Georgia’s attorney general, Chris Carr, has stated that the city of Savannah overstepped its authority by passing an ordinance that made it illegal to leave firearms in unlocked cars. The ordinance was aimed at reducing gun theft, with statistics showing over 200 guns stolen from unlocked vehicles in the previous year. Carr argues that regulating firearms is a matter of statewide concern and that local governments cannot impose such restrictions.
Carr’s letter to Savannah officials is likely to lead to a court battle over the city’s ability to enforce gun safety measures. A lawsuit has already been filed seeking to halt the enforcement of the ordinance. Despite this, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson has stated that the city will continue to enforce the ordinance. Johnson, a former police officer, believes the ordinance encourages responsible gun ownership while respecting Second Amendment rights.
The Savannah city council unanimously passed the ordinance requiring parked vehicles to be locked when guns are stored inside and people to report gun thefts within 24 hours. Gun control advocates supported the ordinance, but efforts to implement a state tax credit to pay for gun locks and safety classes failed in the state legislature. Carr referenced past court rulings that have struck down gun restrictions imposed by local governments and warned Savannah officials of possible civil liability for enforcing the ordinance.
Savannah police have reported numerous gun thefts from vehicles, with the majority occurring in unlocked cars. Prior to the city taking action, gun control advocates were unsuccessful in convincing state lawmakers to enact gun safety measures. The city ordinance has faced backlash from gun rights advocates, with the attorney general’s intervention putting its future in question. Savannah’s efforts to regulate firearms will likely continue to generate debate and legal challenges in the coming months.
Despite the opposition, Johnson and the city council remain committed to enforcing the ordinance as a way to address the issue of gun thefts and promote responsible gun ownership. The clash between local and state regulations on firearms highlights the ongoing debate over gun control laws in Georgia. It remains to be seen how the legal battle over Savannah’s gun ordinance will unfold and whether other cities in the state will face similar challenges in their attempts to regulate firearms.
Overall, the conflict between Savannah officials and the attorney general underscores the complexities of gun legislation in Georgia. The city’s efforts to address gun theft through local ordinances have sparked controversy and legal action, raising questions about the balance between public safety and Second Amendment rights. As the debate continues, stakeholders on both sides will closely monitor the outcome of the court battle and its implications for gun regulations in Savannah and beyond.
