FPC Files Appeal in Lawsuit Challenging Georgia’s Ban on Handgun Carry by Young Adults

[Charlie T Waite]

DUBLIN, GA (October 12, 2022) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that it has filed an appeal in Baughcum v. Jackson, its lawsuit challenging Georgia's ban on the right to bear arms as to young adults. The notice of appeal, along with other case documents, can be viewed at FPCLegal.org.

On October 6th, Judge Dudley Bowen Jr. of the Southern District of Georgia dismissed the lawsuit, saying that “Plaintiffs have not presented a case or controversy between themselves and the Probate Judge Defendants within the meaning of Article III. Thus, the Court does not have jurisdiction over their claims.”

“For reasons unclear to anyone, Judge Bowen expected our plaintiffs to apply for a carry permit that they were ineligible for based on the plain - and unconstitutional - reading of the statute,” said FPC Director of Legal Operations Bill Sack. “But the law does not require individuals to undertake futile acts to establish their Article III standing. Instead of facing this unconstitutional ban on the fundamental rights of young adults head on, the district court punted, plain and simple. Now the Eleventh Circuit will get its chance to properly apply the Bruen standard and knock down this law.”