Ask Ms. Magnolia

Ms. Magnolia

Letters have been edited for length and clarity.

Dear Ms. Magnolia, I have a concealed carry license, but I have been told that even if I am licensed to carry, I can be arrested if I wear a face mask while I am carrying a gun. Is that true? H.T.

Dear H.T., No, in Georgia wearing a mask doesn’t void your concealed carry permit. Georgia may outlaw the wearing of a mask to conceal one’s identity, or to conceal one’s identity with intent to commit a crime, but that law was suspended for people wearing masks because of the coronavirus in an April executive order from Gov. Brian Kemp.

Most anti-mask laws exist to prohibit the wearing of a mask to conceal one’s identity in public (presumably to commit a crime), with exceptions for holidays, religious observances, wearing a costume for dramatic purposes (Halloween or costume parties) or if part of a public health order.

You may have seen the viral Facebook image showing a handgun and

an identi. cation card and this mes-

sage: “Know what else wearing a mask does??? Anyone?? REMOVES YOUR CONCEAL CARRY ability. That’s right!! It’s in the rules. CCW licensees are NOT allowed to wear face coverings while carrying. Now let that sink in.”

However, the post was . agged as

part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed.

This is just publicly-available information. If you need legal advice, talk to a lawyer. Or call your local Sheriff’s Department or Police Department to be clear.

If you have a question for Ms. Magnolia, please mail it to P.O. Box 669, Vidalia, GA 30475, or e-mail to msmagnoliaadvance@yahoo.com.