Valdosta’s attorney has notified GCO that it intends to repeal two ordinances about which GCO threatened litigation.  One bans carrying firearms in parks, and the other regulates gun sales.  The modified ordinances will be made available when they are passed.  A copy of Valdosta’s letter to GCO may be viewed here.

In GCO’s continuing case against Fulton County governments for banning carrying firearms in their parks, Roswell has filed a response to GCO’s motion for summary judgment.  In its response, Roswell, relies primarily on the mootness arguments it raised in its motion to dismiss.  Roswell’s response may be viewed here.

Thanks to your efforts, HB 89 was passed in two landslide votes!

HB 89 is on its way to the Governor to sign.  Beginning July 1, it will no longer be a crime for GCO Members to bear firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol, State Parks (and the buildings thereon), Wildlife Management Areas, and on mass transit. This victory would not have been possible without the diligent efforts and leadership of GCO members Sen. John Douglas and, of course, Rep. Tim Bearden.

After the bill passed, Rep. Tim Bearden stated that your contacts made a difference on Friday when the situation appeared bleak.

You may watch Sen. Chip Rogers field hostile questions during the debate and final vote at the following link.

Fulton County and the City of East Point have filed a joint response to GCO’s motion for summary judgment in GCO’s suit against those two (and other) defendants for having ordinances banning firearms in parks.  Both defendants argue that the case is moot because they no longer regulate carrying firearms in parks (although East Point conveniently fails to mention that it now regulates carrying firearms to public gatherings within the city).  The defendants’ brief, which contains their amended ordinances, may be viewed here.

In response to GCO’s suit against it, Fulton County has repealed its ban on carrying firearms in its parks.  A copy of the revised ordinance may be viewed here.

Please urge your legislators to pass both HB 257 and HB 89!

The Senate passed a version of HB 257 yesterday that includes authority to carry a firearm in restaurants and on mass transit, two decades old Georgia restrictions that interfere with a GCO member’s daily life.

We thought you would be interested in reading two news items just released.

(1) Another gunfight may be brewing in the Senate

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2008/04/02/another_gunfight_may_be_brewin.html

Alice Johnson, the lobbyist representing Georgians for Gun Safety, smells a gunfight in the air.

She notes this morning that the Senate Rules Committee has put H.B. 257 on today’s calendar.

The bill adds constables to the list of law enforcement and judicial personnel permitted to pack heat in public buildings.

“The bill opens up the ‘public gathering’ section of the Georgia firearms code, and is a likely vehicle for language previously proposed by Rep. Tim Bearden in H.B. 89 and H.B. 915,” Johnson reports.

Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) asked for the bill last night, which makes it likely he would act as floor director for any amendments.

Parks have been the main target for those looking to lengthen the list of places where permitted owners can carry concealed.

The question is whether the National Rifle Association has any voice left in the Senate willing to re-start the fight over the right of employees to keep weapons in their cars parked on company lots.

GCO says anything that has Alice upset must be good for GCO.

(2) Giving Gunowners the Right to Carry Concealed on MARTA 

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/index.html

Today’s coming gunfight in the Senate could get interesting.

We’re hearing the deal that’s been cut on amendments to H.B. 257 would allow those with the proper permits to carry concealed in restaurants — even those that serve alcohol — and on MARTA.

One scenario theorizes that, once the bill is sent back to the House for its decision on whether to agree or disagree, the NRA-backed portion to allow employees to keep guns in cars parked on company lots will again be added.

But we’re hearing that one Senate Democrat, J.B. Powell of Blythe, will offer an amendment to that effect on the Senate floor, to ensure that the fireworks start that much earlier.

Remember the MARTA bus stop robbery and shooting Monday morning?  Why have a law that does not effect crime but disarms GCO members?  GCO expects this to be good news for 2008!