Open Carry in Georgia (2024)

FAQs

Can anyone open carry in Georgia? ›

Open carry is legal in Georgia only with a Georgia Weapons Carry License (WCL) or a concealed carry permit from a state Georgia honors. Some areas are off-limits, including schools and courthouses. Open carry is not addressed in the constitutional carry bill that was signed into law on April 12, 2022.

Georgia generally allows anyone who is not prohibited from possessing firearms to have or carry a firearm on their person inside their motor vehicle.

We know that a weapons carry license holder shall be authorized to carry a weapon in every location in this state not specifically prohibited by statue. You can find that authorization in Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-11-127. This includes public locations, banks, restaurants, and even the grocery store.

In Georgia, gun owners can carry a concealed handgun — without a permit.

This means as long as one may legally own a handgun they may have or carry the handgun, concealed or open, with a permit, as long as it is (1) Enclosed in a case (holster) and (2) not loaded.

Under permitless carry legislation enacted in 2022,² Georgia law now generally authorizes any “lawful weapons carrier” to carry handguns openly or concealed in most public spaces without any permit required.

Pursuant to California Penal Code section 25610, a United States citizen over 18 years of age who is not prohibited from firearm possession, and who resides or is temporarily in California, may transport by motor vehicle any handgun provided it is unloaded and locked in the vehicle's trunk or in a locked container.

Georgia has state preemption where weapon laws are uniform through the state, and you can carry everywhere in public that isn't specifically prohibited by law, though private property can still prohibit it and ask you to to leave.

In a courthouse,² jail, or prison. In a place of worship, unless the governing body or authority of the place of worship permits the carrying of firearms by “lawful weapons carriers” who are authorized to carry firearms in most public spaces. Within 150 feet of any active polling place, except for security personnel.

Georgia is what is known as a “Stand Your Ground” state. Here, there is no duty to retreat from imminent danger before defending yourself or others. As long as the threat is reasonably imminent, you can use force to protect yourself without being required to first try to get away from the threat.

Can I carry my gun from Georgia to Florida? ›

Effective July 1, 2023, the state of Florida acknowledges all concealed firearm licenses lawfully issued by another state.

One of the most significant changes to Georgia gun laws in 2024 involves the concept of concealed carry. Georgia now issues Weapons Carry Licenses (WCL) for any resident who wants to be able to carry their firearms with them in public spaces.

Currently, there are 45 states in the US, and the District of Columbia, that allow open carry of firearms in some form or another – 38 allow open carry without a permit, and 7 require a permit.