Gun Carry

SB 291 – Senator David Shafer
This bill would no longer require that a properly licensed concealed weapon be carried in a holster. It would also allow a person licensed to carry a firearm to carry it in his or her vehicle while dropping off and picking up passengers at airports and airport facilities.

This bill would also require the probate judge to notify a firearm license holder at least 90 days before their license expires. If the license holder submits the proper forms at least 45 days before the current license expires, then the probate judge must run a criminal background check within two business days. The Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation must return the report to the probate judge within 30 days. If the license holder is not a U.S. citizen, then the probate judge shall order a search by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to verify eligibility for renewal. Within 10 days, the probate judge must determine the license holder's eligibility before renewing the license for an additional five years. If the judge determines that the person is not eligible for a license renewal, he or she would have to notify the license holder in writing of the reasons for denial. According to this bill, fingerprinting of license applicants would no longer be required for renewals.

According to this bill, fingerprints would not longer be required to be on the actual license.

During a state of emergency, this bill would prohibit any state or county official or member of the National Guard from seizing any firearms or from requiring any registration of firearms not otherwise required to be licensed. Additionally, no state or county official could prohibit the carrying of firearms by anyone otherwise authorized to carry a weapon. Anyone who has their firearm confiscation in violation of this law, may file an action in superior court. If the individual prevails, then he or she would be entitled to attorneys fees.

SB 308 – Senator Mitch Seabaugh
This bill would remove the requirement that someone with a license to carry a concealed weapon keep it in a holster.

This bill also comprehensively re-writes the law regarding deadly weapons at public gatherings. For counties, defines "government building" only as a privately owned building where the governing authority meets in its official capacity. It does not include a building owned by the county. This bill makes it a misdemeanor for someone without a license to bring a weapon into a "government building," a courtroom or a jail. However, it does not include the remainder of the courthouse, a county administration building, a correctional institution, a library or any other county owned property. Although private property owners retain the right to prohibit a weapon in a specific location of a private building, there is no similar right for the county to protect county owned property.

This bill also would change the procedure for obtaining a weapons license. It moves the application process from the probate judge to the Secretary of State. It limits the fee that may be charge to run the background check and fingerprints to $25.

HB 615 – Rep. Tim Bearden
This bill provides for a comprehensive revision of the concealed weapons statute. It authorizes a person possessing a license to be able to carry a firearm in every location in the state, except for portions of a building that houses a courtroom or a jail or prison. It further prohibits the seizure or registration of firearms, suspension or limit of sale, dispensing, or transportation of firearms, or any additional limitations on carrying firearms during official states of emergency. ACCG hopes to work with the author to allow local governments to prohibit guns in all Board of Commissioners meetings and offices.