Politics
Dems, Unions Spar Over Gun Laws While Deciding Location For 2024 Democratic Convention
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Democrats are arguing amongst themselves over the location of the 2024 Democratic Convention, citing concerns that Georgia’s gun laws will fail to protect attendees, according to the New York Times.
Lawmakers in Chicago, Illinois, and Atlanta, Georgia, are deep in debate over the 2024 national convention, with Illinois lawmakers concerned that Georgia gun laws will fail to protect attendees, and Georgia Democrats saying that gun laws have “no particular impact” on the decision, according to the NYT. Alongside Georgia and Illinois, union leaders are arguing that the convention should be held in Chicago, as the city aligns with President Joe Biden’s stance on unions, saying he is the “most pro-union president in history.”
“It just creates a tense environment,” Charles H. Ramsey, who works in security consulting, told the NYT about Georgia’s gun laws. “To me it’s an issue.”
Many Democrats are worried that Georgia’s open-carry laws could pose a problem for security, but also seek a union-friendly city, according to the NYT. Union officials are pushing the Biden administration to support Chicago for the convention, as the city has more than 30 unionized hotels – Atlanta only has two.
“Joe Biden is the most pro-union president in history, and having it in a pro-union town reinforces that record and sends a message,” political and legislative Director of the International Association of Iron Workers Ross Templeton told the NYT.
Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman told the NYT that Atlanta has successfully hosted several large events since it passed its open-carry law, saying the city has a good security relationship with federal, state and local law enforcement, according to the NYT.
Georgia Gun Laws Weigh on Atlanta’s Bid to Host 2024 Democratic Convention – The Latest York Timeshttps://t.co/IXLjoBdpY5
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“Atlanta offers an enormous amount of historical and current symbolism. It’s obviously the home of the civil rights movement but also more recently the home of, you know, wins by Senators Ossoff and Warnock,” Shipman said. “I think there are a lot of different factors that go into that calculus. I’m not sure that the gun laws are going to have any particular impact on the decision.”
In April 2022, Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed Georgia’s concealed-carry law into effect and repealed the law that required residents to obtain a license and undergo a fingerprint background check.
“SB 319 makes sure that law abiding Georgians – including our daughters and your family, too – can protect themselves without having to ask permission from state government,” Kemp said in a statement about the law.
“Passing this essential legislation has been a priority for the NRA for many years, and we’re thrilled to celebrate this huge success,” Jason Ouimet, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, said following Georgia’s decision to pass the law.
New York is the third choice for the convention, according to the NYT.
Biden, Kemp and The Democratic National Convention did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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