Georgia AG Chris Carr Files Lawsuit Challenging Savannah Gun Ordinance

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has filed a lawsuit challenging a local ordinance passed by Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and the City Council that requires firearms to be securely stored when left in unlocked vehicles, with penalties including fines and jail time. Carr argues that the ordinance infringes on Second Amendment rights and conflicts with state law, emphasizing that firearm regulation is a matter of statewide concern that local governments cannot override. The ordinance aims to reduce gun thefts from vehicles, highlighting police data showing most stolen guns were taken from unlocked cars. The move has intensified tensions between the state attorney general and the Savannah mayor, with Republican legislators also opposing the ordinance and attempting to introduce legislation allowing fined gun owners to sue the city for damages. Despite the controversy, Savannah city officials maintain the ordinance is a public safety measure to address the high rate of firearm thefts. The legal battle reflects broader conflicts over gun control and local versus state authority in Georgia.