Georgia Concealed Carry CCW Laws and Information

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PRESS ADVISORY	PRESS ADVISORY
Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Arkansas and Arizona added by Attorney General Baker to List of States Entitled to Georgia's Firearm Permit Reciprocity

Attorney General Thurbert Baker announced today two additions to Georgia’s program of reciprocal recognition to firearms permit holders from other states. Legislation passed in 1996 allowed Georgia to grant this privilege to citizens of states which recognized Georgia firearms permits.

Right-To-Carry Law Type: Shall Issue. Through an unofficial opinion of the Georgia Attorney General it states "Under Georgia law, active duty military personnel are exempted from the requirement of a firearms permit. The exemption is not limited to the performance of military duty. These personnel may, upon request, obtain a firearms permit if otherwise qualified. Their dependents may be issued a permit if otherwise qualified only upon establishing residency in this state. Law enforcement officers are also exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit. *

*Office of the Attorney General of Georgia.

No CCW allowed in Churches unless a Law Enforcment Officer. O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127
Carrying deadly weapons to or at public gatherings; affirmative defenses (See FAQ below)

State Legal Statute Source:

Georgia Code 16-11-129

State Department Locations:

Georgia Bureau of Investigation
P.O. Box 370748
Decatur, Georgia 30037-0748
Phone: (404) 244-2501

Georgia Attorney General
40 Capitol Square, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-1300
Phone: 404-656-3300

Permit Costs & Info:

$39-$47 5 years
Issuing Authority: County Probate Judge

Click Here for CCW Permit Form

Open Carry Information:

Georgia is not a traditional open carry state. However, open carry IS legal with a Georgia permit. It is also worthy of note that you MAY openly carry a firearm without a permit in a motor vehicle. Please see http://opencarry.org/

State/Federal Park Locations:

State parks, historic sites, and recreational areas; the term 'park, historic site, or recreational area' means a park, historic site, or recreational area which is operated by or for and is under the custody and control of the Department of Natural Resources. It is unlawful for any person to use or possess in any park, historic site, or recreational area any firearms, bows and arrows, spring guns, air rifles, slingshots, or any other device which discharges projectiles by any means, unless the device is unloaded and stored so as not to be readily accessible or unless such use has been approved within restricted areas by prior written permission of the commissioner of natural resources or his authorized representative. (A person can have a firearm in their possession only if the firearm is unloaded and stored. The only exception to this rule is the person has to obtain written permission from an authorized rep from DNR to have readily accessible a firearm.) It shall be unlawful to refuse to leave a park, historic site, or recreational area after violating any law or regulation of the Board of Natural Resources promulgated pursuant to Code Section 12-3-9and after being directed to leave by an authorized representative of the department. (If you are caught carrying a firearm or breaking any of the other rules, then you can be asked to leave the park area by authorized rep from DNR.) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Code section commits the offense of criminal trespass. (If you refuse to leave after being asked too, then you can be arrested for criminal trespass) (12-3-10) Georgiapacking.org

Georgia CCW Reciprocity Map

States that Honor Georgia's CCW Permit:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming

State CCW Permits that Georgia Honors:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming,

Frequently Asked CCW Questions:

What is a local resource for Georgia
Another resource for Georgia is GeorgiaPacking.org. http://www.georgiapacking.org/index.php

Can I carry in a church in Georgia with a CCW permit
O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127 Carrying deadly weapons to or at public gatherings; affirmative defenses (a) Except as provided in Code Section 16-11-127.1, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor when he or she carries to or while at a public gathering any explosive compound, firearm, or knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense. (b) For the purpose of this Code section, "public gathering" shall include, but shall not be limited to, athletic or sporting events, churches or church functions, political rallies or functions, publicly owned or operated buildings, or establishments at which alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises. Nothing in this Code section shall otherwise prohibit the carrying of a firearm in any other public place by a person licensed or permitted to carry such firearm by this part. (c) This Code section shall not apply to competitors participating in organized sport shooting events. Law enforcement officers, peace officers retired from state or federal law enforcement agencies, judges, magistrates, solicitors-general, and district attorneys may carry pistols in publicly owned or operated buildings. (d) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of this Code section if a person notifies a law enforcement officer or other person employed to provide security for a public gathering of the presence of such item as soon as possible after learning of its presence and surrenders or secures such item as directed by the law enforcement officer or other person employed to provide security for a public gathering.