The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the state’s restrictions on handgun carry for individuals under 21, affirming that it remains illegal for this age group to carry a handgun in most public places. This unanimous decision follows a lawsuit from 20-year-old Thomas Stephens, whose application for a carry license was denied by Lumpkin County, sparking debate over the interpretation of the state constitution’s right to bear arms.
In their ruling, the justices emphasized that Georgia law grants the legislature the authority to regulate how firearms are carried, referring to a “manner clause” intended to limit such rights. Notably, the court reiterated the precedent of supporting legal restrictions on gun carry locations, such as in churches and courts. The decision stresses the challenge of proving state laws unconstitutional, which Justice Andrew A. Pinson asserts was not met in Stephens’ case.
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