Georgia lawmakers propose letting firefighters carry guns
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Coverage of firefighter hostage taking in Gwinnett County here & here
It has been nine months since a man in Gwinnett County lured five firefighters into his home by faking a possible heart attack, and, knowing they were not armed, took them all hostage at gunpoint.
The police SWAT team was able to rescue the firefighters, shooting and killing the gunman.
Some Georgia state legislators believe that incident is key evidence in support of their efforts to authorize firefighters, statewide, to carry their own firepower while out on calls.
Rep. Kevin Cooke, (R), Carrollton, introduced a bill Thursday, called House Bill 807, co-signed by several other House members, to permit firefighters to carry firearms while on duty, if they wish, and if they have the permission of their superior officers.
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State House Republican Kevin Cook is the author of House Bill 807, which would allow firefighters to carry firearms if their departments say it’s OK. (Clayton County Fire Chief Landry) Merkison said he has serious concerns about the bill.
“Am I creating a larger safety issue by implementing something that, perhaps, they are not trained to handle? Or would it put too much on them and I am taking the focus away from patient care and putting it more on the security of the environment,” said Merkison.
“I think there would have to be some serious conversations between not only the fire chief but the police chief and those county elected officials. We have to decide if this is something that the county elected delegation wants to see in their county,” Merkison said.
