(The Center Square) — A Georgia lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that would give liability protection to property owners and gun manufacturers from “frivolous lawsuits.”
In a news release, state Sen. Jason Anavitarte, R-Dallas, indicated he will introduce the “Second Amendment Lawsuit Protection Act” in early February. According to a release, the measure would offer businesses immunity protection under state law against federal law changes and out-of-state lawyers.
“When Georgia passed my Constitutional Carry legislation last session, I promised Georgians that the only permit they’ll need to carry a weapon in the State of Georgia is the 2nd Amendment,” Anavitarte said in an announcement. “To make that promise a reality, we must ensure Georgia businesses and property owners can allow citizens to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights without fear of being sued solely because they permitted individuals to exercise those rights.
“With the increasing number of liberal local and state governments trying to roll back the immunity protections for gun companies, it is also important to send a strong message to gun manufacturers that Georgia is the right place to do business,” Anavitarte added. “To that end, The Second Amendment Lawsuit Protection Act aims to protect gun [manufacturers] domiciled in Georgia so they can continue to build these constitutionally protected tools unmolested by trial lawyers.”
Anavitarte previously proposed a “Second Amendment Tax Holiday Act” timed to the start of whitetail deer season. Senate Bill 344 would eliminate sales tax on firearms, ammunition and related accessories for 11 days, starting on the second Friday of October and running through the fourth Monday of October.
“The proposed legislation appears to be a countermeasure to laws recently passed in several other states expanding liability for companies in the firearms industry,” Kirk Evans, president of U.S. LawShield, told The Center Square via email. “As many manufacturers are leaving states that are less friendly towards gun businesses, this measure has a chance to benefit Georgia taxpayers by attracting those manufacturers and new ventures to the state. This could mean adding jobs and an increased tax base for Georgia.”
