Parent sues Gwinnett to carry gun at school
A Gwinnett County parent has filed a lawsuit against the school district claiming it is violating his rights by preventing him from carrying a firearm at his child’s elementary school.
The parent, Phillip Evans, said he contacted the Gwinnett district to see if he could carry a gun at Centerville Elementary School in Snellville. Evans told officials that he believed legislation passed into law earlier this year, House Bill 826, allows licensed gun owners to lawfully carry a firearm on school property.
A Douglas County man filed a similar lawsuit in May, the AJC reported.
A Gwinnett official told Evans he would be committing a crime by carrying a gun at the school. Evans hired attorney John R. Monroe, who filed a lawsuit against the school district on Tuesday.
District officials said licensed gun owners cannot carry a firearm on school-owned or leased property. The gun owner must keep the firearm in a locked compartment of the vehicle, when picking up a child on school grounds, Gwinnett officials said, citing another bill signed into law this year, House Bill 60.
About the Author
Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.
