER MONEY, AND IN THIS BILL IT SAYS ONCE A PERSON IS INDICTED FOR A FELONY IT CALLS FOR THE GOVERNOR TO CREATE A COMMISSION IMPOSED OF ATTORNEY GENERAL AND TWO PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO HOLD THE SAME OFFICE AS THE INDIVIDUAL INDICTED TO DETERMINE WHAT IS NEXT.

IS THAT THE BEST WAY TO GO, A COMMISSION MAYBE LOOKS AT IT?

>> THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE FAIREST WAY.

IT ALSO ALLOWS A PERSON TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS THEIR PEER TO BE PART OF THAT AS WELL.

>> EARLIER TODAY I SPOKE WITH THE SENATOR OF LAWRENCEVILLE ABOUT THIS BILL, AND HE BELIEVES PEOPLE INCLUDING PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO RECEIVE PAY UNTIL A CASE IS RESOLVED.

LET'S HEAR FROM HIM.

>> I CAN UNDERSTAND THE BILL.

THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THE BILL, THAT JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY IS INDICTED, NOT NECESSARILY IS GUILTY.

AND WHEN YOU ARE ELECTED OR WHATEVER POSITION YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE A FAMILY, YOU HAVE A MORTGAGE, YOU HAVE TO PAY YOUR BILLS, AND I THINK I'M A LITTLE BIT HESITANT TO SAY JUST TO STOP IT BECAUSE LIFE HAS TO MOVE ON.

I UNDERSTAND THE BILL SAYS IF YOU COME OUT CLEARED YOU CAN GET YOUR MONEY BACK, BUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE MEANTIME?

BECAUSE LIFE GOES ON AND YOU HAVE TO PAY THE BILLS.

THAT'S THE HESITANCE I HAVE, JUST TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, STOP THE COMPENSATION.

>> SO YOUR BELIEF IS PEOPLE ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY AND THAT THAT SHOULDN'T CHANGE WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE RECEIVING A PAYCHECK FROM THE STATE OR SOME OTHER MUNICIPALITY OR SOMETHING?

>> THE THING IS NOT EVERY INDICTMENT COMES TO A GUILTY VERDICT.

SO WE CANNOT JUST, YOU KNOW, AS I SAID BEFORE THAT LIVES MOVE ON, YOU HAVE TO PAY YOUR BILL, YOU HAVE A FAMILY, AND YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT YOUR -- NOT NECESSARILY YOUR LIFESTYLE, JUST TO SURVIVE.

AND SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY, YOU KNOW, JUST AWAY FROM ONE ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS, CANNOT AFFORD TO SURVIVE OR CONTINUE THEIR LIFE.

SO I'M A LITTLE HESITANT TO SUPPORT SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO I HAVE TO GIVE IT A LITTLE THOUGHT MYSELF.

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY.

IT IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

IT IS ABOUT THE LIFE.

IT IS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE HUMAN BEING.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A FAMILY, YOU HAVE CHILDREN.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VAST MAJORITY, IT COULD AFFECT ANYBODY, IT COULD AFFECT ANYBODY.

SO I'M THINKING ABOUT THE HUMAN SIDE.

I THOUGHT ABOUT IT WHEN I SAW THE BILL.

I THOUGHT ABOUT, YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD BILL, AND THEN WHEN I STARTED TALKING TO REGULAR FOLKS AND THEN I REALIZED IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A GOOD THING TO HOLD SOMEONE'S LIFE AT HALT.

>> SENATOR SHAK RAMAN.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS KIND OF AGREE ON THIS, EVEN THOUGH IT IS TAXPAYER MONEY GOING TO SOMEBODY INDICTED ON A FELONY THEY SHOULD GET PAID?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD GET THE MONEY.

I THINK THAT THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY REMOVED FROM THE POSITION THAT THEY WERE ELECTED TO.

WHEN YOU ARE ELECTED TO OFFICE, YOU ARE KIND OF HELD TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY THAN WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE.

>> BUT YOU WERE SAYING INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

YOU ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, SO YOU HAVEN'T LOST THE JOB, YOU ARE JUST NOT BEING PAID FOR IT RIGHT NOW AND YOU CAN'T DO THE JOB.

SO IF YOU CAN'T DO THE JOB, THEN I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD BE PAID FOR IT.

>> OKAY.

>> IF -- AND I REALIZE THEY'RE NOT ELECTED, BUT IF A TEACHER WERE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT THEY WOULD BE REMOVED AND WOULD NOT GET THEIR PAY.

>> RIGHT.

AND THEN THEY GET BACK PAY IF THEY'RE FOUND INNOCENT.

>> YES.

>> THAT'S A BIG PART OF IT, TOO.

>>> I WANT TO GET TO A BILL YOU HAVE, HR666.

THIS IS A BILL THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE SCHOOL BOARDS TO IMPOSE IMPACT FEES WHEN, YOU KNOW, THERE'S LARGE COMMUNITIES COMING IN.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TOYED WITH FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND FINALLY DECIDED TO INTRODUCE IT THIS YEAR MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH THAT WE'VE HAD IN MY HOME COUNTY OF JACKSON.

WE HAVE THREE SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND ALL ARE GROWING, AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS CAN'T KEEP UP.

THEY HAVE TO EDUCATE THE CHILDREN BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SAY SO IN WHAT GETS BROUGHT INTO THE COUNTY, HOW MANY HOUSES ARE ALLOWED TO COME IN FOR THE ACRE OR ANY OF THE ZONING.

AND SO THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT I FELT LIKE THAT WOULD BE A -- IT IS NOT REALLY A FIX, BUT IT IS A BAND-AID TO TRY TO GET SOME EXTRA MONEY TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN ORDER TO HAVE MONEY FOR MORE SCHOOLS OR FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS TO THE SCHOOLS, WATER LINES, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

>> YES.

YOU MENTIONED THAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE ABLE TO GET -- LIKE FOR THE CITY MIGHT BE ABLE TO IMPOSE AN IMPACT FEE, BUT SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN'T NO MATTER HOW MANY KIDS MAY BE COMING FROM AN APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT JUST CAME UP.

>> NO, AND THAT'S THE REASON IT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

WE HAVE TO ADD THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO THOSE THAT CAN ALREADY GET THE IMPACT FEE.

>> SO THIS WOULD BE GOING TO THE PUBLIC AND ASKING THEM WHETHER THEY SHOULD GO ALONG WITH AN IMPACT FEE?

>> RIGHT.

IT WOULD BE FOR THE PEOPLE TO VOTE ON.

>> SINCE YOU ARE A FORMER SCHOOL TEACHER, YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS ON THAT END WITH THE SCHOOLS.

>> YES, I DO.

AND THE GROWTH OF JACKSON COUNTY CAME AFTER I RETIRED, BUT WHEN YOU BUILD A NEW HIGH SCHOOL AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER YOU ARE ALREADY ROLLING IN MOBILE UNITS, IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT.

THAT WAS ONE THING ABOUT THE RECESSION, IT DIDN'T -- IT HURT A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS CAUGHT UP AND YOU DIDN'T SEE MOBILE UNITS OUT AT SCHOOLS ANYMORE.

>> OKAY.

>> FOR A WHILE.

>> JUST REAL QUICKLY, YOU ARE 18 YEARS AND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO COME BACK?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> YOU'RE NOT GOING TO RUN FOR REELECTION?

>> I'VE DECIDED THAT 18 YEARS IS ENOUGH.

I HAVE ENJOYED IT, AND SO I WILL LEAVE WHILE I'M STILL ENJOYING IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON TODAY.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "LAWMAKERS" TONIGHT.

YOU CAN JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER WITH THE #GPBLAWMAKERS.

DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN AT 9:00 P.M. ON YOUR GPB STATION.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 22.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪