A misunderstanding between Callaway Gardens and Georgia Carry has left one of the state’s biggest gun advocacy groups scrambling to find an alternate venue for its annual summer convention — all because members wanted to be able to carry their weapons openly.
The problem became apparent this week, more than two months after Georgia Carry first asked representatives of Callaway Gardens if it could hold its summer meeting at the resort. Georgia Carry executive director Jerry Henry said he and another member openly carried their firearms during that February trip and were told it shouldn’t be a problem.
With that in mind, they added a self-written amendment to their proposed contract saying they could carry their firearms at the resort during their meeting Aug. 2-3. They also talked with another Callaway staff member who told them it would be OK.
But then the gardens’ legal team got involved and noted one big problem:
“Unfortunately, two team members did not properly convey our weapons policy, which — like many other family-friendly destinations — does not permit weapons on the premises,” Callaway Gardens spokeswoman Rachel M. Crumbley said in a statement Thursday. “In addition, GeorgiaCarry.org’s amendment to our contract voided any tentative agreement. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused GeorgiaCarry.org and its members, and are happy to host them with the adherence to our existing weapons policy.”
It comes on the heels of the gun group’s involvement in legislation that would have significantly expanded where Georgia gun owners can carry their weapons. The session ended with lawmakers taking no action on the proposal, but it’s likely to be favorably considered next year. Both the advocacy group and Callaway Gardens said the proposed legislation played no part in what happened, although the gun group’s leader said he was frustrated the issue was not ironed out sooner.
The resort is privately owned and legally allowed to ban weapons on its grounds. Although some members of the 8,200-member Georgia Carry have called for a boycott, the group’s leader has not. Henry said he is more focused on finding a new venue for the convention, which he expects to attract 300-400 members.
“They (Callaway Gardens) can do whatever they want to,” Henry said. “I just wish they had said something sooner.”
About the Author
