Governor Kemp Vetoes Bill That Would Have Blocked Gun Storage Penalties
Gov. Brian Kemp blocks legislation targeting Savannah’s ordinance that fines drivers for leaving guns unsecured in vehicles.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Governor Brian Kemp vetoed legislation Monday that would have prevented local governments from penalizing motorists who leave firearms unsecured in parked vehicles.
Senate Bill 204 specifically targeted ordinances like one enacted in Savannah that imposes fines of up to $1,000 and 30 days in jail for leaving guns in unlocked vehicles. The measure had passed the state legislature earlier this year.
Veto Protects Law Enforcement
In his veto statement, Kemp explained that the legislation would expose law enforcement officers to lawsuits for enforcing local ordinances they had no role in creating.
“I wholeheartedly support increasing the monetary penalties for local governments that attempt to impede the rights of lawful weapon carriers; however, such penalties should be targeted towards the leaders who enact such ordinances, not the officers who are tasked with enforcing them,” Kemp wrote.
Savannah’s Ordinance Shows Results
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson praised the governor’s decision, calling his city’s ordinance a common-sense approach to preventing gun thefts. Johnson reported that the measure reduced stolen gun reports in Savannah by half between 2024 and 2025.
“This is an issue that many of the metros are dealing with,” Johnson said in a phone interview. “We found a way to be able to respect the Second Amendment and protect second graders. We found a way to be able to protect the Second Amendment and to promote the safe storage of weapons, firearms, in cars. And it was threading the needle, but I think we found a good balance.”
Johnson emphasized that the ordinance does not restrict firearm ownership. “We don’t have a problem with people having firearms,” he added. “We just want them to do what law enforcement officers recommend, and that is just to secure them if you’re not around them.”
Broader Safety Implications
The vetoed bill would have eliminated local authority to enforce secure storage requirements for vehicles, potentially affecting similar ordinances in other Georgia municipalities facing gun theft problems.
Gun safety advocates welcomed Kemp’s veto as a victory for local control and public safety measures. The decision allows municipalities to maintain their ability to address gun theft through storage requirements without fear of state preemption.
The veto comes as Georgia communities continue grappling with rising rates of firearms stolen from vehicles, which law enforcement officials say often end up being used in other crimes.
