Gun laws in Georgia regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Georgia in the United States.
| Subject/Law | Long guns | Handguns | Relevant Statutes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Permit to Purchase? | No | No | None | |
| Firearm registration? | No | No | None | |
| "Assault weapon" law? | No | No | None | |
| Owner license required? | No | No | None | |
| Carry permits issued? | Yes | Yes | OCGA §16-11-129 | Concealed or open carry allowed with permit. See also OCGA §43–38–10 which is a special permit for armed security guards. |
| State Preemption of local restrictions? | Yes | Yes | OCGA §16-11-173 | Despite state preemption, several localities continue to have local gun restrictions. Recent court rulings have resulted in many of these ordinances being withdrawn. |
| NFA weapons restricted? | No | No | None | |
| Peaceable Journey laws? | No | No | None | Federal rules observed. |
| Unlicensed open carry? | Yes | No | OCGA 16-11-128 | A Georgia Weapons License (GWL), or a recognized out-of-state permit, is required for open carry of any handgun outside of one's home, property, motor vehicle, or place of business. |
NOTE: On June 8, 2010, Senate Bill 308 was signed by Governor Sonny Perdue reforming and clarifying many of Georgia's Gun Laws.[1]
Georgia is a "shall issue" state, and issues firearms permits to residents through a county probate court. Georgia recognizes permits from any other state which recognizes Georgia's permit.
Any person who may legally own a firearm may carry a firearm in their home, place of business, and vehicle without a permit. Georgia does not differentiate between concealed and open carry except that long guns must be carried openly if they are loaded and you do not have a permit.
State preemption laws prohibit localities from regulating the ownership, transportation, and possession of firearms. Georgia also has a law preventing localities from enacting ordinances or lawsuits to classify gun ranges as nuisances.
Firearm regulations are uniform throughout the state, and a firearms permit is valid throughout the state, in all areas other than in a few specially-defined areas. These specially-defined prohibited areas include:
As exceptions to the above list, a person may keep their firearm in a locked compartment of their vehicle at any of the above places except nuclear power facilities. Also, a person may approach security or management of any of the above places (except schools and nuclear power facilities) and ask them for directions on removing, securing, storing, or temporarily surrendering the weapon.[1]
As of July 1, 2006, Georgia became a "Castle Doctrine" state, and requires no duty to retreat before using deadly force in self defense, or defense of others.[2]
Georgia law allows private firearm sales between residents without requiring any processing through an FFL.
A Kennesaw, GA city ordinance requires that all homeowners own a firearm and ammunition (Sec 34-1a). No one has ever been charged with violating this ordinance. An amendment exempts those who conscientiously object to owning a firearm, convicted felons, those who cannot afford a firearm, and those with a mental or physical disability that would prevent them from owning a firearm.
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