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Gun rights activists protest city's ban on Peach Drop firearms

The city of Atlanta has an ordinance that says during big public events on city property, then guns aren't allowed.

Local gun rights activists say the city of Atlanta is breaking state law by not allowing guns at the upcoming Peach Drop on New Year's Eve.

The annual tradition is moving from Underground to Woodruff Park downtown.

If you're going, Atlanta Police say you need to keep your chairs, coolers, umbrellas and guns at home. It's that last prohibited item that sparked some outrage on social media.

"Will Mayor Reed have the guts to publicly admit to telling APD that no weapons will be allowed at a public city park, contrary to state law?" one Facebook user asked.

"What the city is doing is a flagrant violation of state law," said another before posting the state's very broad gun law.

Despite being very broad, there are some limits allowed in the state's gun law. The city of Atlanta has an ordinance that says during big public events on city property, then guns aren't allowed.

"I haven't heard anything about that," Mayor Reed said Friday, referring to the social media critiques. "I have high confidence in our police department, and our fire department and our corrections department. We're going to have an amazing New Year's Eve."

"We're not going to be distracted by people who might want to challenge our officers."

Gun rights activists can turn to the courts to fight this city policy. After all, Georgia Carry, another gun rights group, is suing the Atlanta Botanical Gardens right now over that groups ban on guns inside the facility.

Even if that happens, nothing will change before Sunday.

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