Blairsville, GA – On July 10, 2017, immediately following the Concealed Carry Class at the Pat Haralson Memorial Civic Center, Sheriff Mack Mason took the stage and asked that anyone interested in starting a gun club in Union County to stick around. Well over half, maybe two thirds, of the audience of about three hundred people stayed in their seats.

Union County Sheriff Mack Mason

Sheriff Mason began by outlining the process of forming a gun club in Union County. He said that Union County is roughly half Forest Service Land, which is federal land, which means it is our land. He said he has approached Georgia State Representative Doug Collins about this and Collins told him to get in touch as soon as a club was formed and organized. Mason then introduced Paul Clark of Blairsville who has volunteered to do the Internet/computer work; and Russell Stookey, an attorney from Hiawassee, GA, who has volunteered to do the legal work pro bono. Stookey made a point of demonstrating the importance of having a safety officer first and foremost and introduced Gene Cooley of Blairsville, a master class marksman and range safety officer. He mentioned that there needs to be a name that he can put on the application for an LLC (limited liability corporation). Stookey mentioned several other considerations, like how guests should be handled, how to become a member, the formation of a Board and creation of Bylaws. Several questions were raised by people in the audience and some discussion ensued. Mason suggested the name Union County Gun Club and it seemed to resonate with everyone. Clark was chosen to be the first Chairman. Several people volunteered to be Board Members. Cooley was adopted as the range safety officer. Several people wanted to contribute money, but there was no entity to donate to, so checks and credit cards could not be utilized; but Stookey vowed to have an entity formed before the week was out.

Paul Clark (middle wearing maroon shirt) with volunteers for the Board

For more information on or to join the new Union County Gun Club, call Paul Clark at (706) 400-8398.

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