ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers started their 40-day legislative session Monday with a poignant appeal from a lawmaker whose family is now reeling from gun violence.
Lawmakers of both parties agree they’re against gun violence, but history suggests the lawmaker’s cry for help is unlikely to bridge the partisan divide on gun policy.
State Rep. Sandra Scott’s cousin was Brandon Harris. The Forest Park man was shot to death while he was helping a client with her taxes – attacked, police said, by the client’s estranged boyfriend.
"It happened to my family on Friday. It could happen to yours tomorrow," Scott, a Democrat from Rex, told her fellow representatives from the well of the House moments after the 2024 session began Monday.
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Last year, Scott helped introduce five bills to curb firearms access. None of them have gotten even a committee hearing. Before she spoke, activists roamed the Capitol calling on lawmakers to require safe storage of firearms in people’s homes – a bill opposed by gun rights backers who control the issue at the capitol.
"I know the discussion is really around public safety. The priority of our caucus is to make sure Georgians feel safe particularly in their own homes," House GOP leader Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula) told reporters Monday.
Republicans said they expect lawmakers to cut taxes and enable some choices for parents with kids enrolled at low performing public schools. In recent years, they have expanded gun rights, not restricted them. Scott thinks that needs to change.
"I need them to do something now. It's too much. We’re having too many killings, too many shootings. And it’s time we do something about gun safety," Scott said.
Scott’s name is on about one-third of the 15 gun restriction bills introduced by Democrats last session and still pending this year. Republicans agreed to a hearing on only one of those bills. They all remain stalled as this year’s session begins.