The new
Georgia gun law that took effect Tuesday allowing legal gun-owners to take their firearms into places such as bars, restaurants, schools, and churches will help prevent crime and shootings, says Rep. Paul Broun.
"We know that when law-abiding citizens who know how to utilize a firearm have one on their person, it helps prevent crime," Broun told J.D. Hayworth and John Bachman on "America's Forum" Tuesday on
Newsmax TV.
"So this is a law that is going to help prevent shootings, it's going to help prevent crimes," the Georgia Republican said.
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"We've seen these school shootings all across the country, and we've seen where there has been a shooting with someone there that has the ability to protect themselves actually prevent kids from being shot," Broun said.
He said that the concept of gun-free zones has actually backfired.
"The shooting in Aurora, Colo., happened at a movie theater that is a theater that advertised that they were a gun-free theater," he explained. "And the crazy person passed several other movie theaters and went to one where he knew that he had the ability to go about his dastardly deed, heinous deed, with no one there to be able to stop him."
"These gun-free areas are actually free shooting zones for people because they know that there won't be anybody there that can stop them," congressman added.
Broun said that while the new gun law in Georgia "expands the places people who have a carry permit can take their firearms," individual schools, churches, and businesses are allowed to opt out of the provision if they decide they don't want gun-owners bringing firearms onto their specific property.