Stone Mountain Park To Allow Guns

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA. -- Steve and Lena Markos and their three year old daughter Sascha walked through Stone Mountain Park near dusk Friday night.

Like many married couples Steve and Lena don't agree on everything. One of those things? The gun that Steve Markos keeps with him in his car and on some trails at Stone Mountain Park.

"I have gone on this bird trail which is remote out here and I just stick it in my waistband," he said.

Lena says she wishes her husband would put her gun in a lockbox and lose the key.

"I don't think it would really help anyone to have a gun anyplace," she said.

GeorgiaCarry.org, the same group that sued Hartsfield Jackson Airport and lost, over the right to bring guns to the airport, sued Stone Mountain and won.

John Monroe, the attorney for Georgia Carry, said, "There's no place in the world that's off limits to criminals or where someone can be completely safe."

Used to be, no guns were permitted at the park. Now anyone, except a convicted felon can bring a gun. Those without a permit must leave their guns in their cars. Those with permits can carry them anywhere in the park.

Betty Alston, visiting the park with her grandchildren this same night, says she worries a gun could go off accidentally in a place filled with children.

"I'm totally against it. It's too many kids around, and this is what Stone Mountain is about," Alston said.

Stone Mountain's police chief says the only place people can't carry guns in the park is at public gatherings, which means the laser show would be off limits. But people can carry guns inside the theme park, even on rides.