It's alright to pack in Atlanta public parks now.

Superior Court Judge Doris Downs Friday struck down an Atlanta law prohibiting carrying guns in public parks.

"She said the state law is clear," said John Monroe, the lawyer representing GeorgiaCarry.org, a Second Amendment advocacy group. "The city can't go out and arrest somebody for carrying a gun in a city park any more or, if it does, it is in contempt of court."

State law says only the Legislature can regulate where guns are permitted although city and counties had enacted firearm regulations. Monroe noted the group sued seven Fulton County cities for banning firearms in parks after winning a victory at the Georgia Court of Appeals to overturn a Coweta County ban. All the cities except Atlanta, modified their laws to conform with the appellate court's ruling, he said.

Atlanta City Attorney Beth Chandler defended the city's "valiant effort" in the face of the law. The city, noting the state prohibited guns in state parks, had hoped the Legislature would pass a law last session that allowed other governments to do the same.

Instead, the Legislature approved a bill allowing licensed gun owners to carry pistols in state parks and on MARTA. Gov. Sonny Perdue hasn't yet signed the bill into law .

"When we made the decision to fight, we had hoped the facts would be different at this point," Chandler said. "I don't regret our decision. We felt it was important to take strong measures to protect our citizens."

Monroe said it was unfair to pistol owners, who already have to be licensed by the state, to allow a patchwork of gun laws that put them at risk of criminal conviction. He noted people who have permits to carry pistols have to pass background checks before they are licensed and can't be convicted felons.

Shotgun and rifle toters, he said, face no licensing requirement unless they conceal them.

So can someone legally carry a loaded shotgun in Piedmont Park? "Sure they can," Monroe said.