GCO Believes...
The Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights doesn't just apply in certain locations or to special people favored by the government. The right of the people to keep and bear arms applies everywhere and to all of us without qualification. "Shall not be infringed" means SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.
Prior to July 1, 2008, the State of Georgia had many restrictions on where and how a law abiding citizen could carry a firearm. Coupled with a law so vaguely and poorly written that determining where one could legally carry was extremely difficult, many citizens never bothered to obtain a Georgia Firearm License to exercise their rights.
GeorgiaCarry.Org was incorporated on February 9, 2007 and from the beginning, we have fought against the powerful interests who seek to burden the exercise of our second amendment rights. Our first action was to sue Georgia's Probate Judges to force them to follow the law. We sued them to force them to issue license within a certain time frame as opposed to issuing them when they so desired. We also took them to court to remove their requirement of applicants to supply their Social Security numbers and employment information in order to obtain a license. Next, we took on Cities and Counties to force them to repeal their local gun bans, in violation of Georgia's Preemption Law (OCGA 16-11-173).
Working with Georgia State Senator John Douglas (R17) and State Rep. Tim Bearden (R68) in 2008, we began the process of expanding the number of places Firearms Licensees can carry, including restaurants that serve alcohol, public transit and parks. GCO filed an Amicus Brief in the Heller v. DC court case documenting the racist origins and intent of gun control.
In 2009, working with Senator Mitch Seabaugh, we took yet another step in restoring our 2A rights. In 2010, SB308, Senator Seabaugh's "Common Sense" gun bill was passed in the General Assembly and signed into law on June 6, 2010 by Governor Sonny Perdue. The signing of SB308 repealed Georgia's 140 year old Public Gathering statute, expanded the number of places a license holder could carry and expanded the number of people qualified to get a license by removing the life time prohibitions for misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions.
Much more needs to be done and GeorgiaCarry.Org will not stop until our nation's forefather's promise of "shall not be infringed" is achieved. If you share our belief that the Second Amendment doesn't have an asterisk, then join us in the fight for our Liberty.
GCO, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, and a mutual member have filed suit against Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr on account of Carr’s refusal to recognize Virginia concealed carry licences in Georgia. The complaint may be read here.
Jean Clare Smith, a doctor with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contacted GCO to complain about GCO’s efforts in the Botanical Garden case. She urged GCO to work on matters of importance to society, and has previously called for the Second Amendment to be radically changed. She asserts that “children” would appreciate it if GCO members would go to the range rather than advocate for enforcement of gun laws.
On September 1, 2016, the Superior Court of Fulton County ruled that land leased by the Atlanta Botanical Garden from the City of Atlanta is “private” and therefore subject to the rules established by the Garden (including a prohibition against carrying guns there). The opinion and other case documents may be found here.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 a ceremonial signing of SC HB 3799 was held in North Augusta, SC. In attendance via invitation was GCO Executive Director, Jerry Henry, State Representative Alan Powell along with several GCO members including, State Representative Rick Jasperse, Mike Poss and several other state representatives whose district borders South Carolina. Jerry Henry presented Governor Nikki Haley and SC State Representative Bill Hixon with GCO’s Good Neighbor Award for signing and sponsoring the bill.
L-R, GA State Representative Alan Powell, SC State Representative Bill Hixon, SC Governor Nikki Haley and Jerry Henry.
This was a ceremonial signing. HB 3799 has been in effect since 06/03/16.
GeorgiaCarry.Org is proud to announce the resurgence of the first ever GCO endorsed membership affiliate club, the “Gun Runners” Motorcycle Riders Club.
GCO Member Jud Kidney has taken the reigns as the Gun Runners Motorcycle Riders Clun Coordinator. Jud is currently making plans for a group ride to occure late summer/early fall and will be contacting current Gun Runners members with details when they are finalized.
The “Gun Runners” primary mission is to spread the word about responsible carry by riders and to promote GeorgiaCarry.Org within the motorcycle rider’s community. We have no dues, no initiation, no meetings, or any of the other complications of more organized clubs. The only requirement for Gun Runners membership is your GCO membership. What we do have is a passion for our Second Amendment rights and a love to ride. The Gun Runners welcome all riders on all sorts of motorcycles. No matter if you ride a trike, cruiser, sport bile, enduro or hog. Heck we even accept Gold Wing riders (*with a character reference). If you are interested in joining the Gun Runners, please email Jud Kidney at gunrunners@georgiacarry.org
From time to time, we like to share some of the correspondence we receive from some of the gun prohibitionists. Why they take the time to write to us is unknown and only reinforces our beliefs that we are doing what’s right by standing up for our second amendment rights. Your Executive Director appeared on MSNBC on July 4th. Just after the show was over, he received the following email from a M Woodward from the Boston, MA area:
This morning, South Carolina Governor Haley signed SC H3799 into law, recognizing our GWL’s in South Carolina. The bill is effective upon her signing so we now have reciprocity.
Please remember to check out the SC laws before carrying there and remember that they only allow concealed carry.
This is great news as we can now carry in all our neighboring states!!!
Please read and heed this media advisory from the US Attorney of North GA! Share it will all your friends and acquaintances.
In GCO’s case against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ ban on carrying firearms on their property, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Judge Harold Murphy presiding, has granted the Corps’ Motion to Dismiss. In ruling on the motion, Judge Murphy said that Corps property is a “sensitive place,” and that the Corps’ regulation does not burden the Second Amendment right as it relates to Army land. GCO is planning to appeal this decision. The order may be found here.
On May 9, 2016, the Supreme Court of Georgia reversed a ruling of the Fulton County Superior Court dismissing GCO’s lawsuit against the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. In the lawsuit, GCO and member Phillip Evans seek declaratory and injunctive relief against the Gardens because the Gardens claims to have the authority to ban guns on its property. The Gardens leases the property from the City of Atlanta, and state law prevents lessees of public property from banning weapons on such property. The opinion and other case documents may be found here.
