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GA HB1358

Bill

Status

Engrossed

3/11/2022

Primary Sponsor

Mandi Ballinger

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2021-2022 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Eliminates the requirement for a weapons carry license to carry a handgun in public for any person not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, establishing "constitutional carry" in Georgia
  • Creates the new legal category of "lawful weapons carrier," defined as any person not prohibited by law from possessing a weapon or long gun, any Georgia weapons carry license holder, or any person licensed to carry in a state with reciprocity
  • Replaces references to "license holder" throughout Georgia code with "lawful weapons carrier," extending carry privileges in parks, historic sites, recreational areas, wildlife management areas, public transportation, government buildings (without security screening), and public college/university campuses
  • Removes the criminal offense of carrying a weapon without a license (Code Section 16-11-126), effectively reserving it, while maintaining existing prohibitions on carrying in courthouses, jails, places of worship (without permission), mental health facilities, nuclear power facilities, and within 150 feet of polling places
  • Prohibits detaining a person carrying a weapon solely to investigate whether they hold a weapons carry license or qualify as a lawful weapons carrier, and takes effect upon the Governor's approval

Legislative Description

Chairman John Meadows Act; enact

Last Action

Senate Read Second Time

3/28/2022

Committee Referrals

Judiciary3/16/2022
Public Safety and Homeland Security2/15/2022

Full Bill Text

No bill text available