NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — On Sept. 8, Newton County resident Javance McCray filed a lawsuit against the county related to his rights to bear arms in public parks.
McCray is suing Newton County and Deputy Tyrone Major of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the lawsuit, McCray is a resident of Newton County and has a weapons carrying license pursuant to state statutes.
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However, McCray is suing because the county has signs out at multiple public parks prohibiting anyone to carry weapons on the property.
In April and May of 2026, McCray’s lawsuit said he was at events at City Pond Park for sporting events his children were attending, and each time he was armed with a handgun in a holster on his waist.
McCray’s lawsuit claims Deputy Major approached him several times during these events, each time telling him he could not carry a firearm and that he had to put it in his vehicle.
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McCray claims in the court filing that he complied with the deputy’s orders “out of fear of arrest and prosecution if he refused.” Later on, the deputy allegedly told McCray that he’d spoken to a judge and was told that McCray could carry his gun at the park but had to hide it, which McCray complied with again “out of fear of arrest and prosecution.”
Each time this happened, McCray’s lawsuit said he “was embarrassed and humiliated ... as he is known to many in the community.”
He said his children expressed concern that he would be arrested.
He’s now suing the county and deputy for allegedly violating his rights under the Georgia’s Safe Carry Protection Act.
McCray is asking the court to require them to cease enforcement of the weapons ordinance and remove signs from public parks prohibiting weapons.
McCray also wants the court to award damages in an amount to be determined at trial but no less than $100 plus attorney’s fees.
Channel 2 Action News reached out to the county for comment.
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