This is the perfect excuse the state lawmakers have been looking for to wrest control of the airport out of the hands of Atlanta and put it under state authority as most international airports already are.

The gun issue is some arrogance on Franklin and DeCosta as no one is arguing about carrying a gun past security checkpoints, and I think they are going to lose big on this issue because it's going to also lead to the golden goose being taken away from them.

I don't really care either way on this one. I don't think walking around in baggage claim or the ticket counters/kiosks that I'm going to potentially be a victim of crime any time soon. Those aren't exactly areas known for violent crime ever happening. Of course, the absolute last thing I consider when boarding a plane is that it's going to be hijacked by terrorists, either. That's been done and any attack the next time will use an entirely different M.O.

Which international airports are under state authority?
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"Good guys" often lose it and shoot up places. I don't believe guns should be allowed in bars, eating establishments, movies etc and definitely not airports. I can't have toothpaste, shampoo or a nail file in my carry-on but someone can come into the airport packing heat. Give me a break--another dumb idea from our legislators. Too often, some macho type who feels his manhood has been questioned is ready to fight over some small remark. Right now it might end with some posturing between two roosters with a bouncer, manager, etc. diffusing the situation. If one or both had a gun it would be too easy to reach for it to settle the argument. I know I will not feel comfortable in restaurants, etc from now on knowing that bullets may start flying at any time. In a crowded place if someone does pull a robbery, and several people have guns the chances of an innocent bystander getting shot increases tremendously. I know everyone should learn how to handle a gun properly but do you really think everyone will go to a gun range and learn proper procedure. There will always be the macho guy who thinks he knows all there is to know. This is not the wild west and we are not all Wyatt Earps.

that the airlines should issue hand guns, to those that don't already have one, during the seatbelt instructions.

I would be willing to bet an airliner would NEVER be hijacked again.

Did you know that close to 80 million US citizens have a CCW permit?

Does it concern you that almost every third person at the local Kroger is armed?

I would like to make clear the fact that more than 25% of the citizens of Fayette county are ready and willing to defend ourselves to the folks of Clayton and Fulton Counties.

Your concerns about proper training are well founded. I personally would like to see mandatory training for anyone applying for a CCW. Then again, I wouldn't mind seeing more dead want-a-be criminals. That way our local law enforcement could better serve our community by instructing people how to correctly negotiate a 4-way stop.

what a novel idea---issue pistols as one enters the plane. My grandmother would love that!
I, however, would carry it further: have about twenty of them take turns standing by their seat with 20 others,with guns drawn and cocked and aimed. At 40,000 feet all those accidental bullet holes would let in a lot of fresh air.
I think the terrorists already have poisoned our spinach and tomatoes and are working on lake lanier--planes don't kill enough soon enough.
Want to stand around lake lanier with your pistol?
How about PTC lakes?

I have a gun in my home and would use it to protect myself if necessary. I have never doubted that I would be afraid to pull that trigger if my children or myself were ever in danger from an intruder. They are all grown now but they knew there was a gun in the house and they were taught to respect firearms. What frightens me is that guns are too readily available to every one. I do not know of any reason for any person who does not mean bodily harm to another to need Uzis and/or other guns of that type. I think there should be more restrictions on the sale of guns and sellers of guns should be more responsible in the sale of guns. I know there are rules and regulations but as with everything else, be it government or outside agencies--people do not abide by the rules. It seems everyone has a gun--every punk and every hothead. I must admit I don't have the solution--I do know many people have guns for protection but knowing what some people are like I worry about them almost as much as I do the thugs. I also know that many innocent children end up maimed or dead because of parents who do not have the sense to make sure their children cannot get to their firearms. There has to be a safe and sane answer.

and shared.

I can not and will not argue with your concerns for the innocent. You and I agree on that issue.

But then again I can not and will not allow myself or loved ones to be abused by a would be criminal.

I, like you, have no readily available answers to the problems our society faces with relation to crime.

I can say for a fact that I will feel no remorse should I be forced to remove a 'would-be' criminal from the gene pool.

The thugs who commit these crimes and the serial killers etc, deserve to be eradicated like the mad dogs they are. I am not a bleeding heart liberal who thinks because someone's "Momma' wasn't nice to him or because he wasn't popular growing up, or had a hard life, has the right to take what someone else has worked hard for. And I believe anyone who kills another person intentionally deserves to die--not to languish in prison for years with foolish appeal after appeal. I am talking about the cases when there is no doubt whatsoever. They say the death penalty is not a deterrent but I have never known anyone coming back after being put to death to commit another crime. A sure cure for recidivism.

There isn't a month that goes by that some aren't released as innocent due to new evidence!
If you think the news and juries never are wrong... we are in trouble!

Where there are credible eyewitnesses, a confession, and a heinous killing has occurred. Death Sentence. I agree, it has been an eye opener regarding those persons who have been found innocent due to new evidence and technology. Our judicial system has made mistakes. Another thought. Is death for a killer punishment or societies revenge? Is death worse than life in a 5x5 jail cell - isolated from human contact except for an hour a week? What about those who are willing to die? (One of the accused terrorists who is asking for the death penalty - so that he can be martyred) I'm just not sure that 'death' is always justice.