Supreme Court of Georgia

Bell v. Hargrove

December 14, 2021

Summary

The court held that a probate judge may deny a weapons carry license only when the statutory exceptions are affirmatively established, and may not deny an application based on speculation or uncertainty about an arrest's disposition. Because Bell's record showed only an arrest and no disqualifying conviction, he had a clear legal right to the license. The court reversed the Court of Appeals and directed issuance of a writ of mandamus.