Cherokee Cities Unlikely To Require Residents To Own Firearms

A proposal considered by Cherokee County's northernmost city to require its residents to own a firearm will most likely not gather much steam across the county.

The city of Nelson, which has a population of around 1,300 people and sits on the Cherokee-Pickens County line north of Ball Ground, is considering an ordinance to mandate the head of each household in the city to own a firearm.

Nelson City Councilman Duane Cronic told WSB-TV that the ordinance, an exact replica of a 1982 Kennesaw ordinance that requires every head of a household to own a gun, is needed as the city only has one police officer, Police Chief Heath Mitchell.

When the chief is off-duty, the city has to rely on the protection of the Pickens County Sheriff's Office and the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, which could lead to slower response times. 

In keeping with Kennesaw's ordinance, Nelson's proposal would grant exceptions to anyone who has personal objections, physical or mental disabilities, financial hardships and anyone convicted of a felony.

The ordinance, titled the Family Protection Ordinance, had its first reading during the City Council meeting on Monday. 

The description on the council's agenda states the law "would allow law-abiding Nelson citizens the legal right to keep a firearm in their homes for protection of person and property."

"This ordinance will help relieve the homeowner from the fear that they will be prosecuted should the homeowner be forced to use their firearm against a person with evil intent," it reads. 

Also, Cronic adds on the agenda description that he wants to use the ordinance "in opposition of any future attempt by the federal government to confiscate personal firearms."

The second reading and final approve is slated for the city's April 1 meeting.

Tell us: should cities require citizens to own firearms?

Woodstock hasn't had any discussion on the proposal.

"We've had zero discussions about this issue," City Manager Jeff Moon said. "Someone may bring it up, but I am not aware that they plan to do so."

Canton, Holly Springs, Waleska or Ball Ground are also not expected to consider the proposal.

"At this point there has been no interest from our elected body in following Nelson down this path," Ball Ground City Manager Eric Wilmarth said. "I don’t anticipate that changing."

Holly Springs City Manager Rob Logan added the city "has a lot going on right now," and the proposal most likely won't come up at a future City Council meeting.

"I can’t imagine we would want to take that on," he added. 

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