[HGUNHNTR]

Hi all, I'm moving to Atlanta this summer, anything I need to know about local gun laws? Good places to shoot/hunt I have never been to the Southern US or Georgia---I feel a bit overwhelmed.

Thanks All, I appreciate any responses.

[Lone_Gunman]

Atlanta is an armpit. Crowded. Polluted. Corrupt local politics. Traffic jams beyond your wildest imagination.

I would keep the resume' handy.

[KingTiger]

Here's a start, welcome to the South.

GA Gun Laws - http://www.georgiapacking.org/law.php

Range - http://creeksidefiringrange.com/

[HoosierQ]

Stay out of Clayton county I guess. Another thread on here about that place. I guy having neighbor problems and is worried about it coming to shots fired.

[GooseGestapo]

I would suggest that you look to live in one of the outlying areas.

Atlanta, like other poster related is an armpit. (or worse!).

Many of the suburbs are much nicer.

You can elect to commute, and things get even better the further you get from Atlanta.

But, this is why the traffic is so bad. Every one who works there is in hurry to get there in the mornings. Then after 3pm, everyone is trying like heck to get out............

And, if you haven't been told, IT'S HOT HERE! Today it's 97 in the shade and humidity is "low" at about 80%.

But, it'll get better about mid September........

[HGUNHNTR]

Thanks for the replies so far, as far as living in an armpit, I lived in NJ for 5 years and it doesn't get much more armpit than that:) The gun laws in NJ are reprehensible at best.

[Jbabbler]

What part of "Atlanta" Are you moving to the metro-Atlanta area or to the city of Atlanta? I personally hate the city of Atlanta and cringe any time I have to drive downtown for any reason.

IMHO, Clayton and Dekalb Counties are the armpits of the metro area. Don't get me wrong, each of those two counties has some nice areas to live but their crime rates and school systems are atrocious.

Once again, IMHO Cobb and Cherokee are the more desirable counties on the North side of town. We have a lake house in Cherokee county and I love the Canton, Holly Springs area. On the South-Side you have Fayette and Henry counties bracketing Clayton County. These counties are also nice and get nicer the further you get away from the Clayton County border. Both Henry and Fayette have great schools and relatively low crime rates. Unfortunately, Fayette's largest shopping center megaplex is on the border of Fayetteville (Fayette County) and Riverdale (armpit of Clayton County). We refer to that area as Fayette-dale. Many of my police friends work in Fayette and spend a great deal of time protecting that shopping center.

[BMRisko]

IMO, it's kind of stupid to form an opinion on an entire county based on one set of neighbors.

On the other hand, I despise ATL and everywhere within 30 miles. Traffic is a nightmare and there are just way too many people. But, I'd take ATL over NJ any day of the week!

[GRAYRID3R]

30 miles is just about right. Almost anywhere outside of the 30 mile radius is very nice, N,S,E,W. But then there's the traffic. I hope you don't have to work near the city. I pretty much work all around the metro area and try my best to avoid commuter hell with my schedule. 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 3:30 to 6:30 sucks bad.

[duckman007]

Unfortunately, Fayette and Henry are five to ten years in becoming what Clayton is today. Both used to be nice, but have rapidly gone downhill. I don't mean to offend anyone, but unless you're from Clayton, Dekalb, or Atlanta, you have no idea as to how bad it really is there. You may think that all the horrendous comments are an exaggeration, but believe me they're not. I've been shot at by gang members for standing in the wrong place apparently. I've been shot at by someone from their apartment window for no reason. I was simply standing there and he opened his window and opened fire. And this is while I was in uniform. I could go on for days, but trust me, it truly is the armpit of the south.

With that said, like Frank said, Canton, Cumming, Dawsonville, Holly Springs, just to name a few, are a totally different world. North of Fulton, at least for now, is night and day compared to Atlanta. I have friends who have a very expensive house in downtown Atlanta, near the Carter Center. They can look out their windows every night and see hookers and addicts passed out on the sidewalks, and this is the revitalized area! Not where I would raise a family.

[GRAYRID3R]

Every state has a cesspool. I've lived in St. Louis, Chicago, and Mpls. The only difference in Atlanta is it is indeed the deep south and people are a lot nicer here and the cost of living considerably less. Now since your OP was regarding gun laws and THIS IS A GUN FORUM........ Georgia gun laws are among the the best in the U.S. check out georgiapacking.org for all the info you need, and the hunting is great! check out the georgia DNR:) for any and all hunting and fishing info. There are lots of gun shops and indoor and outdoor ranges including a lot in the state parks. I've lived here for 34 years and will not leave. Atlanta sucks in many ways but so does Macon, Columbus Savannah, and Valdosta in the areas where the garbage is dumped. Welcome to the south! We had some real good friends on our street from NJ before they were transferred to Chicago. The only thing they missed about NJ was the beach. The beach is 4 hours from Atlanta that's not too bad.

[Shung]

Avoid Clayton County ;)

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=457332

[ChronoCube]

I noticed there's a lot of restrictions on where you can carry, under georgiapacking.org. Even in church! O.o

[Dogbite]

I live on the west side of Atlanta, its much better than living in Atlanta. Nicer smaller towns, less crime, pastures, woods, cows, farms, that sort of thing. Places to check on the west side-Paulding, Douglas, Polk, Carroll counties. I would also second the northern counties-Cherokee and such up that way. Scenery is same as above.

[SCKimberFan]

NE of Atlanta is where you want to go. Areas like Roswell, Alpharetta, and up GA 400 towards Lake Lanier. However, if you move to that area and have to travel downtown to work, be ready for traffic out the ying yang. You might also consider areas near Kennesaw, but once again traffic heading into the city in the morning is a PITA.

[the foot]

Welcome to GA, HGUNHNTR. Too bad you need to live close to ATL.

The replies here are all good advice. Go north or west.

Just like everywhere else in America, our GA cities have the problem of urban savages making life unsafe.

[HGUNHNTR]

Thanks everyone, I do have to go downtown everyday so I am prepared for traffic. I appreciate everyones input.

[JWF III]

I lived in NJ for 5 years and it doesn't get much more armpit than that

Wait till you move to make that assumption. Gun laws are more lax, but that doesn't mean the police know what the law is. And won't harass you even when you are in the right.

IMHO Cobb and Cherokee are the more desirable counties on the North side of town

More desirable, yes. But I consider Cobb nothing more than DeKalb on the west side of town. It's not as (widespead) bad, but in places it's just as bad. Cherokee is one of the better counties. I'm more familiar with the east side of town. Gwinnet and Rockdale are not bad, very similar to Cobb. Cobb and Gwinnett have premier school systems. IIRC, Gwinnett graduated something like 10,000 last year. There is a reason why so many people are (last 20 years) moving there. (That's why I had to get out of there. Too crowded.) For a higher quality of life, look at Walton and Newton counties on the east side. Walton is the better of the two, but Newton is cheaper (home prices and property taxes). The east side typically has the lightest traffic on average days. But when it's bad, it's real bad. Last week it took me close to 3 hours to get home from work. ~75 miles and typically 1 hr 15 min ride.

Almost anywhere outside of the 30 mile radius is very nice, N,S,E,W.

Make it 45-50 and I'd agree with that statement. I live 30 miles outside of the perimeter, and 15 miles off the interstate. Never had a problem with anybody around here, true Southern Hospitality is still alive in the country. And I have a 50 yard range set up off my back porch. Also have a chicken pen with fresh eggs daily.

If traffic is a large concern to you, stay away from I75, I85 and GA 400 all north of Atlanta. Typically the worst traffic in Atlanta. I20 west of Atlanta gets bad on clear days in the late spring- early fall months (known as the "Sunshine Slowdown"). I20 and US 78 east of Atlanta are typically some of the better commutes. (My biggest problem is going thru DeKalb, the locals can't figure out how to merge onto and off of the highway.) I85, I75, and I675 south of Atlanta I'm not as familiar with. That's because you don't always hear traffic reports from down there. (May be because it's lighter than elsewhere, IDK.)

There are nice areas in the city, but space is extremely tight (you may not mind that, I got to have my room) and prices are substantial. And you still have to deal with the local government, and the liberals run rampant (again that may not bother you).

Wyman

[22-rimfire]

As large cities go, Atlanta is not too bad except for the traffic. I kind of sphinter-up when I go when I have to deal with 5 or 6 lanes of traffic moving at 80mph in each direction. But you get used to it.

I assume you are planning on living outside the loop if you are buying. Cost of living is medium. Most people are living north of town based on the traffic jams in the morning. I would plan on working early if business hours are flexible.

GA has a lot going for it when it comes to scenery. I especially like th northern one-third.

[rmt22]

adventure outdoors is a decent gun store it is up Cobb Blvd

there is an indoor range 2 miles away

[Lone_Gunman]

Georgia gun laws are among the the best in the U.S. check out georgiapacking.org for all the info you need

Not really. Our "ccw" program is very weak. There are numerous places you cant carry, including churches, sporting events, and any "public gathering".

Do you know what a "public gathering" is? If you do, please let our Attorney General know, because the term is undefined by Georgia law, and open for wide interpretation. A few years ago, one police department attempted to charge a permit holder with illegally carrying a firearm in Wal Mart. They felt like Wal Mart was a public gathering. While the permit holder was acquitted, there was nonetheless a legal case, and he had to hire lawyers to defend him.

Also, Georgia is dominated by politics in Atlanta, and Atlanta is essentially no longer a southern city. Between transplanted yankees and liberal politicians, it really has little in common with the rest of the state.

Most of the crime in Atlanta is however related to drugs, and mostly involves blacks and hispanics. If you stay in the suburbs, you will generally be OK.

GA has a lot going for it when it comes to scenery.

There is not much to look at except in the NE corner in the Appalachians. The rest of the state is pine trees, flat land, farm land, and swamp.

[verdun59]

Atlanta too bad, but on the bright side it could be Detroit.

[SCKimberFan]

I kind of sphinter-up when I go when I have to deal with 5 or 6 lanes of traffic moving at 80mph in each direction. But you get used to it.

I don't mind 5-6 lanes at 80 mph. I hate 5-6 lanes at 8 mph!

[Willdad]

You heard about the old man sitting on his front porch? A guy comes by and says "I just moved to town -- am I going to like it here?"

THe old man asks "How did you like it where you came from?" The guy says "it was terrible, people were mean, traffic was bad, schools were terrible..." The old man says "well, I'm afraid you'll find the same things here."

Later, the old man sees another stranger, who says "I'm moving to town, what's it like around here?" Again he asks "How did you like it where you came from?" The stranger says "we loved it, people were nice, schools were good, we found a great shooting club..." The old man says "I think you're going to love it here."

Welcome to Atlanta! I hope you'll love it.

[22-rimfire]

There is not much to look at except in the NE corner in the Appalachians. The rest of the state is pine trees, flat land, farm land, and swamp.

I used to feel that way. GA has some interesting history and geography.

The mining areas of old are particularly interesting to me.
GA has some great low technical rivers for kayaking and family fun.
GA has some great people. Yes, Yankees in Atlanta.
GA has interesting civil war history beyond Sherman's march to the sea.
GA even has trout fishing.
GA has hunting opportunites.
GA is gun friendly.
Even the swamps are interesting. Watch out for water mocassins.
Warm water fishing opportunities abound.
Best part is that Tennessee is just north!

[Arkel23]

Welcome to the south. I'll be 3 1/2 hrs from you.

[JWF III]

The rest of the state is pine trees, flat land, farm land, and swamp.


Lucky for me, that's what I love. Cypress trees, Spanish Moss, and Black Water; there's nothing more beautiful in the world (IMO).

Wyman

[sohcgt2]

It seems that responces are as varied as the people responding. I have lived in 4 U.S. cities and rural areas in eastern, western, and northern states. I always come back to the Atlanta area. It offers within a short drive, mountains, beach, swamp, and cosmopolitan city. The bulk of society accepts firearms. Gun laws are for the most part in favor of gun owners. Open carry is allowed for CCW holders. Georgia is a "Shall Issue" state with reciprocity aggreements from most of the surrounding states. Hunting is available nearby, shotgun shooting sports are available nearby, indoor pistol and rifle ranges are scattered around the metro area, and long outdoor rifle ranges are available less than 1 hour from the city center. Of all the places I've been only the Pacific N.W. offers an equal experience and no place compares when cost of living is factored. Hope this is helpful and Welcome to Atlanta.

[SCKimberFan]

Georgia is a "Shall Issue" state with reciprocity aggreements from most of the surrounding states.

Except SC.

[manfromyard]

I live in Atlanta (the city of). I like it here, having lived in Gwinnett and Cobb counties, as well as Miami-dade. The taxes and water are bad, as well as general administration, but I try not to rely on the government for too much. Gwinnett, Cobb, and Clayton counties are where the bulk of the drug trafficking and ethnic gangs converge. I prefer living close to where I work, so I don't face horrific traffic. The cost of living is also really low. If you're making anything close to your old New Jersey salary, you should be able to set yourself up nicely...

[Wheeler]

I don't see where Atlanta politics affect the rest of the state, Atlanta and Georgia are nothing like Chicago and Illinois, for example. I live in Jackson County, about fifty miles from downtown Atlanta, traffic is bad when school is in. I-85 has well over 1 million vehicles traveling it daily. Atlanta is a mecca for liberal thinking, pseudo socialism, rude police officers, and bad roads. Georgia is not.

There are quite a few gun/shooting ranges around Atlanta.

Tom Lowe: http://atlantaskeetshooting.com/

South River: http://www.southrivergunclub.com/

Little River: http://www.claytargetsonline.com/club.php/439

Cherokee: http://www.cherokeegunclub.org/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=7

Riverbend: http://www.rbgc.org/

Pickens: http://www.pcsc.us/

American Classic: http://www.classicmarksman.com/

Bull'seye Marksman: http://www.bullseyemarksman.com/

Bull'seye Gun Range: http://local.yahoo.com/info-13588178-bull-s-eye-indoor-range-gun-lawrenceville

These are just a few to start with. Some are public, some are membership only. Most of the member only ranges offer fun tournaments or leagues in various types of shooting sports, including IDPA, IPSC, Skeet, Trap, 5 Stand, Sporting Clays, Bull's Eye, Sillouette, Cowboy, and various long range rifle pursuits.

If you have an interest in Sporting Clays or IDPA, shoot me a PM or email and I'll be happy to meet you and introduce you to some of the local shooters and characters. :)

For hunting and fishing, the preeminent link is www.gon.com If it's about hunting or fishing in Georgia, this is the best source.

A couple of good links for CCW information are: www.packing.org and www.georgiacarry.org

I hope this helps and welcome to JawJa!

Wheeler

[Mike J]

All these warnings about Clayton County-I grew up there & still go back & visit once in a while. It's a different world there now though-It used to be nice. I moved in '98 to get away from what is going on up there. I live in SE Henry now but I figure in about another 10 years it'll probably be time for another move-Atlanta just keeps pushing out.
If you are going to live here I'd like to suggest you join GaCarry.org as others have posted our firearms carry laws aren't the best yet but that can be changed. Oh & Welcome to Georgia.

[Lone_Gunman]

I don't see where Atlanta politics affect the rest of the state, Atlanta and Georgia are nothing like Chicago and Illinois, for example.

Business owners are restauranteurs in Atlanta gave severe resistance to the recent change in GA law that permits concealed weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol.

The entire state is taxed to support Hartsfield-Jackson airport and Grady Hospital, despite the fact these two organizations do not support the entire state, only the metro Atlanta area.

[Apple a Day]

Quote:
The rest of the state is pine trees, flat land, farm land, and swamp.

Lucky for me, that's what I love. Cypress trees, Spanish Moss, and Black Water; there's nothing more beautiful in the world (IMO).

Wyman

C'mon, be honest! Georgia looks like it was made by two different people:the north end with hills and grass then the southern end with gritty sand, palmetto, and moss. When they hit the middle they didn't know what to do so they made the mistake of trying to patch it all together with kudzu.
I was born in Atlanta, lived in Cobb, lived and worked in Henry, and in Jonesboro. Living in Jonesboro was why I bought my first pistol. Like any city there's good places and bad places. The zoo was pretty good.

[22-rimfire]

South Georgia = North Florida

[JWF III]

The zoo was pretty good.

I wanted to say something about the above comment, but I decided it wouldn't be very High Road. It had something to do with DeKalb, Clayton, and south Fulton Counties.:evil:

Wyman

[Ala Dan]

Like most metro aeas,

Crime Ridden~! :eek:

[zeebo419]

Welcome to GA! As the others said the traffic in the Atlanta area is enough to make you pull your hair out. As for the crime, there are good areas and bad areas. I live in the relatively small town of Milledgeville and we have good areas and bad areas, too.

[LeverGunJunkie]

HGUNHNTR;
Don't fret. Moved to ATL 5 years ago, and it is not that bad. We have the same problems of any Metro Area, but you can escape the madness. I live in Fayette Cnty, and while Duckman is right about the next 10 years, there are still some great parts in the county. PeachTree City is a great place to raise a family. Coweta county is still great and only a 35 min commute to the center of the city. Stay in the Southern Arc and you'll find less traffic gridlock. Duckman is right about Clayton and Henry, stay out. I personally would focus on Fayette and Coweta Counties. Good schools (for GA) and good family values. Remember...further south, the better.

[oneounceload]

South Georgia = North Florida

Down here in FL, we say it the other way around.

Jacksonville is the largest city in south Georgia.....:D

Atlanta was fairly scary when I went to college there over 30 years ago....Having been through it recently, I try to go around it by a wide margin when heading to mountains in TN....

[colorado_handgunner]

I'm moving to Atlanta this summer

I'm sorry for you. JK, I just can't stand the traffic and humidity. Atlanta is the only city I have ever gotten hopelessly lost in with a GPS. To add the firearms side of it, I ended up in a not so nice neighborhood while trying to find a restaurant, and had no concealed carry! Thought I was going to get shot for my car!

[Slim Pickens]

I have had a house in Tucker for the last four years. I don't really like Atlanta, but then I grew up in a rural area and came to Atlanta just for employment. I'm planning to move away when I can, and will probably have to rent the house.

Home prices in Tucker are pretty cheap, and you can get downtown quick because you avoid all the traffic at spaghetti junction. It's almost as convenient as being inside the perimeter (ITP), but home prices are a lot lower. The immediate neighborhood where I live is nice, if you like suburbs. Roswell is better, but you will pay for it.

There are some bad elements in the Atlanta metro area, but I personally would not expect to get away from it just by moving 20 or 30 miles out. The neighborhoods are really mixed up with respect to home sizes and prices, with new $500,000 homes in close proximity to cheap apartments. No matter where you go, you are still pretty close to a ghetto somewhere.

Sometimes the career criminals target wealthy neighborhoods. I witnessed the aftermath of a brutal home invasion where the whole family was tied up and held at gunpoint. The mother managed to escape and get help. This was in a fairly expensive neighborhood near Emory. Luckily no one was killed, but the perps are still out there, as far as I know.

And as others have recommended, please do join GeorgiaCarry.org, it is a great organization. And a Georgia Firearms License, that goes without saying.

[HGUNHNTR]

Thanks Again everyone for your responses, as an update, my family and I now live in Decatur. (dekalb co.) We love it so far, the heat isn't any worse than Nebraska, great schools,the scenery is nice, and I like the feel of the town. Plus its only 20 minutes downtown at worst.

Again thank you all for taking the time to respond.

[JWF III]

Decatur is a pretty good town, when you consider everything, price, people, and location. I've done a lot of remodeling work in the Decatur area. I just hope you're north of Memorial Drive. South can get pretty rough. The preverbial "Wrong side of the tracks".

If you haven't already, check out Candler Road Pawn Shop. They have boocoo guns, but they want boocoo dinero for them. If I'm looking at getting something, I'll often go there to check it out. Then by it somewhere else.

Tucker Gun is another one, that's close to you and worth checking out. A great group of guys runs this shop.

Wyman

[JimKirk]

As long as we can keep the yankees north of Macon....South GA will be all right!

Jimmy K

[jakemccoy]

Atlanta is an armpit. Crowded. Polluted. Corrupt local politics. Traffic jams beyond your wildest imagination.

That describes just about every big city in America.

Atlanta is like the West. Everybody and their mom wanted to move there awhile ago. Now, Atlanta is a standard big city. Fortunately, the West still has beautiful geography and weather. Wherever you go, you just need to find your niche, your slice of heaven.

[rmodel65]

Every state has a cesspool. I've lived in St. Louis, Chicago, and Mpls. The only difference in Atlanta is it is indeed the deep south and people are a lot nicer here and the cost of living considerably less. Now since your OP was regarding gun laws and THIS IS A GUN FORUM........ Georgia gun laws are among the the best in the U.S. check out georgiapacking.org for all the info you need, and the hunting is great! check out the georgia DNR:) for any and all hunting and fishing info. There are lots of gun shops and indoor and outdoor ranges including a lot in the state parks. I've lived here for 34 years and will not leave. Atlanta sucks in many ways but so does Macon, Columbus Savannah, and Valdosta in the areas where the garbage is dumped. Welcome to the south! We had some real good friends on our street from NJ before they were transferred to Chicago. The only thing they missed about NJ was the beach. The beach is 4 hours from Atlanta that's not too bad.




wait are you smoking something, we have more off limits places than even california:banghead:

[HGUNHNTR]

Now that I'm here, where is the closest place to find some decent small game hunting? I would sure love to get out this fall and winter, but I have no clue where to go.

I have looked at the DNR maps, but the quality and scope of info available is pretty limited.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[JWF III]

What I would guess at 40 miles from Decatur, there is a WMA off HWY 11. Charlie Elliott (aka Clybel). I live less than 10 miles from the WMA, but I've never hunted there. (They do have a fine, covered, shooting range. Open Mon.-Sat., not sure of hours.) Going east, that'd be the closest public hunting land to try, and easy access from I-20 at both ends.

About 30 minutes drive past Clybel, is the Oconee National Forest. Most of this is open to the public for hunting. There is several thousand acres there, but it's not continuous. You would definently need a map, and be careful not to trespass.

Specifically, what kinds of small game are you interested in? Feather or Fur?

Wyman

[Mike J]

HGUN HNTR-Oconee Nat'l forest is what I would suggest also. I have only been hunting there once & that was many years ago. I don't really like hunting public land. If I'm not mistaken though if you were to drive down there & go to the ranger station I think they can give you maps & information. Check out www.forum.gon.com/ I believe there may be some helpful information there.

[HGUNHNTR]

Thanks JWF III, to answer your question.....fur:) Some early season bushy tail action is one of my favorites!

[JWF III]

If I'm not mistaken though if you were to drive down there & go to the ranger station I think they can give you maps & information.

Yes, they'll give you a map, and tell you (almost) anything you want to know. To get to the station, take I20 east to exit 114 (HWY 441 Madison). Turn right onto HWY 441. Approx. 10 miles down, you'll pass Rock Eagle (well marked kids camp/4H/etc.) The ranger station will be on your right about 1/4 mile past the Rock Eagle Entrance. You can see it from the road.

There are also several WMAs that are encompassed by the ONF. Each one has a seperate ranger station. They could give you better info on hunting.

For the record, some of our hunting lease is across the road from ONF land. I saw 1 truck there all last season. It was there several times, but it was always the same truck.

Some early season bushy tail action is one of my favorites!

There's plenty of squirrels in Decatur. Just don't get caught:evil:!!!

Wyman

[chuckusaret]

Atlanta is worse than the armpit of the world. I would suggest you live in Alpharetta or Cumming

[sohcgt2]

Moving to Atlanta

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Atlanta is worse than the armpit of the world. I would suggest you live in Alpharetta or Cumming

Make it a point to stay down in S. Fl. then. I don't cast dispersion on your home even though I do have opinions about Fl.

[HGUNHNTR]

^^ Agreed I have only been here for 2 1/2 weeks, but I love it. The people are great.

[el gato]

Get your CCP and remain covert in your carry. If you search the net upon arrival you will find facility's within reasonable driving distance. I am a member of an outstanding club near Conyer's. Hope you have a great move. (Hate it for you though)

[JWF III]

Atlanta is worse than the armpit of the world. I would suggest you live in Alpharetta or Cumming

As long as I'm near the old town part of Decatur (near the college), I'd rather live there than either Alpharetta or Cumming. There is a huge difference between Decatur and Atlanta, and an even bigger difference in the people. (I hate to repeat myself, but I'll make an exception here. As long as you stay NORTH of Memorial Drive. You start getting into indian territory once you venture south.)

Cumming used to be a nice quiet area, but it started changing about 15 years ago. It'll never be the same.

Wyman

[rmodel65]

Atlanta is worse than the armpit of the world. I would suggest you live in Alpharetta or Cumming

if i had a choice i would be Kennesaw, they havent had a murder from a gun in 26 years.

[chuckusaret]

Make it a point to stay down in S. Fl. then. I don't cast dispersion on your home even though I do have opinions about Fl.

Sir, I am not casting dispersions on your home town and I can voice my opinion(s) about Atlanta, it was also my home town for several years until I wised up and moved to Alpharetta and then to Cumming. Atlanta is what it is. All crimes committed in Atlanta is more than double or triple of the national average. I would suggest that you visit: http://atlanta.areaconnect.com/crime1.htm

if i had a choice i would be Kennesaw, they haven’t had a murder from a gun in 26 years.

Yes, and about the same distance from downtown Atlanta as Alpharetta. The high crime had not yet made it to Alpharetta when I lived there.

[SniperStraz]

I believe the stats show that Atlanta has 2.3 times the national average for violent crime alone.

[Arkel23]

Atlanta traffic is horrible, people just don't know how to make power moves to get in and out, now if there's a wreck TONS of nosey people wanting to know what happened slows it up bad, but it's nothing compared to Chicago. I'm in Cobb County most of the time when I'm not in SC.

[ChCx2744]

Alpharetta is a nice place to live...Woodstock and cumming are nice too...Everything else within the city limits of Atlanta and the metro-Atlanta area can be pretty rough and dirty...I know, I police them.

[HGUNHNTR]

Just a follow up for the kind folks that helped me out. Now, 3 years later, live in Decatur and love it. You couldn't pay me enough to move otp to the suburbs. The gun laws are fantastic, traffic isn't so bad, and there are some fantastic ranges very nearby. Thanks for the insight, and if you are looking to move to ATL, don't believe everything you hear.

[jmr40]

Welcome, I'm glad you're happy but Decatur is not Atlanta. Most of Georgia is a pretty good place to live including the Atlanta suburbs like Decatur. I live near Rome and get into the outlying areas of Atlanta on occasion, but wouldn't want to be any closer. In fact I'm about 1/2 way between Atlanta an Chattanooga and most of my big city needs take me North instead of South.

Where did you move from BTW?

[Toml]

Sort of odd to say Decatur is not Atlanta...it's only seven miles from downtown.

HG, I'm enjoying QuickShot, the new range near Sage Hill. Nice folks.

[HGUNHNTR]

Hey Tom, yeah, Quickshot is great, and only 5 minutes from my house.

[bluethunder1962]

I am sorry to here about your move. I love the one about it could be worse you could be going to detroit. I think they are the most rude people in the south. They give the south a bad name. We are usually very kind and nice. I think it is easy to get a permit in ga but if you already have one try NH. You can get one of theirs on line for100 and it gives you ga and the other states in the lower south. I had to do that because I live in SC.

[hentown]

I lived in the Atlanta area for 20 years and moved to S. GA 17-yrs-ago. I've wanted to move back to the Atlanta area every day since, but personal considerations, so far, have prevented that move. All four of my progeny live in the Atlanta area, and they all love it.

What your income level is, what you do for a living, and whether you have offspring all play into where in the Atlanta area you'd want to live. Atlanta's crime statistics, while certainly above the national average, are probably no worse than any other political subdivision inhabited by folks who vote Democratic 98% of the time.

My oldest son lives in Alpharetta and works primarily in Sandy Springs. He times his travel in order to avoid rush hour traffic, when possible. He's an entrepreneur and makes a pretty good living.

My daughter is an attorney with McKesson's Technology Division; lives in a condo in Buckhead and works in Alpharetta. She gets to telecommute one-day-per week.

My youngest son is an attorney who works and lives in mid-town. He loves it and is doing pretty well, considering this is his first year of private practice.

My musician son (the one I worry about) is unemployed and is currently living with his sister in Buckhead.

I'll probably move to the Alpharetta area when I do move back to the 21st century.

Sharpshooters on Hwy 9, just north of Roswell is a really nice indoor range, with 24 lanes all rifle-rated, up to .308, with two lanes @ 50 BMG.

Lots of great restaurants, etc., in the Atlanta area. Good schools, depending on where you live. I'm in Atlanta/Alpharetta every-other-weekend. Love the place!

[Warp]

I am glad that you think the gun laws are fantastic.

[HGUNHNTR]

^Seriously whats not to like?

[Warp]

^Seriously whats not to like?

They are pretty good. It's a lot better now than it was a few years ago (mostly looking at carry laws here). I think I am still a bit critical because I remember how terrible the carry laws were several years ago, before things started changing. You came at a near perfect time in that respect, you missed the ridiculousness.

As of today: College campuses are off limits. That doesn't effect a lot of people, but for some of us it cripples our ability to be armed.

I know this is only slightly on the topic, but a pocket knife with a blade 2" or longer is a felony on a college campus or at a college event.

I am a full time college student AND a university employee, so to say this greatly affects me is an understatement.

[Dr. Detroit]

Atlanta too bad, but on the bright side it could be Detroit.
Or, for that matter, Cleveland!

Cheers,
Dr. Detroit
now in Cleveland, OH

[sgtstryker]

There are plenty of gun folks in north Ga. There are plenty of shooting clubs, Wheeler named a good bunch. There are alot of hunting areas, clubs, state and Federal land to roam. But, as has been profusely mentioned, Atlanta is a lost cause. I'm about three hours south, plenty close for me. And we have gnats..

[Giterboosted]

Welcome man!!! Glad to Have ya!!! I don't live in the metro area but I am there about 5 times a week for one reason or another, but there's MANY wonderful areas up my way, towards The middle and top of 985/441, if you would like I can find out what club my bother shoots in and he does in fact live in atl

[Owen Sparks]

No place better to live than the South. Atlanta is just the most croweded part.

[HGUNHNTR]

^ I agree Owen, but crowded is a pretty relative term. It's really not bad at all, and there is a big upside--lots of fantastic amenities.
I definitely disagree with sgtstryker, ATL is not a lost cause. Atlanta is very firearms friendly, and provides a wealth of diversity not found anywhere else in the state.

[Mike J]

I live in the suburbs South of Atlanta & have lived in the Atlanta area all my life. I like it okay where I live but to be honest I haven't lost anything inside the perimeter. I have spent some time recently with friends that live in South Georgia & it makes me want to further away from town with more land available. It is nice to be able to walk out into the yard & shoot targets or clays. Of course when you're down there it is just a little further drive to get to a store & other amenities.

I am glad to read you are doing well & happy in Decatur HGUNHNTR.

[oneounceload]

No place better to live than the South. Atlanta is just the most croweded part.
__________________

Not totally........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population

Atlanta is 40th; Jacksonville is much more crowded, and Tampa is close in size. I lived in Atlanta back in the 70's........let me date myself - BEFORE I285 was the NASCAR course it is now, when there was nothing industrial around it, and the Techwood homes area had the highest murder rate in the country - right next to my alma mater, and no one was worried about having to constantly carry a gun

[MtnCreek]

Glad you're enjoying it. I wish more people lived ITP (and I wish I20 still stopped in Douglas County).