Atlanta airport gun ban faces protests

Officials at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International have declared the building a "gun-free zone".

This follows a new state law in Georgia which expands the rights of gun owners and allows residents to carry licensed firearms on public transportation.

The Georgia House Bill 89 came into force on Tuesday and means members of the public can take concealed weapons into parks, recreational areas, and restaurants.

However, the airport has maintained that this piece of legislation will not apply to air passengers and does not change its existing "gun-free zone" policy.

Ben DeCosta, General Manager at the airport, said: "My message is simple: Leave your firearms at home."

A lawsuit has now been filed against the airport by gun rights groups who claim the terminal qualifies as public transport.

Local Republican Tim Bearden who backed the state law has also backed the lawsuit and told the Los Angeles Times: "I fully expect the Georgia courts will rule in favor of gun rights."

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