Cody Tlacuatl says he openly carries an AR-15-style rifle in downtown Savannah to exercise his Second Amendment rights. Mayor Van Johnson acknowledged that Tlacuatl’s actions are not illegal under the circumstances described, while raising concerns about public safety and how people may react.
Georgia law generally allows people who are not prohibited from possessing firearms to carry long guns openly in permitted public places without a weapons carry license. The law has restrictions for certain locations.
People interviewed downtown had differing views. Some questioned carrying a rifle near families and children; others said they did not object as long as no one was harmed.
Tlacuatl said he began openly carrying the rifle in Hinesville several months ago and plans to keep visiting other cities. Johnson said he hopes state lawmakers will revisit Georgia’s gun laws to balance Second Amendment rights and public safety.
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
