httpHandlers using machine.config and GAC

[some guy with a computer]

I can not get a custom httpHandler to fire using machine.config and an
assembly in the GAC.

It will not work if I move the assembly to the GAC, even though I have it
referenced correctly and add the assembly to the <compile> tag (all my other
controls I can call from the GAC this way).

It will not work if I have the handler specified where the rest are (*.cs,
*.aspx.....etc, in machine.config)

It DOES work if I put the assembly in the bin and add the handler to the
web.config or inside a specific <location path="mydomain.com"> tag in the
machine.config.
Can anyone tell me how to get it to fire with the assembly in the GAC and a
global add for all locations in the machine.config?

My main concern is not being able to put it in the GAC right now.

Thanks.

----------------------------------------------------------

THIS WORKS with assembly in bin (not with assembly in GAC):
[web.config]
<system.web>
<httpHandlers>
<add verb="GET" path="*.someextension" type="MyAssembly.IHttpHandler,
MyAssembly, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral,
PublicKeyToken=47922ba823051f3f, Custom=null" />
</httpHandlers>
</system.web>

THIS WORKS with assembly in bin (not with assembly in GAC):
[machine.config]
<location path="mydomain.com">
<system.web>
<httpHandlers>
<add verb="GET" path="*.someextension" type="MyAssembly.IHttpHandler,
MyAssembly, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral,
PublicKeyToken=47922ba823051f3f, Custom=null" />
</httpHandlers>
</system.web>
</location>

THIS DOESN"T WORK with assembly in bin or GAC:
[machine.config]
<system.web>
<httpHandlers>
<add verb="GET" path="*.someextension" type="MyAssembly.IHttpHandler,
MyAssembly, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral,
PublicKeyToken=47922ba823051f3f, Custom=null" />
</httpHandlers>
</system.web>