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GCO discussed in classroom setting at Jacksonville State University in Alabama

Jerry Henry — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:42:23 +0000

The letter below was sent from Jerry Strange to the GCO Board of Directors:

Gentlemen,

I thought you might be interested in this event that happened in my daughter’s Business Law class last night, at Jacksonville State University.

As part of my daughter’s senior year of classes, she is required to take a business law class. This class is taught by a professor who is a Board Member of Jacksonville State University, an attorney, and a Judge in the local districts.

It is a small class of maybe 30-40 students, and is taught in a very informal atmosphere. Last night’s topic centered around the impact that businesses or groups of people can have on the laws that affect them. He was trying to explain that groups of people cannot directly make laws about topics that interest them, but that by working in an organized group, they can have a major impact.

He discussed PAC’s, lobbyists, etc., and the way they work. This topic lead to a discussion about issues that had been raised in the past few years concerning JSU. One of the issues had been the carrying of firearms on campus. A group of folks tried to force a lawful action of stopping the carry, and it was shut down when it was explained that it was legal and has
been for quite a while. He explained that the group had not done their homework, and had no idea how the laws worked.

After some discussion, he asked how many students were from Georgia, and about 20 or so raised their hands. He then asked how many had heard of a group called, you guessed it, GeorgiaCarry!!! Only my daughter kept her hand raised. He asked how she was familiar, and she explained that she was a member, as was her dad.

He then went on to teach the class about our background and the way we have had such an impact on the Georgia firearms laws here in the State of Georgia. He used GCO as an example of how a group of people had worked together to influence the lawmakers in Georgia to reach a desired goal.

He then went on to explain that GCO also took on cases for individuals, if they felt it would better the citizens of the State of Georgia. As an example, he started telling about a recent event concerning a “fellow” who had a confrontation at a local State Park, when he was confronted by a ranger demanding to see his GWCL.

At this point, my daughter just busted out loud laughing. The professor asked why, and she had to explain that he was talking about her dad. He laughed, checked her last name, and then replied that he should have remembered the “Strange” last name.

He discussed the events, how it was handled, and used GCO as a model for a group of “citizens” using the legal system for the better good of the group. She told me he was very complimentary of our methods, and liked the methods we used.

Who would have thought, GCO used as an example, a “business model”, in a University in Alabama!

Sincerely,
Jerry Strange

GCO Member Andrew Dole is winner of Henry Big Boy Rights Ratification Rifle!

Jerry Henry — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:53:21 +0000

The winner of the Henry Big Boy Rifle is GCO member Andrew Dole, a paramedic from Athens. Andrew has been a member of GCO since March, 2008. Below is a picture of the lucky winner along with GCO Diamond Corporate Sponsor and Owner of Autrey’s Armory in Fayetteville, Ben Autrey. Ben donated the rifle and our newest Platinum Sponsor, GT Virtual Concepts in Newnan donated the beautiful engraving of the GCO logo.

L-R GCO Member Andrew Dole, Ben Autrey

The engraved logo on the Henry Big Boy Rifle has been programmed into a CNC machine and is easily reproducible from GT Virtual Concepts in Newnan. Contact Golda for pricing.

Andrew commented that this was the first thing he had ever won and only bought the ticket the day before the drawing. He stated he figured he was only donating his money to GCO, which he did as did everyone who bought tickets. Thanks to all who enter the raffle! Congratulations to Andrew Dole and many thanks to Autrey’s Armory and GT Virtual Concepts for their generous donations to this fundraiser.

Winning Number Announced in Henry Rifle Raffle

Jerry Henry — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:15:16 +0000

The Rights Ratification Rifle Raffle winning ticket number is 694. If you have that ticket, please follow the instructions on the back of the ticket.

If you did not win the raffle, please do not destroy your ticket as all tickets were not been sold. If the winning ticket is one that was not sold, we will extend the date of the drawing 60 days and try again. Someone will win the rifle, so please do not destroy you chances.

The Henry Rifle was donated to GCO by Diamond Corporate Sponsor, Autrey’s Armory in Fayetteville, GA. The Henry Rifle has a special serial number of GCO001 and the GCO logo is engraved on the receiver. The engraving of the receiver has been donated by GT Virtual Concepts located in Newnan, GA. GT Virtual Concepts manufactures billet machined AR-15 lowers. This is a beautiful, one of a kind rifle.

Rules:

The winning number will be the exact three numbers as they are drawn in the GA Lottery Cash 3 drawing held at noon on December 15, 2011. Tickets will be sold in random order and no person will be allowed to pick the number of any ticket purchased. Holder of the winning ticket will be required to produce the winning ticket in order to take possession of this rifle. Holder must also be eligible to own a firearm and will be required to complete any paperwork and background checks required by law in order to take ownership of rifle. Raffle is open to any citizen who wishes to participate, including Officers and Board Members of GeorgiaCarry.Org. Winners must notify Jerry Henry @ 404-550-3753 or via email – jhenry@georgiacarry.org in order to collect raffle prize. Rifle will be on display at Autrey’s Armory in Fayetteville when the engraving is completed until December 15. GeorgiaCarry.Org is a non-profit organization.

James Camp to run for State House District 68

Jerry Henry — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:58:11 +0000

James Camp, GCO Board Member and Founding Member of GCO has qualified to run for the State House District 68 seat vacated by Tim Bearden. District 68 includes part of Carroll and Douglas Counties. This is an opportunity for GCO Members to get behind James with your support and vote a real patriot in state government.

James believes that people are looking for leadership within their government to get our spending back within budgetary guidelines and to get government out of the way of the free market so we can pull ourselves out of this sluggish economy. James also believes that our sovereignty as a state has been eroded away by intrusive federal bureaucracy and that we need to get the federal government out of state rights issues and back within its limited power as mandated by the federal constitution.

James lives just outside of Temple, GA with his wife of 7 years, Misa. James has been employed as a senior IT technician for the past 5 years with a small IT consulting firm in Carrollton.

This is an important race, that stands to not only affect residents of House District 68, but the entire state of Georgia. James will be an incredible asset to those of us that are firearms owners, hunters, and honest hard working people.

Please visit James’ website at http://www.campforhouse.org/. Those who are available to volunteer to help James can contact him here.

Rights Ratification Rifle Raffle tickets on sale now

Jerry Henry — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:12:59 +0000

GCO is currently holding this raffle as a fundraising event. Funds from the raffle will be utilized to offset costs with lawsuits, help pay for the Annual Convention and maintain GCO’s sound financial condition.

Rules:

The winning number will be the exact three numbers as they are drawn in the GA Lottery Cash 3 drawing held at noon on December 15, 2011. Tickets will be sold in random order and no person will be allowed to pick the number of any ticket purchased. Holder of the winning ticket will be required to produce the winning ticket in order to take possession of this rifle. Holder must also be eligible to own a firearm and will be required to complete any paperwork and background checks required by law in order to take ownership of rifle. Raffle is open to any citizen who wishes to participate, including Officers and Board Members of GeorgiaCarry.Org. Winners must notify Jerry Henry @ 04-550-3753 or via email – jhenry@georgiacarry.org in order to collect raffle prize. Rifle will be on display at Autrey’s Armory in Fayetteville when the engraving is completed until December 15. GeorgiaCarry.Org is a non-profit organization.

Tickets for the Rights Ratification Rifle Raffle are now on sale through the GCO Store and will be available at gun shows and the recruiting venues that are listed in the Calendar of events while they last.

Tickets are $20 each and available here.

ED Stone to Run for State Senate District 28

Jerry Henry — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:26:58 +0000

GCO Board Member, Past President and a Founding Member of GCO has thrown his hat into the ring for the State Senate seat vacated last week by Mitch Seabaugh. District 28 includes Coweta, Heard, and parts of Carroll and Troup Counties. This is an opportunity for GCO Members to get behind Ed and vote for a real patriot in state government.

“Free markets lead to free men”, Stone said at the Newnan GOP Breakfast on October 8 in Newnan according to the Times-Herald article that can be found here.

This is an important race, that stands to not only affect residents of district 28, but the entire state of Georgia. Ed will be an incredible asset to those of us that are firearms owners, hunters, and honest hard working people.

Ed is former military, Law Enforcement officer, and is a practicing attorney in Coweta County. Can you, as a Georgia firearms owner, imagine what your life would be like without the support of GCO and Ed Stone’s foresight and leadership in the fight for second amendment rights?

Information on how you can help Ed Stone’s candidacy will be made available shortly.

Dekalb Chief Answers Fingerprint Delay Complaint

jrm — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:10:01 +0000

Dekalb County Police Chief William O’Brien has filed an answer to GCO’s lawsuit in which GCO complaints that the department takes longer than 30 days to process background checks for GWLs. In his answer, Chief O’Brien denies every allegation in the complaint except that he is the police chief. He even denies that he is responsible for the department. A copy of the answer may be viewed here.

GCO Member Obtains DNR Policy Change/Clarification

Jerry Henry — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:14:56 +0000

The following email was received from GCO Member, Jerry Strange detailing his dealings with the Department of Natural Resources concerning an encounter he had earlier in the year. This shows what strength we have as a group and as an individual if we decide to use that power properly. This is a very positive outcome due to Jerry’s due diligence.

During the third week of February, 2011, I was stopped and detained at Cloudland Canyon State Park to verify that I had a valid Weapons Carry License for my openly carried firearm.

During the encounter I was sitting at a picnic table, at my campsite, beside my campfire, getting ready to grill some steaks. My wife was sitting beside me, reading a magazine.

I was confronted by the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Ranger on duty, and advised that he needed to verify that I had a valid Georgia Weapons Carry License for my firearm. During the discussion about the legalities of his action, he insisted several times that he was within his legal right and legal authority to stop and demand to verify that I had a license. He advised that his training had been that he needed no Probable Cause, nor any Reasonable Articulate Suspicion on order to stop and verify.

After showing my license, I had an opportunity to speak to the Head Park Ranger, and to the Assistant District Attorney of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit concerning the encounter. All the parties involved continued to tell me they were acting within their authority and that any visitors to a Georgia State Park would be subject to the same treatment.

Knowing this was not correct, I contacted GCO Leadership and explained the situation. After some guidance and a letter or two from John Monroe, it is my opinion that the Assistant District Attorney changed his opinion, but the Department of Natural Resources staff would not.

I exchanged several letters via USPS and e-mails with members of the command staff, and asked for explanations of their behavior and actions. At first I was, in my opinion, “pushed off” by the Department of Natural Resources. It appeared to me they did not want to, and would not, answer any questions concerning their policy of stopping law abiding citizens while in Georgia State Parks.

During the month of July, I received an e-mail from a Commissioner in the Department of Natural Resources staff, who promised to look into my encounter, and the reason I felt it was wrong. At this point I provided relevant legal info and case law concerning citizen stops.

On August 24, 2011, I received the Opinion, Interpretation, and Ruling packet from the Department of Natural Resources. This packet is being sent to all the Command Staff at the Department of Natural Resources, and is to be circulated to all the Law Enforcement Officials that work for the Department of Natural Resources.

I would sincerely like to thank the leadership of GCO for their guidance, and to the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources for his open mind and follow through.

I think this is a great outcome, and I look forward to seeing the policy set in motion.

Jerry Strange

GCO Member

The Opinion, Interpretation, and Ruling can be read in full at this link.

Georgia General Assembly Session Began August 15, 2011

Jerry Henry — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:44:04 +0000

The Georgia General Assembly has been called into special session that began on Monday, August 15, 2011. Only redistricting and issues put in the Governor’s call can be voted on during the special session. There are no firearms legislation included in the Governor’s call.

Although this is a good time to visit with or meet your elected representatives and get to know them, it is not the time to push for firearm legislation as none will be heard or voted on during this special session. GeorgiaCarry.Org continues to work with the members of the general assembly in preparation for the 2012 session and expected action on firearms legislation for the upcoming year.

GeorgiaCarry.Org will continue to work in the same manner that has been so successful in the past in restoring our Second Amendment rights.

GCO Supplements Church Carry Reply

jrm — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:35:56 +0000

GCO has alerted the Clerk of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit of the recent ruling in the 7th Circuit, which held that law-abiding citizens are entitled to a higher standard of review for Second Amendment cases than intermediate scrutiny. GCO had argued that very point in its reply brief in its Church Carry Case. The 7th Circuit now has adopted GCO’s very argument. Federal Appellate rules permit a party to write a letter to the clerk of the appellate court to advise the court of new court decisions that are pertinent to the case. GCO’s letter may be viewed here.