According to Firearm Chronicles
Around the country, more sheriffs offices are starting to hit the “pause” button on concealed carry applications and renewals, and many court systems are implementing changes as well that could impact individuals who are either currently licensed to carry a firearm or those applying for their license.
In Ohio, the sheriffs in Belmont and Fayette counties are among those that have announced the suspension of concealed carry applications, and we’ll likely see this become more commonplace in the coming days.
Down in Georgia, the folks at GeorgiaCarry.org are asking probate judges to extend any active Georgia Weapons Licenses that might expire while the state’s judicial system is in a state of emergency.
On March 14, 2020, Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton declared a state of judicial emergency. Pursuant to his emergency powers, and pursuant to OCGA § 38-3-62, during the period of the order he has suspended, tolled, extended, and otherwise granted relief from any deadlines or other time schedules or filing requirements imposed by otherwise applicable statutes, rules, regulations, or court orders, whether in civil or criminal cases or administrative matters.
GCO takes the position that the expiration of a Georgia Weapons License (GWL) is a “deadline or other time schedule” of an “administrative matter” under the purview of judges, so that GWLs will not expire during the state of emergency.
For the avoidance of doubt, however, GeorgiaCarry.Org has asked the Council of Probate Judges to ask their members (i.e., the probate judges) to issue blanket orders extending GWL deadlines.
Unlike many other states, in Georgia open carry is only allowed if someone has a GWL, so open carry isn’t really a workaround for folks whose license may be expiring. Obviously this isn’t going to be the biggest issue for public officials in the days and weeks ahead, but it does need to be addressed, and not just in Georgia.