A Georgia gun owner's attorney has requested a judge to halt the enforcement of a Savannah city ordinance that penalizes individuals for leaving guns inside unlocked cars. The lawsuit, filed by the gun owner, could potentially set a precedent on whether city officials can legally regulate gun safety in a state where gun restrictions have been largely abolished by Republican lawmakers.
In April, Savannah's mayor and city council unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting the storage of firearms in unlocked vehicles, with fines of up to $1,000 and a maximum jail term of 30 days. The officials argued that this law would deter criminals from stealing guns, citing over 200 guns reported stolen from unlocked vehicles in the previous year.
The gun owner, who resides in Jesup, Georgia, but frequently visits Savannah, filed the lawsuit in May. His attorney argued that the city ordinance violates a state law that prohibits local governments from regulating the possession, ownership, transport, or carrying of firearms.
The Georgia Attorney General also supported this argument in a letter to Savannah officials, warning them of potential civil liability for enforcing the ordinance. However, the city officials maintained their stance, with the mayor emphasizing the ordinance as a means to promote responsible gun ownership without infringing on gun rights.
During a court hearing, the city's attorney contended that the ordinance primarily regulates the storage of guns in vehicles, not the firearms themselves. He argued that while it is legal to store a gun in a car in Savannah, the vehicle must be locked when unattended.
Despite only a few citations issued by the Savannah police for guns left in unlocked cars, the legal battle over the ordinance is expected to continue. The judge raised questions about the gun owner's legal standing to sue the city due to his non-residency, setting a deadline for further legal briefs to be filed.
If the lawsuit proceeds, the judge anticipates a lengthy legal process that may involve multiple courts in Georgia, acknowledging the complexity and potential implications of the case.
