Georgia House Bill HB554

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/22/23

Caption

Crimes and offenses; furnishing of a semiautomatic assault weapon to a person under the age of 21 years; prohibit

Impact

If enacted, HB 554 will significantly impact current state laws concerning firearm possession, especially how they apply to minors. Under the new provisions, individuals under 18 will be unable to possess handguns, and those aged 18 to 20 will be restricted from owning or purchasing semiautomatic assault weapons. This shift in legislation could deter underage access to potentially dangerous firearms and aims to align with existing laws that regulate handgun possession by minors, thus reinforcing the framework already in place.

Summary

House Bill 554 aims to strengthen firearm regulations in Georgia by prohibiting the sale or furnishing of semiautomatic assault weapons to individuals under the age of 21. This legislative action is framed as a public safety measure, responding to growing concerns about gun violence and the access that younger individuals might have to high-capacity firearms. The bill revises definitions within the Official Code of Georgia Annotated and sets clear penalties for violations of these regulations, including fines and potential imprisonment.

Contention

The bill is likely to generate substantial debate among lawmakers and interest groups. Supporters argue that increasing the age limit for semiautomatic weapons possession is a necessary step in reducing gun-related incidents among youth, while opponents may view this as an infringement on personal rights and Second Amendment freedoms. Additionally, discussions may arise concerning the efficacy of such restrictions in actually curbing gun violence, with detractors questioning whether the bill effectively targets the root causes of crime and gun-related incidents.