At approximately 3 p.m. on May 14, 2008, Gov. Sonny Perdue signed HB 89 into law. The bill, sponsored and advocated by GCO, is the most important pro-gun legislation in the history of Georgia. When the bill takes effect on July 1, 2008, it no longer will be a separate crime, for people with firearms licenses to carry a firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol, on public transportation, or in state parks. The bill also relaxes car carry restrictions for people eligible for firearms licenses and tightens the time frames for issuance of firearms licenses by probate judges.

The author of the bill, Rep. Tim Bearden worked tirelessly to see it passed, and GCO thanks him for his unwavering support. Sen. John Douglas championed the bill in the senate. Both legislators recently received GCO’s Legislator of the Year and Senator of the Year awards, respectively. GCO congratulates the leadership and members of both the senate and the house for shepherding this important legislation, and the governor for signing it into law.
GCO also wishes to thank its many members who attended public hearings (that Maureen Downey of the AJC claims never occurred) and media events, and who contacted their legislators and the governor in support of the bill. Without the support of GCO members, this “dangerous bill” that makes Georgia “become less safe” (according to Ms. Downey) never would have been possible.

GCO has settled its suit against Fulton County regarding Fulton County’s ordinance banning the carrying a firearm in county parks. The county has repealed its ordinance. Under the terms of the settlement, Fulton County agrees to pay GCO for its attorney’s fees in exchange for being dismissed from the case.  Remaining in the case are Atlanta, Roswell, and Sandy Springs.

GCO has written Decatur City Manager Peggy Merriss, asking the city to repeal its illegal ban on carrying firearms in city parks.  A copy of the letter may be viewed here.

In response to a letter from GCO, Glynn County’s attorney has said the county anticipates “an ordinance amendment addressing your concerns.”  GCO’s attorney had written the county, asking that its ordinance banning carrying firearms in parks be repealed.  Both letters may be viewed here.

Senator John Douglas and GCO’s President Ed Stone have both written letters urging him to sign HB 89. Those letters can be viewed here:

Senator Douglas’ Letter

GCO President’s Letter

Also a new reason to urge the Governor to sign HB 89 is that the Department of the Interior has now published a proposed rule change for the National Park Service to allow concealed carry in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges as long as the state allows carry in their own parks and refuges. Since HB 89 would allow GFL holders to carry in State Park, then the only thing needed is for Gov. Perdue to sign HB 89 for GFL holders to be able to carry in National Parks when the proposed rule change goes into effect.

The proposed rule change is as follows for National Parks:
“A person may possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable
firearms within a national park area in the same manner, and to the same
extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport concealed,
loaded and operable firearms in any state park, or any similar unit of state
land, in the state in which the federal park, or that portion thereof, is
located, provided that such possession, carrying and transporting otherwise
complies with applicable federal and state law.”

On April 24, 2008, Mayor Franklin of the City of Atlanta, Georgia held a press conference to oppose enactment of HB89. Mr. Will Adams, a GeorgiaCarry.Org member listened to the press conference and transcribed it. The transcript is here.

In addition to Mr. Adams fine work, Mr. Andrew Mitchell, a GeorgiaCarry.Org Member composed this excellent Counterpoints video. This Counterpoints video can be veiwed at Google Video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2566480899153418287&hl=en

GeorgiaCarry.Org wishes to thank Mr. Adams and Mitchell for their hard work.

GCO’s attorney has written Gov. Perdue in response to the Georgia Restaurant Association’s letter to Gov. Perdue, urging the governor to veto HB 89.  A copy of both letters may be viewed here:

GCO’s Response Letter to Gov. Perdue

Restaurant Association’s Veto Letter

GCO has filed briefs supporting its motion for summary judgment and in opposition to Roswell’s and Sandy Springs’ motions for summary judgment.  The Fulton County Superior Court will hear these motions on May 9, 2008 in Courtroom 7F of the Fulton County Justice Center Tower. The briefs may be viewed here.

GCO has entered into a settlement agreement with the City of East Point, in a case filed by GCO against East Point and other Fulton County governmental entities over ordinances banning the carrying of firearms in parks.  East Point earlier had repealed its ordinance a replaced it with an ordinance banning carrying firearms to public gatherings.  After additional discussions with GCO, East Point has agreed to repeal the latter ordinance as well, coming into complete compliance with state law on the subject.  East Point also has agreed to reimburse GCO for its attorney’s fees.  GCO will drop East Point from the case after East Point complies with the settlement agreement.
Remaining in the case are Fulton County and the cities of Atlanta, Roswell, Sandy Springs.

The Superior Court of Coweta County granted GCO’s motion for summary judgment in GCO’s lawsuit against Coweta County challenging the county’s ordinance banning carrying firearms in county parks.

Consistent with the decision of the Court of Appeals in this case, the superior court has found the ordinance to be unlawful and preempted by state law.

The court’s order may be found at the bottom of the Coweta case page.