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GeorgiaCarry.org
FormationFebruary 2, 2007
Membership
8,000+
President
Kelly Kennett
Vice President
John R. Monroe
Websitewww.georgiacarry.org

GeorgiaCarry.org (GCO) is a state-level gun rights organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the rights of its members to keep and bear arms as protected by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Paragraph VIII of the Constitution of the State of Georgia. On its website, the organization describes itself as "Georgia's no-compromise voice for gun owners." The organization is also referred to as Georgia Carry in conversation and press coverage. It is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Georgia. It has been described as Georgia's "powerful firearms lobbyist" that "makes the [National Rifle Association] look like a popgun group".[1]

It is engaged in activism such passing new legislation to affirm the rights of gun owners, such as Georgia House Bill 89[2] which was passed during the 2008 legislative session,[2] and litigating Second Amendment cases on the behalf of its members. It has recently been involved in litigation against the city of Atlanta regarding the carrying of firearms in non-secure areas of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport by citizens licensed to carry open and concealed firearms by the state.[3]

As of August 18, 2014, GeorgiaCarry.org has about 8,500+[4] dues-paying members. It has brought at least 13 federal and state lawsuits as of July, 2008.[5]

Lobbying Efforts

House Bill 615 (2009–2010)

Representative Timothy Bearden of the 68th, a GCO member, introduced HB 615 to the 2009–2010 session of the Georgia General Assembly.[1] If passed the legislation would have:[6]

  • Repealed the public gathering law
  • Repealed the requirement to possess a license to carry a handgun openly
  • Repealed the prohibition of carrying a firearm on a college campus
  • Prohibited the seizure of privately owned firearms during a declared state of emergency

House Bill 89 (2007–2008)

GCO was instrumental in crafting the 2007–08 session HB 89,[citation needed] which was passed into law with the May 14, 2008, signature of Governor Sonny Perdue. The legislation made many changes to the laws of the State of Georgia with regards to the carry of firearms. As of July 1, 2008, changes were made to laws that governed the carry of firearms by both those with a Georgia Firearms License and those who do not possess a license to carry.[2] (Unless otherwise noted, the text of the bill itself is the source for this section.)

For unlicensed persons, a man or women who is eligible for a Georgia Firearms License, but does not have one yet, can carry a firearm anywhere in his or her private motor vehicle. Previously a handgun could only be carried in the glovebox or center console. Among those who are enumerated as ineligible for a license are men and women who have not yet reached twenty-one (21) years of age and those who are not residents of the State of Georgia.[7]

For licensed persons, a man or women who possess a Georgia Firearms License (or a recognized out-of-state carry license),[8] the following locations became lawful for the carry of firearms:

  • A restaurant that derives more than fifty percent (50%) of its revenue from the sale of prepared meals or food
  • Georgia state parks, historic sites, recreational areas, and wild life management areas
  • Publicly owned buildings within state parks, historic sites, recreational areas, and wild life management areas
  • Public transportation, including buses and trains
  • Publicly accessible parking lots without regard to a company policy against the carry of firearms by employees

For a man or women who holds the office of constable, the law now permits the carry a firearm at school functions and on school property by added such persons to the exemption list in OCGA § 16-11-127.1.

The bill also created a new State felony offense for "Any person who attempts to solicit, persuade, encourage, or entice any dealer to transfer or otherwise convey a firearm other than to the actual buyer, as well as any other person who willfully and intentionally aids or abets such person".[9] This section is said to have been designed to prohibit gun dealer entrapment schemes, such as those orchestrated by Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg.[10]

Court Briefs and Actions

United States Federal Court

MARTA Case

GCO has sued the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority on behalf of Christopher Raissi, one of its members. It is claimed that Mr. Raissi's 4th amendment and 14th amendment rights were violated by his 30-minute detention,[11][12] at the Avondale station, by police for legally carrying a firearm.[13] The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division.

Zachary Nelson Mead v. Richmond County, GA, Sheriff

In December, 2008, GCO settled its 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Federal Civil Rights) lawsuit against Richmond County, Georgia, Sheriff Strength.[14] The order declared that the August 1, 2008, seizure, by Deputy Kadum Townsend, of Staff Sergeant Zachary Nelson Mead's openly carried pistol was a violation of the 4th amendment. The court awarded court costs and attorney fees to Staff Sergeant Mead and dismissed the remaining charges with prejudice[15]

District of Columbia v. Heller

GeorgiaCarry.org, through its attorneys John R. Monroe and Edward A. Stone, submitted an amicus curiae brief to the United States Supreme Court regarding District of Columbia v. Heller. The GCO brief's argument is summarized as:

The Petitioners recite a selective portion of the history of gun control laws in the District of Columbia, but omit portions of that history which demonstrate that the Petitioners' laws are deeply rooted in a racist attempt to keep arms out of the hands of the politically and economically disadvantaged. This brief will explore the racist history of gun control in the District of Columbia and throughout the country. It also will show how the principles of black oppression via gun control laws of yesterday are used to oppress the politically weak today via those same, and additional, laws.[16]

Dick Heller, the plaintiff in District of Columbia v. Heller, in an interview with radio talk show host Mark Walters, said that the GCO brief really opened his mind that the nascence of Jim Crow laws as gun control in the South. He said that when talking with the press or testifying before the city council, he will be sure to bring up that Jim Crow is alive in Washington, D.C.[17]

Georgia Court

GCO has proceeded against various county and city governments that have enacted or are enforcing gun regulations contrary to the State of Georgia's preemption law. The law specifies that "No county or municipal corporation, by zoning or by ordinance, resolution, or other enactment, shall regulate in any manner gun shows; the possession, ownership, transport, carrying, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing, or registration of firearms or components of firearms; firearms dealers; or dealers in firearms components".[18]

City of Atlanta Park Gun Ban

Based on precedence set in the Coweta County case, GeorgiaCarry.org sued the City of Atlanta over Atlanta Ordinance ~ 110-66, which prohibited the carry of firearms in Atlanta parks. On May 9, 2008, Doris L. Downs, Chief Judge of the Fulton Superior Court, ordered that "The City of Atlanta is hereby ENJOINED from enforcing Atlanta Ordinance ~ 110-66 to the extent it prohibits the possession of firearms in city parks".[19]"Needs secondary source"

Coweta County Park Gun Ban

One of GCO's first court actions was a lawsuit against Coweta County's ban on firearms in parks.[20] The organization lost the original case, but won on appeal. The Court of Appeals of Georgia reversed the lower court, ruling that "the county was prohibited from regulating carrying firearms 'in any manner' and that it was error for the lower court to have ruled otherwise".[21]

Corporate Structure

Two related corporations share the same Fayetteville, Georgia, principle mailing address and key people according to records kept by the Corporations Division of the office of the Secretary of State of Georgia.

GEORGIACARRY.ORG, INC., is a non-profit corporation that was incorporated in the State of Georgia on February 2, 2007.[22] GuideStar categorizes this corporation as a Civil Rights, Social Action, and Advocacy organization.[23]

GCO FOUNDATION, INC., is a non-profit corporation that was incorporated in the State of Georgia on February 11, 2008.[24] GuideStar categorizes this corporation as a Crime, Legal Related / (Crime Prevention N.E.C.) organization.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b https://web.archive.org/web/20100224022310/http://www.beaconcastmedia.com/news/Gold-Dome-Gunfight-Legislators-ShootOut-New-Bills-1601
  2. ^ a b HB89 from the GA General Assembly 2007-2008 Session
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ http://www.fetchyournews.com/archives/19600-Representative-Rick-Jasperse-Given-Legislator-of-the-Year-Award-by-Georgia-Carry.html
  5. ^ http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2008/07/19/georgiacarry_0720.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=13
  6. ^ HB615 Full-Text Current Version. Retrieved 2009-07-26
  7. ^ O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129
  8. ^ Georgia's Firearm Permit Reciprocity. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  9. ^ 2007-2008 Georgia House Bill 89, Section 2.
  10. ^ NRA Fights for Self-Defense Rights in Georgia. Retrieved 2009-07-27
  11. ^ GeorgiaCarry.org, Inc. and Christopher Raissi v. MARTA Complaint. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  12. ^ Man with gun sues MARTA after being detained. Retrieved 2009-07-25
  13. ^ Pro-Gun Group Takes Aim at MARTA (Video)
  14. ^ Spirit: Richmond County - Packing Heat. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  15. ^ Consent Order and Judgment in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia Augusta Division. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  16. ^ Georgia Carry's Amici Brief for the Supreme Court of the United States regarding District of Columbia v. Heller
  17. ^ AAR Broadcast Interview with Mr. Dick Heller and Mr. Dane von Breichenruchardt. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  18. ^ OCGA 16-11-173. Retrieved 2009-07-26
  19. ^ Order Granting Motion for Summary Judgment in Favor of Plaintiffs and Against the City of Atlanta
  20. ^ No ruling on lawsuit over guns in county parks (May 20, 2007). Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  21. ^ GCO Settles With Coweta County Over Parks Ban
  22. ^ GA Business Entity record for GeorgiaCarry.org, Inc., control number 07010121
  23. ^ GuideStar report on GeorgiaCarry.org, Inc. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  24. ^ GA Business Entity record for GCO Foundation, Inc., control number 08011841
  25. ^ GuideStar report on GCO Foundation, Inc. Retrieved 2009-05-30.


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