Located in Kennesaw, Georgia, one can find all the charm of a small Southern town, complete with the delicious scent of freshly baked biscuits from Honeysuckle Biscuits & Bakery and the distant hum of passing trains. It’s a place where newlyweds often express their appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere by leaving handwritten thank-you notes in local coffee shops. However, there is a unique aspect of Kennesaw that may surprise some – a city ordinance dating back to the 1980s mandating that residents must own firearms and ammunition.
Mayor Derek Easterling, a three-term mayor and retired Navy veteran, explains that the law is not enforced in a strict or invasive manner. Residents are not required to openly carry weapons, and authorities do not conduct checks to confirm compliance with the law. The ordinance states that every head of household within city limits must possess a firearm and ammunition for the purpose of safeguarding the safety and welfare of the community.
Exemptions are granted to individuals with certain disqualifying conditions, such as mental or physical disabilities, felony convictions, or religious objections. Despite the law being in effect since 1982, there have been no reported cases of prosecution or arrests for non-compliance. The consequences of violating the ordinance remain unclear, as no specific penalties have been outlined.
Although some view the gun law as a symbol of the city’s strong gun culture, others consider it a relic of history that no longer reflects modern values. Mayor Easterling emphasizes that the law serves a practical purpose in promoting community safety rather than being a mere symbolic gesture. Supporters of the ordinance believe that it acts as a deterrent to potential criminals, enhancing the overall security of Kennesaw.
While Kennesaw has recorded no homicides in the year 2023 based on police department data, there have been two gun-related suicides. Despite the low incidence of violent crimes, opinions differ on the law’s impact. Some residents attribute the city’s safety to the responsible gun ownership and collective mindset of protection prevalent in Kennesaw. In contrast, others like Blake Weatherby, a local groundskeeper, believe that it is the community’s attitude towards violence, rather than the presence of guns, that contributes to the town’s safety.
The gun ordinance was enacted in response to a national trend in gun legislation, with Kennesaw becoming known for requiring gun ownership following a ban on firearms in Morton Grove, Illinois. While initially met with amusement by some, the law garnered attention in national media, including a prominent feature in Penthouse Magazine titled “Gun Town USA: An American Town Where It’s Illegal Not to Own a Gun.” Similar gun ownership mandates have been implemented in several other cities across the United States.
Despite its historical significance, the enforcement and relevance of Kennesaw’s gun law have gradually waned over the years. Council member Pat Ferris, who joined the city council shortly after the law’s enactment, describes it as more of a political statement than a practical necessity. As time
“I don’t know how many people even know that the ordinance exists,” he said. Blake Weatherby says that growing up, his father told him, “if you’re a man, you’ve got to own a gun.” The same year the gun law took effect, Mr. Weatherby, the church groundskeeper, was born. He recalled a childhood where his dad would half-jokingly tell him: “I don’t care if you don’t like guns, it’s the law.” “I was taught that if you’re a man, you’ve got to own a gun,” he said. Now 42, he was 12 years old the first time he fired a weapon. “I almost dropped it because it scared me so bad,” he said. Mr. Weatherby owned over 20 guns at one point but said now he doesn’t own any. He sold them over the years – including the one his dad left him when he died in 2005 – to overcome hard times. “I needed gas more than guns,” he said.
One place he could’ve gone to sell his firearms is the Deercreek Gun Shop located on Kennesaw’s Main Street. James Rabun, 36, has been working at the gun store ever since he graduated high school. It’s the family business, he said, opened by his dad and grandad, both of whom can still be found there today; his dad in the back restoring firearms, his grandad in the front relaxing in a rocking chair. For obvious reasons, Mr. Rabun is a fan of Kennesaw’s gun law. It’s good for business. “The cool thing about firearms,” he said with earnest enthusiasm, “is that people buy them for self-defense, but a lot of people like them like artwork or like bitcoin – things of scarcity.” Among the dozens and dozens of weapons hanging on the wall for sale are double barrel black powder shotguns – akin to a musket – and a few “they-don’t-make-these-anymore” Winchester rifles from the 1800s.
Deercreek Gun Shop is located next to a Confederate memorabilia store. In Kennesaw, gun fandom has a broad reach that extends beyond gun shop owners and middle-aged men. Cris Welsh, a mother of two teenaged daughters, is unabashed about her gun ownership. She hunts, is a member at a gun club, and shoots at the local gun range with her two girls. “I’m a gun owner,” she admitted, listing off her inventory which includes “a Ruger carry pistol, a Beretta, a Glock, and about half a dozen shotguns.” However, Ms. Welsh is not fond of Kennesaw’s gun law. “I’m embarrassed when I hear people talk about the gun law,” Ms. Welsh said. “It’s just an old Kennesaw thing to hang onto.” She wished that when outsiders thought of the city.
