Georgia gun laws used to be much more restrictive, but things have loosened up a bit. The most confusing part is the no guns allowed at "public gatherings". It is a bit vague. A parade, sporting event, church, or organized gathering is off limits, but apparently movie theaters, the mall and restaurants are OK. Other places are less clear. Carrying in restaurants that serve alcohol is now legal as long as you don't drink.
While open carry is legal, it is extremely rare. I wouldn't advise it as it could cause more problems than it is worth.
Ok. These laws have changed since 2008 thanks to Georgia Carry.ORG.
-"NO GUNS ALLOWED" signs carry NO weight in Georgia.
- Lots of people "Open Carry" in Georgia. I do it, and see it daily
- If you are asked to leave a place, or remove your firearm, you must do so. If you don't its
Criminal Tresspasing.
- You can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol, but not in a Bar, Pub, Tavern, Bar &
Grill, etc. unless you have the owners permission.
- You can drink while carrying, but be smart here. No where does it say you can't have "a"
drink.
- No carry at all in a Government building, or building that houses Goverment officials.
- State parks are fine, but you can't enter buildings. "Government Buildings"
- The "Public Gathering" law is gone!! You can carry to concerts, sporting events, parades,
malls, and organized gatherings. I suggest you CC though. Even though its legal, you can
be asked to leave. If asked, do so!
- "NO GUNS" Allowed in church, and schools still.
There are 3 code sections for the state of Georgia that detail the places off limits for a person with a Georgia Weapons Carry License. The places off limits, unless otherwise listed, does not include the parking lot (as long as the weapon stays in the vehicle). This does not mean that everywhere else is ok, there are federal laws that also come into play. Some Federal laws may not be listed.
Carrying Weapons in an Unauthorized Location. Georgia Code 16-11-127
Certain exceptions may apply. See subsection (d) of Georgia Code 16-11-127. Also note that the Weapons License is for carry of a handgun or knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense consisting of a blade that is greater than five inches in length which is fastened to a handle.
In a government building
"Government building" means:
(A) The building in which a government entity is housed;
(B) The building where a government entity meets in its official capacity; provided, however, that if such building is not a publicly owned building, such building shall be considered a government building for the purposes of this Code section only during the time such government entity is meeting at such building; or
(C) The portion of any building that is not a publicly owned building that is occupied by a government entity.
"Government entity" means an office, agency, authority, department, commission, board, body, division, instrumentality, or institution of the state or any county, municipal corporation, consolidated government, or local board of education within this state.
In a courthouse
"Courthouse" means a building occupied by judicial courts and containing rooms in which judicial proceedings are held
In a jail or prison
In a place of worship
In a state mental health facility as defined in Code Section 37-1-1 which admits individuals on an involuntary basis for treatment of mental illness, developmental disability, or addictive disease; provided, however, that carrying a weapon or long gun in such location in a manner in compliance with paragraph (3) of subsection (d) of this Code section shall not constitute a violation of this subsection;
In a bar, unless the owner of the bar permits the carrying of weapons or long guns by license holders;
"Bar" means an establishment that is devoted to the serving of alcoholic beverages for consumption by guests on the premises and in which the serving of food is only incidental to the consumption of those beverages, including, but not limited to, taverns, nightclubs, cocktail lounges, and cabarets.
On the premises of a nuclear power facility, except as provided in Code Section 16-11-127.2, and the punishment provisions of Code Section 16-11-127.2 shall supersede the punishment provisions of this Code section;
Does not include parking lot
Within 150 feet of any polling place, except as provided in subsection (i) of Code Section 21-2-413.
Does not include parking lot
School Safety Zone Georgia Code 16-11-127.1
"School safety zone" means in or on any real property owned by or leased to any public or private elementary school, secondary school, or school board and used for elementary or secondary education and in or on the campus of any public or private technical school, vocational school, college, university, or institution of postsecondary education.
A person who is licensed in accordance with Code Section 16-11-129 or issued a permit pursuant to Code Section 43-38-10, when such person carries or picks up a student at a school building, school function, or school property or on a bus or other transportation furnished by the school or a person who is licensed in accordance with Code Section 16-11-129 or issued a permit pursuant to Code Section 43-38-10 when he or she has any weapon legally kept within a vehicle when such vehicle is parked at such school property or is in transit through a designated school zone;
A weapon possessed by a license holder which is under the possessor's control in a motor vehicle or which is in a locked compartment of a motor vehicle or one which is in a locked container in or a locked firearms rack which is on a motor vehicle which is being used by an adult over 21 years of age to bring to or pick up a student at a school building, school function, or school property or on a bus or other transportation furnished by the school, or when such vehicle is used to transport someone to an activity being conducted on school property which has been authorized by a duly authorized official of the school; provided, however, that this exception shall not apply to a student attending such school;
Nuclear Power Facility Georgia Code 16-11-127.2
Except as provided in subsection (c) of this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person to carry, possess, or have under such person's control while on the premises of a nuclear power facility a firearm or weapon. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Any person who violates subsection (a) of this Code section with the intent to do bodily harm on the premises of a nuclear power facility shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000, by imprisonment for not less than two nor more than 20 years, or both.
This Code section shall not apply to a security officer authorized to carry dangerous weapons pursuant to Code Section 16-11-124 who is acting in connection with his or her official duties on the premises of a federally licensed nuclear power facility; nor shall this Code section apply to persons designated in paragraph (3), (4), (5), or (9) of subsection (c) of Code Section 16-11-127.1.
Army Corps of Engineers Federal Regulation 36 CFR 327.13 (List of Georgia lakes managed by the Corps of Engineers)
(a) The possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, loaded projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, crossbows, or other weapons is prohibited unless:
(1) In the possession of a Federal, state or local law enforcement officer;
(2) Being used for hunting or fishing as permitted under §327.8, with devices being unloaded when transported to, from or between hunting and fishing sites;
(3) Being used at authorized shooting ranges; or
(4) Written permission has been received from the District Commander.
(b) Possession of explosives or explosive devices of any kind, including fireworks or other pyrotechnics, is prohibited unless written permission has been received from the District Commander.
No Signage Laws
A "No Firearms" sign on a private business does not mean anything. If your firearm is noticed, they simply ask you to leave. If the police arrive and you still refuse to leave you can be charged with criminal trespass. You keep your permit even if convicted.
However, some legitimate places that are off limits (such as those listed above) may have signs posted to inform you they are off-limits. You will lose your permit for several years if caught and convicted.
So, just because you see a sign does not mean it is or isn't off-limits and just because you don't see a sign does not mean it is or isn't off-limits.
