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The short answer: Permitless carry allows an eligible adult to carry a handgun in most public places without first obtaining a Georgia weapons carry license. Georgia became a permitless carry state when SB 319 took effect on April 12, 2022. But “permitless” is not the same as “anywhere, no rules.” Some places, people, and weapons remain off-limits.
A weapons charge can feel confusing and unfair, especially if you thought you were following the law. Plenty of people in Carrollton assume permitless carry means they can carry anywhere, and that one misunderstanding is how law-abiding individuals end up charged. Here is what Georgia law actually allows, where the lines fall, and how a free evaluation can help if you have been charged.
Here is what our Carrollton criminal defense lawyers will cover.
– What permitless carry in Georgia actually means
– What the law did not change
– What happens if you are charged with a weapons offense
– How Moffitt Law can help
What Is Permitless Carry, and Is Georgia a Permitless Carry State?
Yes. SB 319, known as the Chairman John Meadows Act, took effect on April 12, 2022. The Georgia weapons carry license is no longer required for anyone eligible, so a qualifying adult can carry a handgun, openly or concealed, in most public places without first getting one.
Who qualifies? Under Georgia law, a lawful weapons carrier is any person who is licensed or eligible for a license and who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a weapon. In plain terms, that usually means a legal resident with no disqualifying record, because no weapons carry license may be issued to anyone under 21 years of age or anyone convicted of a felony. The license still exists. It is just optional for those who qualify.
What Did Georgia’s Permitless Carry Law Not Change?
Permitless carry did not erase the rules about where you can carry, who can carry, and what you can carry. That is the biggest misconception, and it is exactly where people get into trouble.
Prohibited locations
Georgia still bans carrying in specific places. Under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127, those include government buildings screened by security, courthouses, jails and prisons, places of worship unless the governing body allows it, state mental health facilities, and within 150 feet of a polling place during an election. Separate laws cover school safety zones and commercial service airports. Carrying in an unauthorized location is generally punished as a misdemeanor.
Prohibited people
Some individuals cannot carry at all. Georgia law bars anyone convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-131, which is a felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison. People under 21 and those with certain mental health adjudications also fall outside lawful weapons carrier status.
Prohibited weapons
Permitless carry covers handguns, not everything else. Under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-122, no one may possess a sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, dangerous weapon, or silencer except as allowed by law, which generally requires registration under the federal National Firearms Act.
What Happens If You’re Charged With a Weapons Offense?
A weapons charge can run from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on the facts. Unlawful carrying is a misdemeanor for a first offense. A second offense within five years, and any later offense, is a felony punishable by two to five years in prison. Possession by a prohibited person, such as a convicted felon, is a felony from the start.
A charge is not a conviction. Where you were, what you knew, and how the stop and search unfolded all matter, and each can be challenged. If you are facing a weapons charge, contact us for a free evaluation before you talk to anyone else.
How Moffitt Law Can Help
Proven Results, Proven Lawyer. Tyler Moffitt has more than 10 years of experience defending clients in Georgia courts. He prepares thoroughly, lays out your options in plain language, and treats you as a person with a future worth fighting for, not a case number.
From our Carrollton office at 202 Bradley St e9, Moffitt Law serves clients throughout Georgia. Your evaluation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation. Contact us today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Permitless Carry in Georgia
Do I still need a license to carry in Georgia?
No, not if you are a lawful weapons carrier, meaning you are eligible for a license and not prohibited from having a firearm. Many people still get a license because it helps when carrying in other states that recognize Georgia permits.
Can I carry a gun anywhere now?
No. Permitless carry does not override the prohibited locations in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127, such as courthouses, jails, and screened government buildings. Private property owners can also forbid firearms on their property.
What should I do if I’m charged with a weapons offense?
Do not assume a charge means a conviction. Contact Moffitt Law for a free evaluation so we can review the stop, the location, and the facts, then walk you through your options.
