Constitution Carry: Who Backs It In The Georgia Governor Race?

what candidate in georgia governors race aupports constitution carry

The 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election saw a contest between incumbent Governor Brian Kemp, who refused to overturn the results of the 2020 US presidential election, and Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams. Kemp's key messages included passing the strongest pro-life legislation in the country and making the largest state income tax cut in state history. He also pushed for the state's constitutional carry bill, which allows for the permitless carry of firearms. Kandiss Taylor, a conservative commentator, also supported constitutional carry.

Characteristics Values
Candidate Kandiss Taylor
Support for Constitution Carry Yes
Election Year 2022

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Kandiss Taylor supports constitutional carry

Kandiss Taylor, a conservative commentator and host of the show "Jesus, Guns, and Babies", was a candidate in the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial race. She ran against incumbent governor Brian Kemp, who was endorsed by former US president Donald Trump.

Taylor's support for constitutional carry is particularly notable given the context of the Georgia gubernatorial race. Georgia is a state with a strong gun culture and a significant number of gun owners. By taking a pro-gun rights position, Taylor may have sought to gain support from this important constituency. Additionally, with the race involving a Republican primary challenge to Governor Kemp, Taylor's position on constitutional carry could have been a way to distinguish herself from her competitors and attract voters who prioritize gun rights.

Furthermore, Taylor's support for constitutional carry sends a message about her beliefs regarding government intervention and individual liberties. By advocating for the right to carry a firearm without government-imposed restrictions, she aligns herself with a limited government and individual freedom ideology. This stance may have resonated with voters who share these beliefs and value their autonomy and personal responsibility.

Overall, Kandiss Taylor's support for constitutional carry is a key aspect of her political platform and communicates her commitment to conservative values, gun rights, and individual freedoms. In a competitive race like the Georgia gubernatorial election, this position could have influenced voter decisions and shaped the broader discussion around gun rights in the state.

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Brian Kemp pushed for constitutional carry

Brian Kemp, the incumbent governor of Georgia, pushed for constitutional carry during his first campaign in 2018. However, he did not mention the issue in his 2019, 2020, or 2021 State of the State speeches. On January 5, 2022, Kemp announced a push to loosen handgun rules and endorsed "constitutional carry". He said that he needed the legislature to pass a constitutional carry bill before he could sign it.

Kemp faced criticism from former US Senator David Perdue, who identified "constitutional carry" as a top issue and slammed Kemp for failing to deliver it. Perdue, with support from former President Donald Trump, announced in December 2021 that he was entering the governor's race. Kemp responded by saying that the view that people have the right to carry a firearm without state approval "has recently become popular for others as we enter campaign season."

On April 12, 2022, Kemp signed the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) and a license reciprocity measure (HB 218) into law. This allows Georgians to carry handguns in public without a license or background check. HB 218 also ensures that individuals licensed to carry a weapon in another state are authorized to do so in Georgia. Kemp stated that the bill was a public safety measure and that it stood up for the constitutional rights of citizens.

Kemp's push for constitutional carry, along with other conservative legislation, helped him win the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election by over 50 points, retaining Georgia's Republican trifecta.

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Stacey Abrams denounced constitutional carry

Stacey Abrams, the former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, denounced Governor Brian Kemp's proposal for Georgia to become the next "Constitutional Carry" state. In a statement released by her campaign manager, Lauren Groh-Wargo, Abrams and her staff joined in criticizing the move, calling it a "reckless proposal threatening Georgia lives."

Abrams, a Democrat, has long been an advocate for gun control. In 2018, she stated that Georgia needed to have a "thoughtful conversation about the national epidemic of gun violence and racially discriminatory policing." She also highlighted the need for reasonable restrictions to keep guns out of the wrong hands. Abrams's stance on gun control is evident in her voting record. In 2016, she voted against the "campus carry" bill, which would have allowed college students to carry concealed guns on campus.

In contrast to Abrams's position, Governor Kemp, a Republican, has supported loosening gun laws in Georgia. In 2022, he backed a bill that would eliminate the requirement for a weapons carry permit, allowing individuals to carry concealed firearms in public without a license. This proposal was met with swift reaction, particularly from the left, who viewed it as a political move to shore up support among voters.

The issue of gun control has been a point of contention in Georgia's gubernatorial race, with Kemp facing criticism for his refusal to support stricter regulations on firearms. Abrams, who narrowly lost the 2018 gubernatorial election to Kemp, has continued to voice her opposition to his policies, including his support for "Constitutional Carry."

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Kemp's bill eliminates the need for concealed carry permits

Governor Brian P. Kemp of Georgia was re-elected in 2022 for a second term. Kemp's refusal to overturn the results of the 2020 United States presidential election led to criticism from former president Donald Trump. Despite this, Kemp won the election by a large margin, signing conservative legislation such as permitless carry of firearms, which helped him gain support from voters.

On the other hand, critics argue that eliminating the permit requirement could lead to an increase in gun violence and make it more difficult for law enforcement to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands. They also argue that the bill undermines efforts to promote responsible gun ownership and ensure that gun carriers receive proper training and education.

Kemp's bill is a significant shift in Georgia's gun laws and has attracted attention from both supporters and critics of gun control. While the bill's impact on public safety and crime rates remains to be seen, it represents a victory for gun rights advocates in the state and underscores the ongoing debate over the balance between gun rights and gun control in the United States.

Kemp has also championed other notable pieces of legislation during his tenure, including efforts to crack down on human trafficking and support its victims, enact historic tax cuts for families, give teachers pay raises, and improve Georgia's K-12 education system.

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David Perdue criticized Kemp for not pushing for constitutional carry sooner

In the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor Brian Kemp faced criticism from former US Senator David Perdue, who challenged him in the Republican primary. Perdue criticized Kemp for not pushing for "constitutional carry" sooner, accusing him of being reactive in his measures.

"Constitutional carry" refers to legislation that eliminates the need for concealed carry permits for gun owners. Kemp had been working to pass Georgia's "constitutional carry" bill, tweeting his support for the Second Amendment and his commitment to getting the bill passed. Despite Perdue's criticism, Kemp successfully passed conservative legislation, including permitless carry of firearms, which strengthened his position among voters and contributed to his eventual victory in the election.

Kemp's focus on the Second Amendment and his conservative track record, including signing the Election Integrity Act in 2021, appealed to Georgia's Republican voters. Kemp's refusal to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election led to criticism from former President Donald Trump, who initially endorsed Perdue. However, Trump ultimately gave Kemp a last-minute endorsement in the general election, showcasing the complex dynamics within the Republican Party in Georgia.

Perdue positioned himself as an outsider and aligned with Trump's claims of an illegitimate 2020 election. He accused Kemp of "selling out" Georgia voters and not taking proactive measures to address their concerns. The criticism leveled at Kemp by Perdue highlights the intense competition within the Republican Party and the efforts by candidates to appeal to the conservative base in Georgia.

In the end, Kemp's track record and ability to sign significant conservative legislation outweighed the criticisms, as he won the Republican primary and the general election, retaining his position as Governor of Georgia.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Kandiss Taylor, Brian Kemp, and David Perdue supported Constitution Carry.

Incumbent governor Brian Kemp won re-election, defeating Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams.

Constitution Carry is a bill that eliminates the need for concealed carry permits for gun owners.

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