Georgia concealed carry laws and reciprocity

O.C.G.A. 16-11-137 requires license holders to have the license in immediate possession while carrying, but contains no duty to notify officers; it also bars detaining a person solely to check whether they are licensed or a lawful weapons carrier.

Anyone not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a weapon inside their own motor vehicle without a license, and any lawful weapons carrier may transport a handgun or long gun in any private passenger vehicle.

Since April 12, 2022, a "lawful weapons carrier" may carry without a license: anyone eligible for a Georgia weapons carry license (21+, or 18+ with qualifying military service) and not otherwise prohibited, a non-resident who would be eligible but for residency, or anyone licensed in another state.

The probate judge of the applicant's county of domicile shall issue a five-year weapons carry license to an applicant who passes the background investigation and is not disqualified under O.C.G.A. 16-11-129.

Georgia weapons carry licenses are issued only to Georgia residents (by the probate court of the county of domicile), with an exception for active-duty service members residing in the county.

O.C.G.A. 16-11-126 lets any lawful weapons carrier carry a handgun without a license and does not require handguns to be concealed; a loaded long gun carried without a license must be carried openly.

O.C.G.A. 16-11-127(c), as amended by SB 319 (2022), lets a lawful weapons carrier carry in every location not listed as prohibited, while giving private property owners and persons in legal control of private property only the right to exclude or eject a person carrying a weapon under the criminal trespass statute, 16-7-21(b)(3). A posted no-weapons sign has no independent legal force; an offense arises only if the person refuses to leave after being told to.

Bars and restaurants are not among the off-limits locations in O.C.G.A. 16-11-127(b), which authorizes lawful weapons carriers in every location not listed, subject to a private owner's right to exclude or eject armed persons.

Lawful weapons carriers may carry a weapon in all state parks, historic sites, and recreational areas, including publicly owned buildings there, and in wildlife management areas, except where federal law prohibits handguns.

Carrying in a place of worship is prohibited unless its governing body or authority permits lawful weapons carriers to carry; a lawful weapons carrier who violates this is fined up to $100 rather than arrested.

Lawful weapons carriers may carry concealed handguns on public college and technical school property, except in buildings used for athletic events, student housing (including fraternity and sorority houses), preschool or childcare spaces, rooms with dual-enrollment or college-and-career-academy high school classes, faculty/staff/administrative offices, and disciplinary hearing rooms.

O.C.G.A. 16-11-127(b) bars carry in courthouses, jails and prisons, government buildings with security screening, places of worship (unless permitted), state mental health facilities that admit involuntary patients, nuclear power facilities, and within 150 feet of an active polling place; school safety zones are restricted separately under 16-11-127.1.

O.C.G.A. 16-3-23.1 provides that a person using force lawfully in defense of self, others, habitation, or property has no duty to retreat and may stand their ground, including with deadly force.

Not yet verified from an official source.

Not yet verified from an official source.

Not yet verified from an official source.

Not yet verified from an official source.

Not yet verified from an official source.