Georgia gun laws allow open carry in the state, but there are regulations as to which location to do so.

The type of firearm you want to use for open carry also determines if you will need to apply for a permit or not. You must obtain a license for open carry of handguns in the state.

To safely open carry in Georgia without breaking any of the state laws, you must understand all requirements and statutes that have to do with open carry and firearm possession in the state.

Georgia Gun Law Summary

Georgia’s application for firearms permits is at the county level with the permit issued by the probate court closest to the applicant’s residence.

This permit is valid for both open and concealed carry in the state. And since Georgia has a shall-issue policy, you will get an approved application as long as you meet all requirements provided.

Aside from open and concealed carry in Georgia, you can also use the permit to purchase firearms in the state.

Georgia does not issue a purchase permit, but you must complete a NICS criminal record background check before you buy a firearm.

But with your firearm permit, you do not have to undergo a check again, since the background check is also a requirement for permit application.

You must be at least twenty-one years old before you apply for the permit, and before you open or conceal carry in the state.

Georgia also has pre-emption laws that allow local counties to enact rules and regulations that suit the handling of firearms within their territory.

Is Open Carry Legal In Georgia?

Yes. Open carry is legal in Georgia, but you must have a license to do so, except if you want to open carry long guns.

Even though you have a permit for open carry in the state, make sure that you respect all restrictions provided by the gun laws of Georgia.

You cannot legally open carry in schools, police offices, hospitals, or any other government-owned property in Georgia.

Open Carry Laws In Georgia

Georgia is one of the licensed open carry states in the USA. This means that you can openly use your firearm only after obtaining a state permit to do so.

There are also state laws for the restriction of firearms types used in the state.

Firearms like semi-automatic guns, barreled rifles, silencers, and other explosive types of weapons are not permitted in the state, either for open or concealed carry.

The only exemption for these types of firearms are people that have the authorization to possess assault weapons according to federal firearm acts.

This includes law enforcement officers, members of the military, dealers of firearms, etc.

Georgia Open Gun Law Quick View

Law/PolicyLong GunsHandgunsComments
State permit for open carry.NoYesA firearm permit is an essential requirement for open carry in Georgia with handguns. However, you do not need a license for open carry of long guns.
Firearm registrations for open carry.NoNoThere are no requirements for registration of firearms for open carry in the state.
Assault weapon for open carry.NoNoThe state statute prohibits firearms regarded as assault weapons. This includes shotguns, machine guns, semi-automatic guns, silencer, and barreled rifles.
Magazine limitNoNoThere are no limits for the number of magazines a firearm must carry in the state.
License for the owner of a firearm.Not requiredNot requiredThere is no need for a licensed firearm for open carry.
Red flag lawNoNoGeorgia does not have any red flag law to petition someone’s possession of firearms.
Castle doctrine lawYesYesGeorgia is a castle doctrine state, and you have the legal right to stand your ground as long as you are in a place where you are lawfully bound to be.
Background check for private dealersNoNoA private dealer is not mandated to conduct a background check while transferring a firearm.
Pre-emptionYesYesGeorgia has a pre-emption law that gives local areas and cities the right to regulate open carry and the general usage of a firearm in the territory.
Concealed carry permit.NoYesYou must apply for a concealed carry permit before you can conceal carry a firearm or any other weapon in the state.
Concealed carry in personal vehicleYesYesYou can conceal carry in your vehicle.
Open carry in SchoolsNoNoYou cannot openly possess your firearm in schools, colleges, universities, and every other technical institution.

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In Georgia

You can open carry in the following places as long as you have your weapon permit in the state.

  • Restaurants and Bars: You can open carry in restaurant areas if they do not prohibit you from doing so.
  • Personal vehicle: You can open carry in your car.
  • Roadsides area: You can open carry in roadside areas, but you must be with your permit.
  • State forests and parks: You can open carry in forests, parks, and wildlife management areas.

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In Georgia?

You cannot open carry or possess your firearm in the following places:

  • Schools: You cannot open carry in school premises, on school buses, or in events organized by school managements. This also includes colleges, campuses, halls of residence, etc.
  • Sports events: You cannot open carry during any professional sporting event except for firearm sports.
  • Airports: You cannot open carry in safety areas of airports.
  • Law court: You cannot open carry in a law court or during court proceedings.
  • Government building: You cannot open carry in any building owned by the government of the state.
  • Places of Worship: You cannot open carry in places of worship except if permitted to do so.
  • Prisons: You cannot open carry in prisons, jails, detention homes, and correctional facilities.
  • Mental health hospitals: You cannot open carry in any mental hospital.
  • During elections: You cannot open carry during elections, and you must be at least one hundred and fifty feet away with your firearm from a polling unit.
  • Prohibited places: You cannot open carry in any location that has been forbidden by the federal laws.

FAQ About Open Carry Georgia

Here are some frequently asked questions about open carry in Georgia.

Do I Need A Permit To Open Carry In Georgia?

Yes. You need to have a permit before you can open carry in the state.

Can I Open Carry With A Concealed Carry Permit In Georgia?

Yes, you can use the permit for both open and concealed carry.

What Is The Age Requirement For Open Carry In Georgia?

You must be at least twenty-one years old before you open carry in Georgia.

What Is The Age Requirement For Applying For CCW Permit In Georgia?

You must be at least twenty-one years old before applying for a permit, except you are a member of the military, in which case you must be at least eighteen years old.

Does Georgia Have A Red Flag Law?

There is no red flag law in Georgia.

Can I Open Carry In Georgia With A Permit From Other States?

Yes, you can open carry with a permit from a state that Georgia reciprocates.

Does Georgia Permit Constitutional Carry In The State?

No. There is no constitutional carry in Georgia.

Can I Open Carry Other Weapons Aside Firearms In Georgia?

Yes. You can open carry knives and other weapons in the state.

Are There Restrictions For Open Carry Firearms In Georgia?

In Georgia, you cannot make use of assault weapons such as machine guns and barreled guns. Also, the state prohibits firearm silencers.

Do I Need A Permit To Buy Firearms In Georgia?

Georgia does not issue purchase permits in the state. But you can use your firearm permit to buy guns.

Must I Complete A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying A Firearm In Georgia?

Yes, everyone must complete a background check before purchasing firearms in Georgia.

Except you have a firearm permit, in which case you do not need to undergo the check again because you must have done it while applying for the license.

For How Long Is My Weapon License Valid In Georgia?

The license is valid for five years, after which you have to apply for a renewal.

What Is The Processing Period For Firearm Permits In Georgia?

The processing period typically takes sixty days.

Can I Get A Non-resident Permit To Open Carry In Georgia?

No. Georgia does not issue non-residents permits, except for members of the military posted to the state and their spouses.

Must I Inform The Police About My Possession Of Firearms?

There are no requirements to inform the police about your possession of a firearm in the state.

Is There Castle Doctrine Law In Georgia?

Georgia is a stand your ground state, with no duty to retreat in the face of an attack when you have every legal right to be where you are.

Is The Use Of Deadly Force Permitted In Georgia?

You can only make use of deadly or excessive force when it is reasonable to do so, and you believe that the attack can cost you your life or severe bodily harm.

When Can I Renew My Firearm Permit License In Georgia?

You can renew your permit ninety days before it expires. You have a grace of one month after the expiry date to complete the renewal.

Must I Complete A Firearm Training Before Open Carry In Georgia?

There are no firearm training requirements for the possession of firearms in Georgia.

Relevant Open Carry Law And Legislature In Georgia

Here are some relevant laws you should know about open carry in Georgia.

Pre-emption Laws

Georgia statutes permit pre-emption laws in the state.

Although the state government has the domineering authority for gun laws, local governments can still restrict these laws for municipalities and counties.

Local areas regulations can include the following:

  • Discharging Of Firearms.
  • Permission to possess firearms in cities and counties for employees who need it in their place of work.
  • Requirements for every household head to own a firearm.

Brandishing Of Firearm

The state statute prohibits the illegal brandishing of firearms.

Anyone who uses a firearm in a threatening manner against another person, in such a way that the person’s life is in danger or risks bodily harm, in a manner considered to be violent, will be guilty of misconduct.

According to section sixteen of the Georgia law, such a person has violated the law when he or she deliberately points a firearm, loaded or unloaded, at another person without any legal justification to do so.

Using Firearm Under The Influence

In Georgia, it is a violation of the state law to use a firearm under the influence of alcohol, defined as when the blood alcohol concentration level of the body is more than 0.08.

This law also includes any intoxicating drug or substance that can affect rational thinking faculties.

Except for self-defense cases, no one should handle a firearm in these situations.

Also, marijuana or any other substance under the control of the drug enforcement agency is illegal for this section of the law.

Miscellaneous Law

Other open carry laws in Georgia include:

  • It is illegal to point your firearm at anyone except during self-defense.
  • It is illegal to shoot your firearm when you are at least fifty yards away from a public place or highway.
  • It is illegal to discharge your firearm on another person’s building or property without consent from the owner of the property.
  • It is illegal to use your firearm to commit crimes in the state.
  • It is illegal to use your firearm to endanger another person during a hunting activity.
  • It is illegal to use your firearm under the influence.

Open Carry While Hunting In Georgia

As long as you have the license to hunt, you can open carry while hunting in Georgia, and this also includes bow hunting in the state.

There is also hunter harassment law in Georgia, and this law consists of the following:

  • It is illegal to disrupt any lawful activity in Georgia by deliberately trying to prevent the hunting of animals in the wildlife.
  • It is illegal to intentionally disturb or alter the natural activities of wildlife just to prevent a lawful hunting activity.

Additional Resources

Georgia Gun Laws
Georgia Concealed Carry Laws
Georgia Gun Permit Laws

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