Current:Home > BackGeorgia city rules that people must lock empty vehicles when guns are inside-InfoLens
Georgia city rules that people must lock empty vehicles when guns are inside
View Date:2024-12-23 15:14:14
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Coastal Georgia’s largest city will require guns left in empty vehicles be securely stored, an effort that Savannah Mayor Van Johnson says is meant to cut down on gun thefts from unlocked cars.
“We are not trying to take anybody’s guns — that is a constitutional right granted by the Second Amendment,” Johnson, a Democrat, told reporters. “But we do think with the right comes a responsibility to maintain and secure this right. I am still going to carry my gun. But I am also going to lock my gun up.”
The ordinance passed Thursday will also require people to report gun thefts to police within 24 hours. City officials plan to begin enforcement after a 90-day educational campaign. No one spoke against the ordinance during public comment, while it was supported by members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
The move is part of a focus by gun control advocates on keeping guns secured. They unsuccessfully pushed in Georgia’s legislative session earlier this year to give people a $300 state income tax credit to pay for gun locks, gun safes and safety classes. The focus on safety partly reflects that more restrictive measures are blocked because Georgia’s state government is controlled by Republicans and because recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have left many gun control measures on shaky legal footing.
Minnie Gilbert, whose grandson was shot to death in 2020 and daughter was shot to death in 2023, said Savannah’s new law will help cut down access to illegal weapons. The law comes with maximum penalties of a $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail.
“With this ordinance, lock up your weapons otherwise you’re going to be held responsible,” Gilbert said. “This should make more people more conscious and more self-aware of what’s happening.”
Savannah police reported 244 guns stolen from vehicles last year in the city of 148,000. Of those thefts, 203 came from unlocked cars. The trend is similar so far this year, with 56 of 69 thefts coming from unlocked cars.
Under the ordinance, guns left in vehicles must be securely stored in a glove compartment, console, locked trunk, or behind the last upright seat of a vehicle without a trunk. People will also be required to keep unoccupied vehicles locked when there’s a gun inside.
“Every gun thief knows that guns are under these seats, they are in center consoles, and that is not hiding it,” said Johnson, who introduced the ordinance on April 2. “That is certainly not securing it. When you leave your car, you take it with you. Because it is supposed to be in defense of you — it is not in defense of the car. The car can’t defend itself.”
Among supporters was Savannah Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan, who entered politics after her son was shot and killed in 2015.
veryGood! (33942)
Related
- Cavaliers' Darius Garland rediscovers joy for basketball under new coach
- Utah school board member who questioned a student’s gender loses party nomination for reelection
- Lenny Kravitz works out in leather pants: See why he's 'one of the last true rockstars'
- Atlanta United hosts Philadelphia Union; Messi's Inter Miami plays at Arrowhead Stadium
- Indiana in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings? You've got to be kidding
- US border arrests fall in March, bucking seasonal trends amid increased enforcement in Mexico
- Inside the Shocking Murder Plot Against Billionaire Producer of 3 Body Problem
- Utah school board member who questioned a student’s gender loses party nomination for reelection
- Vikings' Camryn Bynum celebrates game-winning interception with Raygun dance
- Saddle Up to See Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Date at Polo Match in Florida
Ranking
- Bull doge! Dogecoin soars as Trump announces a government efficiency group nicknamed DOGE
- CBS daytime show 'The Talk' ending with shortened 15th season this fall
- French athlete attempts climbing record after scaling Eiffel Tower
- JoJo Siwa Addresses Claim She “Stole” Her New Song “Karma” From Miley Cyrus and Brit Smith
- Human head washes ashore on Florida beach, police investigating: reports
- How far back can the IRS audit you? Here's what might trigger one.
- Get Gym Ready With Athleta’s Warehouse Sale, Where You Can Get up to 70% off Cute Activewear
- Grammy-nominated artist Marcus King on his guitar being his salvation during his mental health journey: Music is all I really had
Recommendation
-
Caitlin Clark shanks tee shot, nearly hits fans at LPGA's The Annika pro-am
-
Who made cut at Masters? Did Tiger Woods make Masters cut? Where cut line landed and who made it
-
Trump to host rally on Biden’s home turf in northeast Pennsylvania, the last before his trial begins
-
Prince Harry scores goal in charity polo match as Meghan, Netflix cameras look on
-
How to protect your Social Security number from the Dark Web
-
Inside the Shocking Murder Plot Against Billionaire Producer of 3 Body Problem
-
This week on Sunday Morning (April 14): The Money Issue
-
Guilty plea by leader of polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border is at risk of being thrown out