Perdue said that under the current version of the legislation, the Second Amendment right to bear arms trumps the private property rights of employers.
``NRA's been a friend to me and I've been a friend to them,'' Perdue told reporters following a speech to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, which opposes the bill.
``Georgia has been a friend to (the) NRA. It's a strong second amendment state. We plan to continue to do that.''
``But when we try to collide constitutional rights we really weaken both of them,'' Perdue said.
Perdue's comments come on the same day that the state Senate Rules Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the bill with an eye toward a vote by the full chamber later this week.
The legislation was scuttled last year in the wake of the deadly Virginia Tech massacre. The NRA has made it a top priority this year. Businesses are fighting the measure, saying they shouldn't be forced to have guns in their parking lots if they don't want them.
The showdown has placed Republican lawmakers in a tight spot. They are normally in agreement with both gun and businesses interests.
Perdue said he was hopeful a compromise could be crafted before the end of this year's 40-day legislative session.
Gov. Sonny Perdue
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/1/205819