Georgia Governor Debate • NSSF

October 20, 2022

By Larry Keane

One of the biggest elections for a Governor’s race is in Georgia where voters will decide whether to keep Republican Gov. Brian Kemp or replace him with Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams. It’s a rematch from four years ago and this time, the #GUNVOTE® will play a critical role in deciding the winner.

Election Day is less than three weeks away and the two gubernatorial candidates faced off in a debate to tell Peach State voters where they stand on the issues, including the Second Amendment.

Gov. Kemp’s Results

The Second Amendment played a prominent role in the only debate between incumbent Gov. Kemp and challenger Abrams. Gov. Kemp has made firearms and protecting Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Georgians a hallmark in his first term. He’s not only recruited firearm industry businesses to relocate into Georgia that are creating jobs but he also ushered through and signed into law major Second Amendment legislation, like Constitutional Carry.

Gov. Kemp highlighted why taking those political stands are important to all law-abiding Georgians. Georgians, like the rest of America, are buying record numbers of firearms and shattering gun owner stereotypes.

“We’re going after the people that are doing these gun-related crimes. And the largest-, fastest-growing segment of the population that’s buying handguns and firearms is African Americans and females,” Gov. Kemp told viewers. “You know why? Because the criminals are the only ones that do have the guns.”

That statement is supported by firearm industry retail data noted in media, showing a significant growth in gun purchases by African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and women. Overwhelmingly, these buyers told retailers they were lawfully purchasing firearms for self-defense.

Gov. Kemp also highlighted the endorsement of several law enforcement organizations of his campaign. Abrams, couldn’t point to a single one, due to her support of soft-on-crime prosecutors and defund the police policies.

Abrams Antigun Approach

Abrams ran against Gov. Kemp four years ago and her antigun platform hasn’t changed much since, even while law-abiding Georgians have purchased firearms in large numbers since that race. All told, more than 1.4 million Georgians have bought a firearm since 2020, according to NSSF-adjusted NICS data.

During the debate, Abrams attempted to blame the lawful firearm industry and Gov. Kemp for the rising crime across the state.

“Gang crime is up. Gun violence is up. Street gangs are one part of the problem but we have a governor who has weakened gun laws in this state, flooded our streets with guns by letting dangerous people get access to these weapons,” Abrams said.

Criminals do not get firearms legally from retail after passing a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) verification, according to recent FBI data. Those convicted of crimes involving firearms admit to obtaining them illegally, including through theft and the black market.

Abrams vowed to repeal Georgia’s Constitutional Carry law. There’s more. She’d also push strict gun control, including enacting universal background checks for private firearm transfers and imposing so-called “red flag” laws lacking Due Process rights protections. She describes these proposals as “obvious and the common-sense gun safety rules that do not infringe upon anyone’s ability to carry.”

Not to worry… she has plans for criminals too. Just not good ones.

She would also enact a “clean slate” program that would wipe out offender criminal records if they don’t commit further crimes in a set time period.

Early voting in Georgia has already begun and Election Day is less than three weeks away. The #GUNVOTE will play a critical role in the outcome of Georgia’s gubernatorial race and voters will cast their ballot accordingly so they don’t risk their rights.

You may also be interested in:

Stacey Abrams’ Georgia #GUNVOTE Hypocrisy

NSSF Profile Q & A: Governor Brian Kemp (R-Ga.)