Carrying Concealed Problems

When one carries a weapon, there are certain forbidden places at which no one

can carry a weapon (unless you are a privileged one, which is for another day.)

The following locations are on the prohibited places list: schools, churches

(maybe), government buildings, jails, nuclear power plants and bars (unless the

bar grants that right).

However,

did you know that you can carry right up to the door of that facility, if you

have a permit that is?

OCGA 16-11-127 provides that for any such location, a person with a carry

permit may approach security at the forbidden location and ask for instructions

on transporting, storing or securing their weapon. More likely than not, the

permit holder will be told that no such secure location exists and will be

directed to store their weapon back in their car.

But the

law does provide for that option of on-site storage. So what are your chances

of finding such a courtesy in the local area?

I did some checking around for you to see if any government building provides a

storage location for your weapon. Superior Courthouse in Perry – no storage available,

unless you are a cop. State Courthouse in Warner Robins – no storage, and cops

are allowed to carry. City Hall WR – no. Perry – no. Centerville – no. Houston

County Annex – no. Houston County Schools Administration Building – no. No

nuclear power plants in our area, so that doesn’t apply.

In other

words, local governments make no accommodation for storing of weapons, so don’t

even bother showing up armed.

HP512, pending in the Legislature, would allow permit holders to carry a

firearm in a government building that does not have a security guard on duty.

Further, if one sees a security guard and returns their weapon to their car,

one would have committed no crime. HB512 will change the landscape on many

firearm issues if it passes and is put into law. I’ll let you know what

happens.

Kelly Burke, former district attorney and magistrate judge, is engaged in

private practice where he focuses on personal injury cases. These articles are

not designed to give legal advice, but are designed to inform the public about

how the law affects their daily lives. Contact Kelly at kelly@burkelasseterllc.comto comment on this article or suggest articles about the law that you’d like to

see.

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