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 their supply 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 The signing of SB308 repealed Georgia's 140 year old Public Gathering statute, expanded the number of places a license holder could carry and expanded the number of people qualified to get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.
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.
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 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.
GCO has filed a petition for writ of mandamus in the Superior Court of Dekalb County against Dekalb Police Chief William O’Brien, over the department’s consistent several-weeks delays in fingerprinting GWL applicants. GCO has been working with the department for over a year, attempting to negotiate a resolution to this issue. The department has failed to respond to GCO’s communications since January. A copy of the complaint may be viewed here.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has announced that it will hear oral arguments in GCO’s church carry case. The case challenges the state law banning carrying firearms in places of worship. The case was dismissed by federal judge C. Ashley Royal, who determined that there is not a second amendment right to carry firearms in church and that the free exercise clause of the first amendment is not implicated by the ban. The state had objected to oral argument, but the court has ordered it over the state’s objection. Argument will take place in Atlanta the first week of October, with a firm date to be announced in early August.
Be prepared to have a FUN day at your range this summer. Shooting is always fun, but when it is FREE, it ‘s even better:Bill Stanley will be visiting participating ranges throughout the state from June 1 to July 31, 2011. On the day GCO is at your range (or one nearby), if you:Join GCORenew your membershipExtend your membership (September expiration forward)You can shoot for FREE (compliments of your range and GCO)Bill will be visiting the ranges listed below from June 1 through July 31, 2011.As an added incentive, anyone who joins, renews, or extends their membership during the June 1 to July 31 time frame will be automatically entered in a drawing for a Stainless Steel Ruger P95, 9MM semi-automatic pistol. The pistol was donated by GCO Platinum Level Sponsor Stoddard’s in Douglasville. The P95 has a suggested retail value of $424.You do not have to sign up, renew, or extend your membership at one of the ranges to be eligible. Anyone who signs up during that time frame no matter where or how they signed up is automatically entered. The drawing will be held at the GCO Third Annual Convention and you need not be present to win. GCO Board Members, Officers and the Executive Director are not eligible for this drawing.
July 30 – Saturday – Hi Caliber Firearms in Holly Springs, GA, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Today, GCO filed its reply brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in its case challenging the constitutionality of the state ban on carrying firearms in places of worship. The court announced yesterday that it desires to hear oral arguments of the appeal. No date has been set, but it likely will be in the fall. Briefs in the case may be viewed here.
The State of Georgia and other appellees have responded to GCO’s appeal in GCO’s case challenging the state ban on carrying firearms in places of worship. The briefs may be viewed here.
GCO has filed its opening brief in the appeal of the dismissal of its case challenging Georgia’s ban on carrying firearms in places of worship. The brief and other documents in the case may be viewed here.
