City of Savannah introduces new gun securing ordinance

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A new gun ordinance is coming to the city of Savannah.

This comes after city council members unanimously voted to approve it, something that has to do with properly securing your firearms and reporting it when they’ve been stolen.

Thursday was the final step after Mayor Van Johnson first talked about it back in August.

The ordinance calls for gunowners to safely secure their guns or firearms in their vehicle.

This comes after data shows that 83% of firearms stolen from vehicles in Savannah in 2023 were from unlocked cars.

This ordinance asks that if you leave a gun in your vehicle , you lock it up, in a glove box, console or your trunk.

It also asks that you make sure your firearm is not visible from the outside and that your vehicle is locked.

In addition, it calls on people to report their gun has been stolen within 24 hours of knowing that it’s missing.

A violation of any part of this ordinance would be penalized of up to a $1,000 fine or up to 30 days in jail.

“We need common sense gun laws in Georgia, and I’m committed to doing all I can to make sure that we’re able to find balance between someone’s right to exercise the second amendment rights, but the responsibility of people to be safe in their communities. That we’re able to balance the rights of the second amendment and the safety of second graders. That we’re able to balance the right of someone to carry a gun, and my right not to be shot by that gun,” said Mayor Van Johnson, City of Savannah.

Now that this ordinance has been approved, Mayor Johnson is calling for an intense awareness campaign throughout the city in the next 30 days.