Georgia Carry : An information clearinghouse for Georgia Firearms License issues and news » Hartsfield Airport’s Firearm Ban

City of Atlanta Now Allowing Firearms in Hartsfield Jackson International Airport

Jerry Henry — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:13:27 +0000

Great News!! Law abiding citizens no longer have to worry about being disarmed in the Atlanta Airport.

The City of Atlanta Legal Department has informed the Atlanta Mayor and Atlanta Airport General Manager that persons with valid GWL’s can now carry in the non sterile areas of the airport. The Atlanta legal department determined after studying SB308 that it did not prohibit carrying firearms at the airport.

Channel 11 did the exclusive story here…

11th Circuit Bans Guns at Airport

jrm — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:02:33 +0000

In an opinion containing no legal analysis, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the U.S. District Court’s ruling that HB 89 did not decriminalize carrying guns in airports. A copy of the opinion and all the other court documents may be viewed here.

GCO Files Reply Brief in Airport Case

jrm — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:16:50 +0000

GCO has filed its reply brief in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals for its appeal of its case against the City of Atlanta for illegally threatening to arrest GFL holders for carrying firearms in the unsecured areas of the Airport. All the briefs in the case can be read here.

Brady Center and Georgians for Gun Safety File Airport Amicus

jrm — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:51:29 +0000

The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and Georgians for Gun Safety have filed an amicus brief in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals case between GCO and Atlanta over whether any existing law prohibits GFL holders from carrying firearms at the Airport. Ostensibly in support of Atlanta, the amicus brief does not cite any law that prohibits such carry. Rather, it claims that Georgia has no authority to regulate firearms at the Airport because federal law occupies this field completely, leaving no room for state regulation. The inescapable conclusion from the amicus brief is that because no federal law prohibits firearms in the unsecured areas of the airport and any state laws on this topic are preempted, no law prohibits guns in the unsecured areas of the airport.

Exactly.

It would frequently behoove those making an argument to examine the logical consequences of making it before inserting it into the public record.

Atlanta Files Brief in Airport Appeal

jrm — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:05:07 +0000

The City of Atlanta has filed its brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, where GCO is appealing a trial court decision that ruled HB89 does not apply to airports. In the case, GCO seeks to establish that Atlanta violates the civil rights of people by threatening to arrest them for carrying a firearm in the Airport when no law prohibits carry by GFL holders. The briefs in the case can be read here.

GCO Files Airport Brief on Appeal

jrm — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:17:29 +0000

GCO has filed its brief in support of its appeal in the Atlanta Airport gun case. GCO sued Atlanta in federal district court because of Atlanta’s threats to arrest people lawfully carrying firearms in the Atlanta Airport. The district court granted Atlanta’s motion for judgment on the pleadings, finding that GCO had not introduced sufficient evidence that HB 89 (which decriminalized carrying firearms “on public transportation” for GFL holders) applies to airports (overlooking the fact that a party is neither permitted nor required to introduce evidence in opposition to a motion for judgment on the pleadings). GCO has appealed the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. A copy of the brief may be viewed here.

GCO Appeals Airport Case

jrm — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:07:40 +0000

GCO has filed a notice of appeal from the September 26, 2008 judgment of the federal court in GCO’s case against the City of Atlanta regarding the City’s program of illegally searching, detaining, and arresting GFL holders for lawfully carrying firearms in the non-secure areas of the Atlanta airport. The appeal will be heard by a 3-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Federal Court Dismisses Airport Case

jrm — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:47:40 +0000

U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob granted the City of Atlanta’s motion for judgment on the pleadings and dismissed GCO’s lawsuit against the city over whether the city may arrest GFL holders for carrying guns in the unsecure areas of the Atlanta airport. In his order, Judge Shoob found that HB 89 does not apply to the Airport and thus state law continues to criminalize carrying a firearm in the Airport. GCO intends to appeal the order, which may be read here.

Airport Replies to Support Its Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings

jrm — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:18:50 +0000

Atlanta has filed a reply brief in support of its motion for judgment on the pleadings in GCO’s case seeking a declaration that no law forbids GFL holders from carrying firearms in the Atlanta airport. This motion is fully briefed and now goes to U.S. District Court Judge Marvin Shoob for a decision. The reply brief may be viewed here.

GCO Answers Airport Counterclaims

jrm — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:01:17 +0000

GCO has filed an answer to counterclaims from the City of Atlanta in a federal lawsuit over the legality of carrying firearms in the airport. In its counterclaims, Atlanta seeks a declaration that HB 89, the bill that decriminalized airport carry for GFL holders, is preempted by (an unspecified) federal law. The city also seeks an injunction against GCO and Rep. Bearden against carrying firearms at the airport. The documents may be viewed here.