No. Georgia does not have a red flag law.

Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in Georgia, except local municipalities may regulate: The discharge of firearms; The transport, carrying or possession of firearms by county or city employees in the course of their employment; and Requiring heads of households to own guns. [Ga. Code Ann. §16-11-173]

Carry While Using Alcohol or Drugs?

Not while under the influence of alcohol (BAC of 0.08 or greater) or any drug or any combination of alcohol and any drug to the extent that it is unsafe for the person to discharge such firearm except in the defense of life, health, and property. In addition, any amount of marijuana or a controlled substance, as defined in GA Code § 16-13-21, present in the person's blood or urine, or both, including the metabolites and derivatives of each or both without regard to whether or not any alcohol is present in the person's breath or blood, is illegal. [GA Code § 16-11-134] As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

DRIVER'S LICENSE LINKED TO Carry License?

No. Your Georgia driver’s license is not linked to your Georgia weapons carry license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer (LEO) will not be notified that you are a concealed carry license holder immediately when they run your driver’s license. However, LEOs may have access to other databases where they can obtain this information.

"No Weapons Allowed" Signs Enforced?

No. "No Weapons Allowed" signs are not enforced in Georgia.

Duty to Inform Officer You're Carrying?

There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Georgia. [Ga. Code Ann. §16-11-137]

No definition of brandishing was found in Georgia law. However, a person commits the offense of disorderly conduct when such person acts in a violent or tumultuous manner toward another person whereby such person is placed in reasonable fear of the safety of such person's life, limb or health or acts in a violent or tumultuous manner toward another person whereby the property of such person is placed in danger of being damaged or destroyed. [Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-39] A person is guilty of a crime when he intentionally and without legal justification points or aims a gun or pistol at another, whether the gun or pistol is loaded or unloaded. [Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-102]

PUBLIC ACCESS TO CONCEALED CARRY REGISTRY?

No. However, the information is available for law enforcement.

WHAT ARE THE KNIFE LAWS IN GEORGIA?

It is legal to carry, open or concealed, a knife with a blade 12 inches or less in length without a license. A knife with a blade longer than 12 inches in length can be carried with a concealed carry license. [Ga. Code Ann. §§ 16-11-126(h)(1) & 16-11-125.1(2)]

WEAR A COVID MASK & CARRY?

Although GCA § 16-11-38 makes it illegal to wear a mask, to conceal the identity of the wearer, on April 13, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order No. 04.13.20.02 related to the COVID-19 emergency, ordering that the law shall not apply to any person wearing “a mask for the purpose of complying with the guidance of any healthcare agency or to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

CARRY WHILE BOW HUNTING?

Yes, if such person is a lawful weapons carrier. [GA Code § 27-3-6]

HUNTER HARASSMENT LAW?

Yes. It is unlawful for any person to interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife by another person by intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent such person from such lawful taking of wildlife. [GA Code § 27-3-151]

CARRY WHILE GUN HUNTING?

Yes, if such person is a lawful weapons carrier. [O.C.G.A. 27-3-1.1]

Georgia gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

Georgia is a shall-issue state with concealed weapons licenses issued at the county level and filed with the probate court in the county of residence.

There is no license, background check or firearms registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual.

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.

Concealed carry is legal for residents of Georgia with a WCL, any lawful weapons carrier, and non-residents with a license/permit issued by any other state. There is no firearms training required to obtain a Georgia WCL. You must be at least 21 years old (18 for members of the military) to get a concealed carry license in Georgia. No license is needed to carry a handgun in a person’s home, vehicle, place of business, while fishing or hunting, or unloaded in a case. The city of Kennesaw has a law enacted in 1982 requiring every head of household within city limits to maintain a firearm. In terms of reciprocity, Governor Kemp signed HB 218 into law on April 12, 2022, recognizing firearms licenses from all other states. Holders of licenses that expired during the COVID state of emergency period must apply for a renewal license within 120 days of the expiration date on the face of the license.

On April 12, 2022, Gov. Brian Kemp signed SB 319 into law, permitting constitutional carry in Georgia. The law will go into effect immediately.

Where can I carry with my Georgia permit?

Yes

Yes, Constitutional Carry

Yes, Other Restrictions

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Georgia Concealed Carry License Information

Valid For:

5 years

Fees:

Initial License ~$75, varies by county

Renewal (within renewal period) ~$35

Lost/Stolen Licenses:

Report it to the judge of the probate court of the county in which it was issued within 48 hours of the time the loss or damage becomes known. The judge of the probate court will issue a cancellation order and provide a replacement license. A replacement fee will be charged.

Non-Resident Concealed Carry licenses:

Yes, but only to members of the military permanently stationed in Georgia. The process is the same as for residents.

Name/Address Changes:

The process for obtaining a replacement license varies by county and can be verified through your county probate court. You may need to provide:

An affidavit for name change or address change
A Copy of your Georgia driver's license listing new county of residence; or
Documents linking your name to the new physical address (i.e., a copy of lease, utility bill, etc.).

For a name change

A copy of your Georgia driver's license noting new name; or
A court order or marriage license showing your new name.

Fees - Vary by county.

Requirements:

An applicant must:

Be at least 21 years of age or 18 if in the military, have completed basic training, and can provide proof that you are either on active duty or have been honorably discharged;
Be a Georgia resident;
Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident;
Have no felony convictions or pending criminal proceedings;
Have no drug convictions (Examples: using or possessing drugs, making drugs, distributing a controlled substance)*;
Have no other disqualifying convictions (Examples: carrying a concealed weapon without a license, domestic violence)*;
Have not been in a mental hospital or drug or alcohol treatment center within the last 5 years*;
Have not been committed to a mental hospital against your will; and
Meet federal law requirements.

*In some situations, you can ask for approval from the county probate judge. Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Georgia.

Processing Time:

60 days

Application:

Link to online application. Note-Some counties may not be listed as they require an in-person appointment.

Residency Changes:

Moving to Georgia and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?Georgia issues licenses to residents and members of the military only. You can apply for your license to the sheriff of your county once you have established your residence in that county. If you have a valid concealed carry license in any other state that recognizes a Georgia weapons carry license, you may carry a weapon in Georgia for 90 days after you become a Georgia state resident provided, however, you carry the weapon in compliance with Georgia laws and you submit a weapons carry license application as soon as practicable, and that you remain licensed in the other state until you obtain your Georgia weapons carry license.

Moving from Georgia and have a Georgia resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Georgia license remains valid?If a person with a Georgia weapons carry license establishes residency in another state, the license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.

How to get a Georgia Concealed Weapons Permit

Step 1:

Complete the application online or, if your county isn't listed online, make an appointment with the probate court in your county.

Step 2:

You will need the following documents in order to submit your application;

Drivers license or state ID card:
Completed application form
Proof of Georgia residency for residents
Proof of U.S. citizenship or your INS number

Provide your fingerprints. (Depending on the probate court’s process, it will either take your fingerprints there or give you a law enforcement affidavit to have your fingerprints taken at a police department. You will need to do this within five days of submitting your application.)

Pay the fee.

Step 3:

You will be notified if your application has been approved.

Concealed Carry Locations FAQ

carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas (wmas)?

Yes

Yes. Concealed firearms are allowed in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Georgia.

[Ga. Code Ann. §16-11-126(g)]

carry in vehicle?

Yes

Yes, any person not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun may carry a weapon openly or concealed without a license in his or her own vehicle (owned or rented). In a vehicle you do not own, you must have the permission of the person who has legal control of the vehicle.

[Ga. Code Ann. §16-11-126]

carry/possess at a hotel?

See details

Georgia statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

store in a vehicle in an employee parking lot?

Yes

No private or public employer, including the state and its political subdivisions, can condition employment upon any agreement by a prospective employee on prohibiting firearms or ammunition in the employees privately owned motor vehicle, provided any firearm or ammunition is locked and out of sight and the employee has a Georgia weapons carry license.

This provision does not apply to an employer providing a secure parking area not accessible to the general public or to an area used for parking on a temporary basis, among other exceptions. In addition, this provision does not restrict the rights of private property owners or persons in legal control of property, and when a private property owner or person in legal control of property is also an employer, his or her rights as a private property owner or person in legal control of property govern.

State law allows a license holder to possess a firearm in a motor vehicle parked in a parking facility of a government entity, courthouse, jail, prison, place of worship, bar or school safety zone, so long as the firearm is in the locked compartment of the vehicle, or in a locked container in or a locked firearms rack on the vehicle.

[Ga. Code Ann. §§ 16-11-127(a)(5)][Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-135(a)]

carry at roadside rest areas?

Yes

Yes. Carrying a concealed firearm at rest areas is allowed in Georgia.

carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol?

Yes

Yes. There is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry with a Georgia Weapons Carry License or a license/permit issued by a state that Georgia honors, unless posted.

Georgia Self-Defense Laws

Defense of Property Other Than Habitation

A person is justified in threatening or using force when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that such threat or force is necessary to prevent or terminate trespass on or other tortious or criminal interference with real property other than a habitation or personal property:

Lawfully in his possession or in the possession of a member of his immediate family
Belonging to a person whose property he has a legal duty to protect

The use of deadly force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm to prevent trespass on or other tortious or criminal interference with real property other than a habitation or personal property is only justified if it is necessary to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

“Habitation” means any dwelling, motor vehicle or place of business.

“Personal property” means personal property other than a motor vehicle.

[Ga. Code Ann. §§ 16-3-21, 16-3-23, 16-3-23.1, 16-3-23, 16-3-24 & 16-3-24.1]

Defense of Habitation

A person is justified in threatening or using force when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes that such threat or force is necessary to prevent or terminate such other’s unlawful entry into or attack upon a habitation; however, such person is justified in the use of deadly force only if:

The entry is made or attempted in a violent and tumultuous manner for the purpose of assaulting or offering personal violence to any person in the dwelling;
That force is used against another person who is not a member of the family or household and who unlawfully and forcibly enters or has entered the residence; or
The person using such force reasonably believes that the entry is made or attempted for the purpose of committing a felony.

Self-Defense

Georgia is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” statute. There is no duty to retreat in defense of a forcible felony, such as rape, armed robbery or kidnapping.

Georgia Gun Law Updates

DateDetails

2025-04-03

Added non-lethal weapons to Carry Basics section.

2022-04-12

Added SB 319

2021-05-17

Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table

Yes, Selected State:	Georgia
Yes, Constitutional Carry:	Alaska, Wyoming, Arizona, Ohio, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Idaho, Vermont, Maine, Kansas, Utah, Alabama, North Dakota, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Florida, Louisiana, Nebraska, Texas, Indiana, New Hampshire, Montana, West Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Iowa, South Dakota
Yes, Allowed to Carry:	North Carolina
Yes, With Restrictions:	Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania
No, Carry Not Allowed	Illinois, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Minnesota, District of Columbia, Oregon, Maryland, Nevada, Delaware, Connecticut, New York City, New Mexico, New York, Hawaii, Washington, New Jersey, California, Puerto Rico