GCO supports most of the stated goals of the Coalition, and thinks the effort is laudable.  The reason GCO did not join is because the conditions of joining require the Board of GCO to abdicate its authority to set the policy for GCO.  The Coalition requires members to support all positions taken by the Coalition and do not allow for modifications to such positions or to documents created.  In short, the members of the coalition have no editorial or managerial control over the coalition.  GCO’s board did not believe it would be the responsible thing to do to turn over policy making to an unaccountable and uncontrollable third party group.  It is not even clear who is in control of the Coalition, given that the members of the coalition are not.

The GCO board therefore chose instead to continue to advocate its own positions.  It is entirely possible, and even likely, that GCO will endorse actions and positions taken by the Coalition.  But the Coalition will not be empowered to speak for GCO under the conditions imposed.

It has come to GCO’s attention that the City of Atlanta is in violation of state law. Atlanta’s Code of Ordinances, Part II, Article IV, Chapter 142, § 142-88(d), represents local gun and knife control and as such, violates O.C.G.A. § 16-11-173 which expressly preempts all local regulation of the carrying or possession of firearms, and O.C.G.A. § 16-11-136 expressly preempts local regulation of the carry and possession of knives.

The letter can be found here.

We at GeorgiaCarry.org, like other parents, grandparents, neighbors, and citizens, are absolutely horrified by the senseless killings of innocent children and adults in Newtown, Connecticut this past week.  The families and loved ones of those involved need their communities’ and their nation’s support and prayers during these difficult days ahead.

We, as a nation, are right, in the comings weeks, to have a discussion regarding how to prevent such violence in the future.  Unfortunately, the perpetrator of this evil act did not respect the lives of others.  The list of laws, including gun laws, that he broke is lengthy.  A person prepared to slaughter innocent children and take his own life is not deterred by laws.  We believe, as we always have, that an armed citizenry is the best omni-present defense against such acts.  Citizens, including teachers and school administrators, should have an opportunity to defend themselves and the children in their care against attacks such as these.

The reality in this present world is that evil exists.  Law-abiding men and women of good will and courage, as a free people, deserve the right to protect their own lives and the lives around them.  As the coming political discussion develops, we will argue with logic, facts, and reason, to make that right become a more full reality.

The Supreme Court of the United States is expected to consider GCO’s petition for certiorari in the church carry case on January 4, 2013. At a conference, the court decides whether to take a case. Conference decisions generally are reported the following Monday, or January 7.

GCO has petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States to take an appeal of the so-called “church carry” case, in which GCO challenges a Georgia law banning carrying firearms in churches. GCO brought the case in the Superior Court of Upson County, Georgia, which removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. The federal court dismissed the case and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal. GCO now seeks to have the nation’s highest court review the decision. In the appeal, GCO asserts that the First Amendment’s “free exercise” clause prohibits states from banning activities in churches when such activities generally are permitted elsewhere in the state. The documents may be viewed here.

After GCO threatened litigation against the Chehaw Park Authority for banning firearms in the Chehaw Park, the Authority reversed itself and agreed not to prohibit GWL holders from carrying handguns in the Park. GCO still is in discussion with the Authority over the extent of the Authority’s ability to regulate long guns within the Park, but for now, GCO members with GWLs are free to carry their handguns. The Authority also acknowledges that it should not stop people to see if they have a GWL.

Federal District Judge Thomas Thrash granted GCO’s motion to intervene in the Rev. Markel Hutchins’ ill-conceived lawsuit against Georgia’s “Stand Your Ground” law on Friday, September 28, 2012. Judge Thrash also granted GCO’s second motion to dismiss the case on account of Rev. Hutchins’ failure to obtain service or process on either defendant, Attorney General Sam Olens and Gov. Nathan Deal. GCO’s first motion to dismiss (for failure to state a claim) therefore became moot. The documents may be read here.

GCO’s next raffle will be a Nighthawk Custom GRP 1911 in .45ACP with custom GCO grips from SGMGrips.  Tickets are now available on the web at the GeorgiaCarry.Org Store. 

This is a terrific pistol that most 1911 owners would love to have.

There are 1,000 tickets numbered from 000 to 999. The winning number will be the exact 3 numbers drawn in the Georgia Lottery Cash 3 game at noon on February 9, 2013.  Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100.  (When ordering on line, if you buy 5 tickets, we will give you another ticket for free (select quantities of 5 and we will include the extra ticket(s) when we mail them to you).

Tickets will be sold in random order and no person will be allowed to pick the number of any ticket.  Holder of the winning ticket will be required to produce the winning ticket in order to take possession of pistol.  Winner must 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 the pistol.  Raffle is open to anyone who is eligible to own a firearm and wishes to participate, including Officers and Board Members of GCO.  Winner must notify Jerry Henry @ 404-550-3753 or via email at jhenry@georgiacarry.org in order to collect raffle prize.

The Nighthawk will be on display at GeorgiaCarry.Org Diamond Corporate Sponsor, Autrey’s Armory, 116 Bethea Road, Fayetteville, GA 30214 – Phone 770-719-2454 – Autrey’s Armory

GeorgiaCarry.Org wishes to thank Autrey’s Armory for their help in obtaining this pistol.  Good luck to those who enter!

GCO Attorney John Monroe wrote a letter to the Chehaw Park Authority in Albany, Georgia, asking the authority to stop banning people from possessing guns in the park. A copy of the letter may be viewed here.

GCO Member John Morgan won the S&W 686 donated by GCO Diamond Corporate Sponsor Autrey’s Armory in Fayetteville.  The revolver was decked out in a nice pair of bolo wood grips from GCO Corporate Sponsor SGMGrips from Savannah.  John picked up the revolver on Tuesday, August 14 and is shown below with Ben Autrey of Autrey’s Armory.  Congratulations to John and Thanks to Ben Autrey of Autrey’s Armory and Michael Gailey from SGMGrips.

John was the 3rd from the last to purchase his raffle ticket proving it is never too late to purchase a ticket.