Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB601 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	25 LC 56 0294
2	2	House Bill 601
3	3	By: Representatives Jackson of the 68
4	4	th
5	5	, Au of the 50
6	6	th
7	7	, Mitchell of the 88
8	8	th
9	9	, Draper of the
10	10	90
11	11	th
12	12	, and Sanchez of the 42
13	13	nd
14	14
15	15	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
16	16	AN ACT
17	17	To amend Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16, Chapter 8 of Title 35, and Article 2 of Chapter
18	18	1
19	19	3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dangerous2
20	20	instrumentalities and practices, the employment and training of peace officers, and3
21	21	organization and administration relative to emergency management, respectively, so as to4
22	22	broadly increase the regulation surrounding gun sales and ownership; to provide for the5
23	23	offense of selling or furnishing handguns or long guns to minors; to prohibit parents or legal6
24	24	guardians from permitting the possession of handguns or long guns by a minor in certain7
25	25	circumstances; to provide for exceptions; to provide for the offense of the possession of a8
26	26	large capacity magazine or a firearm produced by means of 3D printing; to provide for9
27	27	circumstances under which individuals who are not licensed to carry a weapon may transport10
28	28	such weapon; to provide a time frame for new residents of the state to obtain a weapons carry11
29	29	license; to provide for school safety zones to extend 500 yards from school premises; to12
30	30	require weapons carry licenses to be renewed each year; to reduce the fee for weapons carry13
31	31	licenses; to provide for certain conditions to obtain or renew a weapons carry license,14
32	32	including for active service members; to prohibit anyone under the age of 16 years from15
33	33	possessing or controlling a handgun or long gun; to provide for anyone under the age of 1816
34	34	years from possessing or controlling a handgun or long gun without parental or guardian17
35	35	supervision or in certain circumstances; to require individuals who are carrying a weapon to18
36	36	H. B. 601
37	37	- 1 - 25 LC 56 0294
38	38	have a weapons carry license on their person; to provide for the establishment of the Georgia
39	39	19
40	40	Firearms Registry; to require the registration of all firearms sales and transfers in this state20
41	41	after a certain date; to require certain information to be entered into the Georgia Firearms21
42	42	Registry; to provide for requirements for safe storage of a firearm in a vehicle; to provide for22
43	43	requirements for safe storage of firearms when the owner is not present on the premises; to23
44	44	provide for exceptions; to provide for safe storage of firearms when access by a child is24
45	45	reasonably likely; to require ammunition be stored separately from firearms; to subject all25
46	46	transfers or purchases of firearms at gun shows to the National Instant Criminal Background26
47	47	Check System; to provide for facilitation by licensed dealers; to prohibit sales of firearms to27
48	48	individuals under the age of 21; to require a five-day waiting period to complete transactions28
49	49	for firearms to individuals under the age of 27; to prohibit the sale or transfer by certain29
50	50	dealers of assault weapons in this state until a certain date; to prohibit the certification or30
51	51	hiring of any individual as a peace officer who has been terminated for misconduct related31
52	52	to any previous employment as a peace officer; to provide for exceptions; to provide for32
53	53	violations, penalties, and fines; to provide for definitions; to provide for conforming changes;33
54	54	to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for34
55	55	other purposes.35
56	56	BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:36
57	57	SECTION 1.37
58	58	This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Gun Safe Act of 2025."38
59	59	SECTION 2.39
60	60	Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to40
61	61	dangerous instrumentalities and practices, is amended in Part 1, relating to general41
62	62	H. B. 601
63	63	- 2 - 25 LC 56 0294
64	64	provisions, by revising Code Section 16-11-101.1, relating to furnishing pistol or revolver
65	65	42
66	66	to person under the age of 18 years, as follows:43
67	67	"16-11-101.1.44
68	68	(a) For the purposes of
69	69	As used in this Code section, the term:45
70	70	(1) 'Handgun' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 16-11-125.1.46
71	71	(2) 'Long gun' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 16-11-125.1.47
72	72	(3) 'Minor' means any person under the age of 18 years.48
73	73	(2) 'Pistol or revolver' means a handgun as defined in Code Section 16-11-125.1.49
74	74	(b) It shall be unlawful for a person to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly to sell or50
75	75	furnish a pistol or revolver handgun or long gun to a minor, except that it shall be lawful51
76	76	for a parent or legal guardian to permit possession of a pistol or revolver handgun or long52
77	77	gun by a minor for the purposes specified in subsection (c) (d) of Code Section 16-11-13253
78	78	unless otherwise expressly limited by subsection (c) of this Code section.54
79	79	(c)(1) It shall be unlawful for a parent or legal guardian to permit possession of a pistol55
80	80	or revolver handgun or long gun by a minor if the parent or legal guardian knows of a56
81	81	minor's conduct which violates the provisions of Code Section 16-11-132 and fails to57
82	82	make reasonable efforts to prevent any such violation of Code Section 16-11-132.58
83	83	(2) Notwithstanding any provisions of subsection (c) (d) of Code Section 16-11-132 or59
84	84	any other law to the contrary, it shall be unlawful for any parent or legal guardian to60
85	85	intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly to furnish to or permit a minor to possess a pistol61
86	86	or revolver handgun or long gun if such parent or legal guardian is aware of a substantial62
87	87	risk that such minor will use a pistol or revolver to commit a felony offense or if such63
88	88	parent or legal guardian who is aware of such substantial risk fails to make reasonable64
89	89	efforts to prevent commission of the offense by the minor.65
90	90	(3) In addition to any other act which violates this subsection, a parent or legal guardian66
91	91	shall be deemed to have violated this subsection if such parent or legal guardian furnishes67
92	92	to or permits possession of a pistol or revolver handgun or long gun by any minor who68
93	93	H. B. 601
94	94	- 3 - 25 LC 56 0294
95	95	has been convicted of a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as defined in Code
96	96	69
97	97	Section 16-1-3, or who has been adjudicated for committing a delinquent act under the70
98	98	provisions of Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 for an offense which would constitute71
99	99	a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as defined in Code Section 16-1-3, if such72
100	100	minor were an adult.73
101	101	(d) Upon conviction of a violation of subsection (b) or (c) of this Code section, a person74
102	102	shall be guilty of a felony and punished by a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 or by75
103	103	imprisonment for not less than three nor more than five years, or both."76
104	104	SECTION 3.77
105	105	Said article is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:78
106	106	"16-11-114.
107	107	79
108	108	(a) As used in this Code section, the term '3D printed firearm' means any weapon produced80
109	109	by means of three-dimensional printing from computer-aided design files which is designed81
110	110	or intended to propel a missile of any kind and which is not produced subject to a license82
111	111	from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of the United States83
112	112	Department of Justice for the manufacture of firearms.84
113	113	(b) It shall be unlawful to print or to produce a 3D printed firearm in this state.85
114	114	(c) Any person that violates this Code section shall commit the offense of possessing a 3D86
115	115	printed firearm and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for a87
116	116	period of five years."88
117	117	SECTION 4.89
118	118	Said article is further amended by revising Part 2, relating to possession of dangerous90
119	119	weapons, as follows:91
120	120	H. B. 601
121	121	- 4 - 25 LC 56 0294
122	122	"Part 2
123	123	92
124	124	16-11-120.93
125	125	This part shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Firearms and Weapons Act.'94
126	126	16-11-121.95
127	127	As used in this part, the term:96
128	128	(1) '3D printed firearm' means any weapon produced by means of three-dimensional
129	129	97
130	130	printing from computer-aided design files which is designed or intended to propel a98
131	131	missile of any kind and which is not produced subject to a license from the Bureau of99
132	132	Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of the United States Department of Justice100
133	133	for the manufacture of firearms.101
134	134	(2) 'Dangerous weapon' means any weapon commonly known as a 'rocket launcher,'102
135	135	'bazooka,' or 'recoilless rifle' rocket launcher, bazooka, or recoilless rifle which fires103
136	136	explosive or nonexplosive rockets designed to injure or kill personnel or destroy heavy104
137	137	armor, or similar weapon used for such purpose. The Such term shall also mean a105
138	138	weapon commonly known as a 'mortar' mortar which fires high explosive from a metallic106
139	139	cylinder and which is commonly used by the armed forces as an antipersonnel weapon107
140	140	or similar weapon used for such purpose. The Such term shall also mean a weapon108
141	141	commonly known as a 'hand grenade' hand grenade or other similar weapon which is109
142	142	designed to explode and injure personnel or similar weapon used for such purpose.110
143	143	(3) 'Large capacity magazine' means any ammunition feeding device with the capacity111
144	144	to accept more than sixteen rounds of ammunition; provided, however, that such term112
145	145	shall not include:113
146	146	(A) A feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate114
147	147	more than ten rounds; or115
148	148	(B) A tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.116
149	149	H. B. 601
150	150	- 5 - 25 LC 56 0294
151	151	(2)(4) 'Machine gun' means any weapon which shoots or is designed to shoot,117
152	152	automatically, more than six shots, without manual reloading, by a single function of the118
153	153	trigger.119
154	154	(3)(5) 'Person' means any individual, partnership, company, association, or corporation.120
155	155	(4)(6) 'Sawed-off rifle' means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and121
156	156	intended to be fired from the shoulder; and designed or redesigned, made or remade, to122
157	157	use the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile123
158	158	through a rifle bore for each single pull of the trigger; and which has a barrel or barrels124
159	159	of less than 16 inches in length or has an overall length of less than 26 inches.125
160	160	(5)(7) 'Sawed-off shotgun' means a shotgun or any weapon made from a shotgun whether126
161	161	by alteration, modification, or otherwise having one or more barrels less than 18 inches127
162	162	in length or if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches.128
163	163	(6)(8) 'Shotgun' means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended129
164	164	to be fired from the shoulder; and designed or redesigned, and made or remade, to use the130
165	165	energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a131
166	166	number of ball shot or a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger.132
167	167	(7)(9) 'Silencer' means any device for silencing or diminishing the report of any portable133
168	168	weapon such as a rifle, carbine, pistol, revolver, machine gun, shotgun, fowling piece, or134
169	169	other device from which a shot, bullet, or projectile may be discharged by an explosive.135
170	170	16-11-122.136
171	171	No person shall have in his or her possession any 3D printed firearm, sawed-off shotgun,137
172	172	sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer138
173	173	except as provided in Code Section 16-11-124.139
174	174	H. B. 601
175	175	- 6 - 25 LC 56 0294
176	176	16-11-123.
177	177	140
178	178	A person commits the offense of unlawful possession of firearms or weapons when he or141
179	179	she knowingly has in his or her possession any 3D printed firearm,
180	180	sawed-off shotgun,142
181	181	sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer, and,143
182	182	upon conviction thereof, he or she shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of five144
183	183	years.145
184	184	16-11-124.146
185	185	This part shall not apply to:147
186	186	(1) A peace officer of any duly authorized police agency of this state or of any political148
187	187	subdivision thereof, or a law enforcement officer of any department or agency of the149
188	188	United States who is regularly employed and paid by the United States, this state, or any150
189	189	such political subdivision, or an employee of the Department of Corrections of this state151
190	190	who is authorized in writing by the commissioner of corrections to transfer or possess152
191	191	such firearms while in the official performance of his or her duties;153
192	192	(2) A member of the National Guard or of the armed forces of the United States,154
193	193	including to wit: the army, navy, marine corps, air force, space force, or coast guard who,155
194	194	while serving therein, possesses such firearm in the line of duty;156
195	195	(3) Any 3D printed firearm, sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large157
196	196	capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer which has been modified or changed158
197	197	to the extent that it is inoperative. Examples of the requisite modification include159
198	198	weapons with their barrel or barrels filled with lead, hand grenades filled with sand, or160
199	199	other nonexplosive materials;161
200	200	(4) Possession of a sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, dangerous weapon,162
201	201	or silencer by a person who is authorized to possess the same because he or she has163
202	202	registered the 3D printed firearm, sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large164
203	203	H. B. 601
204	204	- 7 - 25 LC 56 0294
205	205	capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer in accordance with the dictates of the165
206	206	National Firearms Act, 68A Stat. 725 (26 U.S.C. Sections 5841-5862); and166
207	207	(5) A security officer employed by a federally licensed nuclear power facility or a167
208	208	licensee of such facility, including a contract security officer, who is trained and qualified168
209	209	under a security plan approved by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission or169
210	210	other federal agency authorized to regulate nuclear facility security; provided, however,170
211	211	that this exemption shall apply only while such security officer is acting in connection171
212	212	with his or her official duties on the premises of such nuclear power facility or on172
213	213	properties outside the facility property pursuant to a written agreement entered into with173
214	214	the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the facility. The exemption174
215	215	under this paragraph does not include the possession of silencers.175
216	216	16-11-125.176
217	217	In any complaint, accusation, or indictment and in any action or proceeding brought for the177
218	218	enforcement of this part it shall not be necessary to negative any exception, excuse,178
219	219	proviso, or exemption contained in this part, and the burden of proof of any such exception,179
220	220	excuse, proviso, or exemption shall be upon the defendant."180
221	221	SECTION 5.181
222	222	Said article is further amended in Part 3, relating to carrying and possession of firearms, by182
223	223	revising Code Section 16-11-125.1, relating to definitions, as follows:183
224	224	"16-11-125.1.184
225	225	As used in this part, the term:185
226	226	(1) 'Handgun' means a firearm of any description, loaded or unloaded, from which any186
227	227	shot, bullet, or other missile can be discharged by an action of an explosive where the187
228	228	length of the barrel, not including any revolving, detachable, or magazine breech, does188
229	229	H. B. 601
230	230	- 8 - 25 LC 56 0294
231	231	not exceed 12 inches; provided, however, that the term 'handgun' such term shall not189
232	232	include a gun which discharges a single shot of 0.46 centimeter or less in diameter.190
233	233	(2) 'Knife' means a cutting instrument designed for the purpose of offense and defense191
234	234	consisting of a blade that is greater than 12 inches in length which is fastened to a handle.192
235	235	(2.1) 'Lawful weapons carrier' means any person who is licensed or eligible for a license193
236	236	pursuant to Code Section 16-11-129 and who is not otherwise prohibited by law from194
237	237	possessing a weapon or long gun, any resident of any other state who would otherwise195
238	238	be eligible to obtain a license pursuant to such Code section but for the residency196
239	239	requirement, and any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state.197
240	240	(3) 'License holder' means a person who holds a valid weapons carry license.198
241	241	(4) 'Long gun' means a firearm with a barrel length of at least 18 inches and overall199
242	242	length of at least 26 inches designed or made and intended to be fired from the shoulder200
243	243	and designed or made to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed:201
244	244	(A) Shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a single202
245	245	projectile for each single pull of the trigger or from which any shot, bullet, or other203
246	246	missile can be discharged; or204
247	247	(B) Metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a rifle bore for each single205
248	248	pull of the trigger;206
249	249	provided, however, that the term 'long gun' such term shall not include a gun which207
250	250	discharges a single shot of 0.46 centimeter or less in diameter.208
251	251	(5) 'Weapon' means a knife or handgun.209
252	252	(6) 'Weapons carry license' or 'license' means a license issued pursuant to Code Section210
253	253	16-11-129."211
254	254	SECTION 6.212
255	255	Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-126, relating to213
256	256	having or carrying handguns, long guns, or other weapons, exceptions for homes, motor214
257	257	H. B. 601
258	258	- 9 - 25 LC 56 0294
259	259	vehicles, private property, and other locations and conditions and unlawful carrying of a
260	260	215
261	261	weapon, as follows:216
262	262	"16-11-126.217
263	263	(a) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun may218
264	264	have or carry on his or her person a weapon or long gun on his or her property or inside his219
265	265	or her home, motor vehicle, or place of business.220
266	266	(b) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun may221
267	267	have or carry on his or her person a long gun.222
268	268	(c) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun may
269	269	223
270	270	have or carry any handgun, provided that it is enclosed in a case and unloaded.224
271	271	(d) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun who225
272	272	is eligible for a weapons carry license a lawful weapons carrier may transport a handgun226
273	273	or long gun in any private passenger motor vehicle; provided, however, that private227
274	274	property owners or persons in legal control of private property through a lease, rental228
275	275	agreement, licensing agreement, contract, or any other agreement to control access to such229
276	276	private property shall have the right to exclude or eject a person who is in possession of a230
277	277	weapon or long gun on their private property in accordance with paragraph (3) of231
278	278	subsection (b) of Code Section 16-7-21, except as provided in Code Section 16-11-135.232
279	279	(d)(e)(1) Any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state shall be authorized to233
280	280	carry a weapon in this state while the licensee is not a resident of this state; provided,234
281	281	however, that:235
282	282	(A) Such licensee person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state shall carry the236
283	283	weapon in compliance with the laws of this state; and237
284	284	(B) No other state shall be required to recognize and give effect to a license issued238
285	285	pursuant to this part that is held by a person who is younger than 21 years of age.239
286	286	H. B. 601
287	287	- 10 - 25 LC 56 0294
288	288	(2)(A) The Attorney General shall create and maintain on the Department of Law's
289	289	240
290	290	website a list of states whose laws recognize and give effect to a license issued pursuant241
291	291	to this part.242
292	292	(B) The Attorney General shall enter into an agreement with any state that requires an243
293	293	agreement to recognize and give effect to a license issued pursuant to this part.244
294	294	(C) Any person who is not a weapons carry license holder in this state and who is
295	295	245
296	296	licensed to carry a weapon in any other state whose laws recognize and give effect to246
297	297	a license issued pursuant to this part shall be authorized to carry a weapon in this state247
298	298	for 90 days after he or she becomes a resident of this state; provided, however, that such248
299	299	person shall carry the weapon in compliance with the laws of this state, shall as soon249
300	300	as practicable submit a weapons carry license application as provided for under Code250
301	301	Section 16-11-129, and shall remain licensed in such other state for the duration of time251
302	302	that he or she is a resident of this state but not a weapons carry license holder in this252
303	303	state.253
304	304	(e)(f)(1) Any person with a valid hunting or fishing license on his or her person, or any254
305	305	person not required by law to have a hunting or fishing license, who is engaged in legal255
306	306	hunting, fishing, or sport shooting when the person has the permission of the owner of256
307	307	the land on which the activities are being conducted may have or carry on his or her257
308	308	person a weapon or long gun while hunting, fishing, or engaging in sport shooting.258
309	309	(2) Any person with a valid hunting or fishing license on his or her person, or any person259
310	310	not required by law to have a hunting or fishing license, who is otherwise engaged in260
311	311	legal hunting, fishing, or sport shooting on recreational or wildlife management areas261
312	312	owned by this state may have or carry on his or her person a knife while engaging in such262
313	313	hunting, fishing, or sport shooting.263
314	314	(f)(g) Notwithstanding Code Sections 12-3-10, 27-3-1.1, 27-3-6, and 16-12-122 through264
315	315	16-12-127, any lawful weapons carrier may carry a weapon in all parks, historic sites, or265
316	316	recreational areas, as such term is defined in Code Section 12-3-10, including all publicly266
317	317	H. B. 601
318	318	- 11 - 25 LC 56 0294
319	319	owned buildings located in such parks, historic sites, and recreational areas, in wildlife
320	320	267
321	321	management areas, and on public transportation; provided, however, that a person shall not268
322	322	carry a handgun into a place where it is prohibited by federal law.269
323	323	(g)
324	324	(h)(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (a) through (f) (g) of this Code270
325	325	section, no person shall carry a weapon unless he or she is a lawful weapons carrier.271
326	326	(2) A person commits the offense of unlawful carrying of a weapon when he or she272
327	327	violates the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection.273
328	328	(h)(i) Upon conviction of the offense of unlawful carrying of a weapon, a person shall be274
329	329	punished as follows:275
330	330	(1) For the first offense, he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; and276
331	331	(2) For the second offense within five years, as measured from the dates of previous277
332	332	arrests for which convictions were obtained to the date of the current arrest for which a278
333	333	conviction is obtained, and for any subsequent offense, he or she shall be guilty of a279
334	334	felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned for not less than two years and280
335	335	not more than five years.281
336	336	(i)(j) Nothing in this Code section shall in any way operate or be construed to affect, repeal,282
337	337	or limit the exemptions provided for under Code Section 16-11-130."283
338	338	SECTION 7.284
339	339	Said article is further amended in said part in Code Section 16-11-127.1, relating to carrying285
340	340	weapons within school safety zones, at school functions, or on a bus or other transportation286
341	341	furnished by a school, by revising subsection (a), by reserving paragraph (6) of subsection287
342	342	(c), and by revising paragraph (20) of subsection (c) as follows:288
343	343	"(a) As used in this Code section, the term:289
344	344	(1) 'Bus or other transportation furnished by a school' means a bus or other transportation290
345	345	furnished by a public or private elementary or secondary school.291
346	346	H. B. 601
347	347	- 12 - 25 LC 56 0294
348	348	(2) 'School function' means a school function or related activity that occurs outside of a
349	349	292
350	350	school safety zone and is for a public or private elementary or secondary school.293
351	351	(3) 'School safety zone' means in or on
352	352	within 500 yards of any real property or building294
353	353	owned by or leased to:295
354	354	(A) Any public or private elementary school, secondary school, or local board of296
355	355	education and used for elementary or secondary education; and297
356	356	(B) Any public or private technical school, vocational school, college, university, or298
357	357	other institution of postsecondary education.299
358	358	(4) 'Weapon' means and includes any pistol, revolver, or any weapon designed or300
359	359	intended to propel a missile of any kind, or any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife,301
360	360	ballistic knife, any other knife having a blade of two or more inches, straight-edge razor,302
361	361	razor blade, spring stick, knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or303
362	362	other similar material, blackjack, any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon, or any304
363	363	flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as305
364	364	to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck,306
365	365	nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of whatever configuration, having at307
366	366	least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which308
367	367	may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any weapon of like kind, and any309
368	368	stun gun or taser as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 16-11-106. This paragraph310
369	369	excludes any of these instruments used for classroom work authorized by the teacher."311
370	370	"(20)(A) Any lawful weapons carrier when he or she is in any building or on real312
371	371	property owned by or leased to any public technical school, vocational school, college,313
372	372	or university, or other public institution of postsecondary education; provided, however,314
373	373	that such exception shall:315
374	374	(i) Not apply to buildings or property used for athletic sporting events or student316
375	375	housing, including, but not limited to, fraternity and sorority houses;317
376	376	H. B. 601
377	377	- 13 - 25 LC 56 0294
378	378	(ii) Not apply to any preschool or childcare space located within such buildings or
379	379	318
380	380	real property;319
381	381	(iii) Not apply to any room or space being used for classes related to a college and320
382	382	career academy or other specialized school as provided for under Code Section321
383	383	20-4-37;322
384	384	(iv) Not apply to any room or space being used for classes in which high school323
385	385	students are enrolled through a dual enrollment program, including, but not limited324
386	386	to, classes related to the 'Dual Enrollment Act' as provided for under Code Section325
387	387	20-2-161.3;326
388	388	(v) Not apply to faculty, staff, or administrative offices or rooms where disciplinary327
389	389	proceedings are conducted; and
390	390	328
391	391	(vi) Only apply to the carrying of handguns which a person is licensed to carry329
392	392	pursuant to subsection (e) of Code Section 16-11-126 and pursuant to Code Section330
393	393	16-11-129; and331
394	394	(vi)(vii) Only apply to the carrying of handguns which are concealed.332
395	395	(B) Any lawful weapons carrier who carries a handgun in a manner or in a building,333
396	396	property, room, or space in violation of this paragraph shall be guilty of a misdemeanor;334
397	397	provided, however, that, for a conviction of a first offense, such lawful weapons carrier335
398	398	shall be punished by a fine of $25.00 and not be sentenced to serve any term of336
399	399	confinement.337
400	400	(C) As used in this paragraph, the term:338
401	401	(i) 'Concealed' means carried in such a fashion that does not actively solicit the339
402	402	attention of others and is not prominently, openly, and intentionally displayed except340
403	403	for purposes of defense of self or others. Such term shall include, but not be limited341
404	404	to, carrying on one's person while such handgun is substantially, but not necessarily342
405	405	completely, covered by an article of clothing which is worn by such person, carrying343
406	406	within a bag of a nondescript nature which is being carried about by such person, or344
407	407	H. B. 601
408	408	- 14 - 25 LC 56 0294
409	409	carrying in any other fashion as to not be clearly discernible by the passive
410	410	345
411	411	observation of others.346
412	412	(ii) 'Preschool or childcare space' means any room or continuous collection of rooms347
413	413	or any enclosed outdoor facilities which are separated from other spaces by an348
414	414	electronic mechanism or human-staffed point of controlled access and designated for349
415	415	the provision of preschool or childcare services, including, but not limited to,350
416	416	preschool or childcare services licensed or regulated under Article 1 of Chapter 1A351
417	417	of Title 20."352
418	418	SECTION 8.353
419	419	Said article is further amended in said part in Code Section 16-11-129, relating to weapons354
420	420	carry license, gun safety information, temporary renewal permit, mandamus, and verification355
421	421	of license, by revising subsection (a) and subparagraph (b)(2)(H) as follows:356
422	422	"(a) Application for weapons carry license or renewal license; term.357
423	423	(1) The judge of the probate court of each county shall, on application under oath, on358
424	424	payment of a fee of $30.00
425	425	$20.00, and on investigation of the applicant pursuant to359
426	426	subsections (b) and (d) of this Code section, issue a weapons carry license or renewal360
427	427	license valid for a period of five years one year to any person whose domicile is in that361
428	428	county or who is on active duty with the United States armed forces and who is not a362
429	429	domiciliary of this state but who either resides in that county or on a military reservation363
430	430	located in whole or in part in that county at the time of such application. Such license or364
431	431	renewal license shall authorize that person to carry any weapon in any county of this state365
432	432	notwithstanding any change in that person's county of residence or state of domicile.366
433	433	(2)(A) As used in this paragraph subsection, the term 'service member' means an active367
434	434	duty member of the regular or reserve component of the United States Army, United368
435	435	States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, United States Air369
436	436	H. B. 601
437	437	- 15 - 25 LC 56 0294
438	438	Force, United States Space Force, United States National Guard, Georgia Army
439	439	370
440	440	National Guard, or Georgia Air National Guard.371
441	441	(B) Any service member whose weapons carry license or renewal license expired while
442	442	372
443	443	such service member was serving on active duty outside this state shall be authorized373
444	444	to carry any weapon in accordance with such expired license for a period of six months374
445	445	from the date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location375
446	446	within this state. When carrying a weapon pursuant to Code Section 16-11-137, the376
447	447	service member shall also have in his or her immediate possession a copy of the official377
448	448	military orders or a written verification signed by such service member's commanding378
449	449	officer which shall evidence that such service member is authorized to carry any379
450	450	weapon in accordance with such expired license for a period of six months from the380
451	451	date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location within this381
452	452	state.382
453	453	(3)(A)(B) Applicants shall submit the application for a weapons carry license or383
454	454	renewal license to the judge of the probate court on forms prescribed and furnished free384
455	455	of charge to persons wishing to apply for the license or renewal license.385
456	456	(C)(B)(i) An application shall be considered to be for a renewal license if the386
457	457	applicant has a weapons carry license or renewal license with 90 or fewer days387
458	458	remaining before the expiration of such weapons carry license or renewal license or388
459	459	30 or fewer days since the expiration of such weapons carry license or renewal license389
460	460	regardless of the county of issuance of the applicant's expired or expiring weapons390
461	461	carry license or renewal license.391
462	462	(ii) An application of any service member whose weapons carry license or renewal392
463	463	license expired while such service member was serving on active duty outside this393
464	464	state shall be considered to be for a renewal license if such service member applies394
465	465	within six months from the date of his or her discharge from active duty or395
466	466	reassignment to a location within this state as provided for in a copy of such service396
467	467	H. B. 601
468	468	- 16 - 25 LC 56 0294
469	469	member's official military orders or a written verification signed by such service
470	470	397
471	471	member's commanding officer as provided by the service member.398
472	472	(iii) An applicant who is not a United States citizen shall provide sufficient personal399
473	473	identifying data, including without limitation,
474	474	his or her place of birth and United400
475	475	States issued alien or admission number, as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation may401
476	476	prescribe by rule or regulation. An applicant who is in nonimmigrant status shall402
477	477	provide proof of his or her qualifications for an exception to the federal firearm403
478	478	prohibition pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 922(y). Forms shall be designed to elicit404
479	479	information from the applicant pertinent to his or her eligibility under this Code405
480	480	section, including citizenship, but shall not require data which is nonpertinent or406
481	481	irrelevant, such as serial numbers or other identification capable of being used as a de407
482	482	facto registration of firearms owned by the applicant. The Department of Public408
483	483	Safety shall furnish application forms and license forms required by this Code section. 409
484	484	The forms shall be furnished to each judge of each probate court within this state at410
485	485	no cost."411
486	486	"(H) Any person who has been convicted of any of the following:412
487	487	(i) Carrying a weapon without a weapons carry license in violation of Code413
488	488	Section 16-11-126; or414
489	489	(ii) Carrying carrying a weapon or long gun in an unauthorized location in violation415
490	490	of Code Section 16-11-127 and has not been free of all restraint or supervision in416
491	491	connection therewith and free of any other conviction for at least five years417
492	492	immediately preceding the date of the application;"418
493	493	SECTION 9.419
494	494	Said article is further amended in said part by repealing in its entirety Code Section420
495	495	16-11-130.1, relating to allowing personnel to carry weapons within certain school safety421
496	496	zones and at school functions, and designating said Code section as reserved.422
497	497	H. B. 601
498	498	- 17 - 25 LC 56 0294
499	499	SECTION 10.
500	500	423
501	501	Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-132, relating to424
502	502	possession of handgun by person under the age of 18 years, as follows:425
503	503	"16-11-132.426
504	504	(a) For the purposes of this Code section, a handgun or long gun
505	505	is considered loaded if427
506	506	there is a cartridge in the chamber or cylinder of the handgun.428
507	507	(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part and except as otherwise provided in429
508	508	this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 16 years to430
509	509	possess or have under such person's control a handgun or long gun. A person convicted431
510	510	of a first violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished432
511	511	by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by imprisonment confinement for not more than 12433
512	512	months, or both. A person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection434
513	513	shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by a fine of $5,000.00 or by imprisonment435
514	514	for a period of three years, or both.436
515	515	(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part and except as otherwise provided in437
516	516	this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 years to possess438
517	517	or have under such person's control a handgun or long gun. A person convicted of a first439
518	518	violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a440
519	519	fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by confinement for not more than 12 months, or both. A441
520	520	person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection shall be guilty of442
521	521	a felony and shall be punished by a fine of $5,000.00 or by imprisonment for a period of443
522	522	three years, or both.444
523	523	(c)(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) (e) of this Code section, the445
524	524	provisions of subsection (b) (c) of this Code section shall not apply to:446
525	525	(1) Any person under the age of 18 years who is:447
526	526	(A) Attending a hunter education course or a firearms safety course;448
527	527	H. B. 601
528	528	- 18 - 25 LC 56 0294
529	529	(B) Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established
530	530	449
531	531	range authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction where such range is located;450
532	532	(C) Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm or451
533	533	participating in or practicing for a performance by an organized group under 26 U.S.C.452
534	534	Section 501(c)(3) which uses firearms as a part of such performance;453
535	535	(D) Hunting or fishing pursuant to a valid license if such person has in his or her454
536	536	possession such a valid hunting or fishing license if required; is engaged in legal455
537	537	hunting or fishing; has permission of the owner of the land on which the activities are456
538	538	being conducted; and the handgun or long gun
539	539	, whenever loaded, is carried only in an457
540	540	open and fully exposed manner; or458
541	541	(E) Traveling to or from any activity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of459
542	542	this paragraph if the handgun or long gun in such person's possession is not loaded;460
543	543	(2) Any person under the age of 18 years who is on real property under the control of461
544	544	such person's parent, legal guardian, or grandparent and who has the permission of such462
545	545	person's parent or legal guardian to possess a handgun or long gun; or463
546	546	(3) Any person under the age of 18 years who is at such person's residence and who, with464
547	547	the permission of such person's parent or legal guardian, possesses a handgun or long gun465
548	548	for the purpose of exercising the rights authorized in Code Section 16-3-21 or 16-3-23.466
549	549	(d)(e) Subsection (c) (d) of this Code section shall not apply to any person under the age467
550	550	of 18 years who has been convicted of a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as468
551	551	defined in Code Section 16-1-3, or who has been adjudicated for committing a delinquent469
552	552	act under the provisions of Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 for an offense which would470
553	553	constitute a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as defined in Code Section 16-1-3,471
554	554	if such person were an adult."472
555	555	H. B. 601
556	556	- 19 - 25 LC 56 0294
557	557	SECTION 11.
558	558	473
559	559	Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-137, relating to474
560	560	detention for investigation of license to carry prohibited, as follows:475
561	561	"16-11-137.476
562	562	(a) Each weapons carry license holder shall have his or her valid weapons carry license in
563	563	477
564	564	his or her immediate possession at all times when carrying a weapon, or if such person is478
565	565	exempt from having a weapons carry license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-130 or479
566	566	subsection (c) of Code Section 16-11-127.1, he or she shall have proof of his or her480
567	567	exemption in his or her immediate possession at all times when carrying a weapon, and his481
568	568	or her failure to do so shall be prima-facie evidence of a violation of the applicable482
569	569	provision of Code Sections 16-11-126 through 16-11-127.2.483
570	570	(b) A person carrying a weapon shall not be subject to detention for the sole purpose of484
571	571	investigating whether such person has a weapons carry license, whether such person is485
572	572	exempt from having a weapons carry license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-130 or486
573	573	subsection (c) of Code Section 16-11-127.1, or whether such person is a lawful weapons487
574	574	carrier as defined in Code Section 16-11-125.1.488
575	575	(c) A person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be fined not more than489
576	576	$10.00 if he or she produces in court his or her weapons carry license, provided that such490
577	577	license was valid at the time of his or her arrest, or produces proof of his or her exemption."491
578	578	SECTION 12.492
579	579	Said article is further amended in said part by adding new Code sections to read as follows:493
580	580	"16-11-139.494
581	581	(a) There is established the Georgia Firearms Registry, to be maintained by the Secretary495
582	582	of State. The Georgia Firearms Registry shall collect for each entry:496
583	583	(1) The name of the owner or owners of the firearm;497
584	584	H. B. 601
585	585	- 20 - 25 LC 56 0294
586	586	(2) The name of the individual or entity from which the firearm was purchased or498
587	587	received;499
588	588	(3) The identification number of the firearm; and500
589	589	(4) The date of purchase or transfer.501
590	590	(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any firearm purchased502
591	591	through private sale, purchased through a retailer, gifted, inherited, or otherwise acquired503
592	592	by a resident of this state after July 1, 2025, shall be registered by the purchaser or504
593	593	recipient with the Georgia Firearms Registry within 30 days of such purchase or receipt.505
594	594	(2) Any firearm purchased through private sale, purchased through a retailer, gifted,506
595	595	inherited, or otherwise acquired by a resident of this state outside of this state after July 1,507
596	596	2025, shall be registered by the purchaser or recipient with the Georgia Firearms Registry508
597	597	within 30 days of such person's return to the state.509
598	598	(c) A person convicted of a first violation of subsection (b) of this Code section shall be510
599	599	guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by511
600	600	confinement for not more than 12 months, or both. A person convicted of a second or512
601	601	subsequent violation of subsection (b) of this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and513
602	602	shall be punished by a fine of $5,000.00 or by imprisonment for a period of three years, or514
603	603	both.515
604	604	16-11-140.516
605	605	(a) A person shall not store a firearm in a motor vehicle unless the firearm is:517
606	606	(1) Unloaded and in a case expressly made to contain such firearm, and the case fully518
607	607	encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened, and519
608	608	without any portion of the firearm exposed; or520
609	609	(2) Unloaded and in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.521
610	610	H. B. 601
611	611	- 21 - 25 LC 56 0294
612	612	(b) Subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to the following persons when522
613	613	acting in the performance of their official duties or when en route to or from their official523
614	614	duties:524
615	615	(1) A peace officer as defined by Code Section 35-8-2;525
616	616	(2) A law enforcement officer of the United States government;526
617	617	(3) A prosecuting attorney of this state or of the United States;527
618	618	(4) An employee of the Department of Corrections or a correctional facility operated by528
619	619	a political subdivision of this state or the United States who is authorized to carry a529
620	620	firearm by the head of such department or correctional agency or facility;530
621	621	(5) An employee of the Department of Community Supervision who is authorized by the531
622	622	commissioner of community supervision to carry a firearm;532
623	623	(6) A person employed as a campus police officer or school security officer who is533
624	624	authorized to carry a weapon in accordance with Chapter 8 of Title 20; or534
625	625	(7) Medical examiners, coroners, and their investigators who are employed by the state535
626	626	or any political subdivision thereof.536
627	627	(c) When the licensed owner of a firearm is not on the premises where such firearm is537
628	628	stored or when such owner knows, or should reasonably know, that a child is likely to gain538
629	629	access to such firearm unless reasonable action is taken to secure the firearm against access539
630	630	by the child, any such firearm shall be secured or stored by using one of the following540
631	631	methods appropriate to each firearm:541
632	632	(1) Secure the firearm with a hardened steel rod or cable at least one-eighth of an inch542
633	633	in diameter through the trigger guard of such firearm. The steel rod or cable shall be543
634	634	secured with a hardened steel lock that has a shackle. The lock and shackle shall be544
635	635	protected or shielded from the use of a bolt cutter, and the rod or cable shall be anchored545
636	636	in a manner that prevents the removal of such firearm from the premises; or546
637	637	(2) Store the firearm in a locked fireproof safe or vault.547
638	638	H. B. 601
639	639	- 22 - 25 LC 56 0294
640	640	(d) When a firearm is required to be stored pursuant to this Code section, no ammunition548
641	641	for such firearm shall be stored in the same lock box, safe, or other container."549
642	642	SECTION 13.550
643	643	Said article is further amended in Part 5, relating to Brady Law regulations, by revising Code551
644	644	Section 16-11-171, relating to definitions, as follows:552
645	645	"16-11-171.553
646	646	As used in this part, the term:554
647	647	(1) 'Center' means the Georgia Crime Information Center within the Georgia Bureau of555
648	648	Investigation.556
649	649	(2) 'Dealer' means any person licensed as a dealer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 921, et557
650	650	seq.558
651	651	(3) 'Firearm' means any weapon that is designed to or may readily be converted to expel559
652	652	a projectile by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of any such weapon,560
653	653	any firearm muffler or firearm silencer, or any destructive device as defined in 18 U.S.C.561
654	654	Section 921(a)(3).562
655	655	(4) 'Gun show' means any event, function, or marketplace at which 25 or more firearms563
656	656	are offered or exhibited for sale, transfer, or exchange.564
657	657	(5) 'Gun show vendor' means any person that offers for sale, exhibits, sells, transfers, or565
658	658	exchanges one or more firearms at a gun show.566
659	659	(6) 'Involuntarily hospitalized' means hospitalized as an inpatient in any mental health567
660	660	facility pursuant to Code Section 37-3-81 or hospitalized as an inpatient in any mental568
661	661	health facility as a result of being adjudicated mentally incompetent to stand trial or being569
662	662	adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the crime pursuant to Part 2 of570
663	663	Article 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 17.571
664	664	(5)(7) 'NICS' means the National Instant Criminal Background Check System created572
665	665	by the federal 'Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act' (P. L. No. 103-159)."573
666	666	H. B. 601
667	667	- 23 - 25 LC 56 0294
668	668	SECTION 14.
669	669	574
670	670	Said article is further amended in said part by revising subsection (a) of Code Section575
671	671	16-11-172, relating to transfers or purchases of firearms subject to the NICS, information576
672	672	concerning persons who have been involuntarily hospitalized to be forwarded to the FBI,577
673	673	penalties for breach of confidentiality, and exceptions, as follows:578
674	674	"(a) All transfers or purchases of firearms conducted by a licensed importer, licensed579
675	675	manufacturer, gun show vendor,
676	676	or licensed dealer shall be subject to the NICS. To the580
677	677	extent possible, the center shall provide to the NICS all necessary criminal history581
678	678	information and wanted person records in order to complete an NICS check. A gun show582
679	679	vendor may contract with a licensed dealer for purposes of facilitating transfers, purchases,583
680	680	or NICS checks."584
681	681	SECTION 15.585
682	682	Said article is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:586
683	683	"16-11-172.1.587
684	684	(a) No purchase or transfer of a firearm shall be conducted by a licensed importer, licensed588
685	685	manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor to any individual under 21 years of age.589
686	686	(b) All purchases or transfers of firearms to individuals under 27 years of age and590
687	687	conducted by a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show591
688	688	vendor shall not be completed until the fifth day after the initiation of such purchase or592
689	689	transfer; provided, however, that the calculation of the five days shall not include593
690	690	Saturdays, Sundays, or state or federal holidays; and provided, further, that the NICS check594
691	691	provided for under Code Section 16-11-172 may be conducted within the five days.595
692	692	(c) Licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and gun show vendors596
693	693	shall, during normal business hours, make records available for inspection by any law597
694	694	enforcement agency for purposes of any criminal investigation.598
695	695	H. B. 601
696	696	- 24 - 25 LC 56 0294
697	697	(d) Any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor that599
698	698	violates this Code section, or any purchaser or transferee who uses fraud or false600
699	699	representation to circumvent the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section, shall601
700	700	be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less602
701	701	than one nor more than five years."603
702	702	SECTION 16.604
703	703	Said article is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:605
704	704	"16-11-174.606
705	705	(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'assault weapon' means:607
706	706	(1) A semiautomatic rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches;608
707	707	(2) A conversion kit, part, or combination of parts, from which an assault weapon can609
708	708	be assembled or from which a firearm can be converted into an assault weapon if such610
709	709	parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person;611
710	710	(3) A semiautomatic, center fire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable612
711	711	magazine and has one or more of the following:613
712	712	(A) A grip that is independent or detached from the stock that protrudes conspicuously614
713	713	beneath the action of the weapon. The addition of a fin attaching the grip to the stock615
714	714	does not exempt the grip if it otherwise resembles the grip found on a pistol;616
715	715	(B) Thumbhole stock;617
716	716	(C) Folding or telescoping stock;618
717	717	(D) Forward pistol, vertical, angled, or other grip designed for use by the nonfiring619
718	718	hand to improve control;620
719	719	(E) Flash suppressor, flash guard, flash eliminator, flash hider, sound suppressor,621
720	720	silencer, or any item designed to reduce the visual or audio signature of the firearm;622
721	721	(F) Muzzle brake, recoil compensator, or any item designed to be affixed to the barrel623
722	722	to reduce recoil or muzzle rise;624
723	723	H. B. 601
724	724	- 25 - 25 LC 56 0294
725	725	(G) Threaded barrel designed to attach a flash suppressor, sound suppressor, muzzle625
726	726	break, or similar item;626
727	727	(H) Grenade launcher or flare launcher; or627
728	728	(I) A shroud that encircles either all or part of the barrel designed to shield the bearer's628
729	729	hand from heat, except a solid forearm of a stock that covers only the bottom of the629
730	730	barrel;630
731	731	(4) A semiautomatic, center fire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to631
732	732	accept more than ten rounds;632
733	733	(5) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and has633
734	734	one or more of the following:634
735	735	(A) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or635
736	736	silencer;636
737	737	(B) A second hand grip;637
738	738	(C) A shroud that encircles either all or part of the barrel designed to shield the bearer's638
739	739	hand from heat, except a solid forearm of a stock that covers only the bottom of the639
740	740	barrel; or640
741	741	(D) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol641
742	742	grip; or642
743	743	(6) A semiautomatic shotgun that has any of the following:643
744	744	(A) A folding or telescoping stock;644
745	745	(B) A grip that is independent or detached from the stock that protrudes conspicuously645
746	746	beneath the action of the weapon. The addition of a fin attaching the grip to the stock646
747	747	does not exempt the grip if it otherwise resembles the grip found on a pistol;647
748	748	(C) A thumbhole stock;648
749	749	(D) A forward pistol, vertical, angled, or other grip designed for use by the nonfiring649
750	750	hand to improve control;650
751	751	(E) A fixed magazine in excess of seven rounds; or651
752	752	H. B. 601
753	753	- 26 - 25 LC 56 0294
754	754	(F) A revolving cylinder shotgun.652
755	755	(b) No purchase or transfer of any assault weapon shall be conducted by a licensed653
756	756	importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor in this state for the654
757	757	period beginning July 1, 2025, through January 1, 2036.655
758	758	(c) Any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor that656
759	759	violates this Code section, or any purchaser or transferee who uses fraud or false657
760	760	representation to circumvent the requirements of subsection (b) of this Code section, shall658
761	761	be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less659
762	762	than one nor more than five years."660
763	763	SECTION 17.661
764	764	Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the employment662
765	765	and training of peace officers, is amended by revising Code Section 35-8-8, relating to the663
766	766	requirements for appointment or certification of persons as peace officers and664
767	767	preemployment attendance at a basic training course, and "employment related information"665
768	768	defined, as follows:666
769	769	"35-8-8.667
770	770	(a) Any person employed or certified as a peace officer shall:668
771	771	(1) Be at least 18 years of age;669
772	772	(2) Be a citizen of the United States;670
773	773	(3) Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;671
774	774	(4) Not have been convicted by any state or by the federal government of any crime the672
775	775	punishment for which could have been imprisonment in the federal or state prison or673
776	776	institution nor have been convicted of sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of674
777	777	disregard for the law, provided that, for the purposes of this paragraph, violations of675
778	778	traffic laws and other offenses involving the operation of motor vehicles when the676
779	779	applicant has received a pardon shall not be considered;677
780	780	H. B. 601
781	781	- 27 - 25 LC 56 0294
782	782	(5) Be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint based search at the
783	783	678
784	784	Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine the679
785	785	existence of any criminal record;680
786	786	(6) Possess good moral character as determined by investigation under procedure681
787	787	established by the council and fully cooperate during the course of such investigation;682
788	788	(7) Be found, after examination by a licensed physician or surgeon, to be free from any683
789	789	physical, emotional, or mental conditions which might adversely affect his or her exercise684
790	790	of the powers or duties of a peace officer; and685
791	791	(8) Successfully complete a job related academy entrance examination provided for and686
792	792	administered by the council in conformity with state and federal law. Such examination687
793	793	shall be administered prior to entrance to the basic course provided for in Code Sections688
794	794	35-8-9 and 35-8-11. The council may change or modify such examination and shall689
795	795	establish the criteria for determining satisfactory performance on such examination. The690
796	796	provisions of this paragraph establish only the minimum requirements of academy691
797	797	entrance examinations for peace officer candidates in this state; each law enforcement692
798	798	unit is encouraged to provide such additional requirements and any preemployment693
799	799	examination as it deems necessary and appropriate. Any person with a degree from a694
800	800	postsecondary institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the695
801	801	United States Department of Education shall be deemed to have met the requirements of696
802	802	this paragraph.697
803	803	(b) Any person authorized to attend the basic training course prior to employment as a698
804	804	peace officer shall meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section.699
805	805	(c)(1) For purposes of
806	806	As used in this subsection, the term 'employment related700
807	807	information' means written information contained in a prior employer's records or701
808	808	personnel files that relates to an applicant's, candidate's, or peace officer's performance702
809	809	or behavior while employed by such prior employer, including performance evaluations,703
810	810	records of disciplinary actions, and eligibility for rehire. Such term shall not include704
811	811	H. B. 601
812	812	- 28 - 25 LC 56 0294
813	813	information prohibited from disclosure by federal law or any document not in the
814	814	705
815	815	possession of the employer at the time a request for such information is received.706
816	816	(2) Where an investigation is conducted for the purpose of hiring, certifying, or707
817	817	continuing the certification of a peace officer, an employer shall disclose employment708
818	818	related information to the investigating law enforcement agency upon receiving a written709
819	819	request from such agency. Disclosure shall only be required under this subsection if the710
820	820	law enforcement agency's request is accompanied by a copy of a signed, notarized711
821	821	statement from the applicant, candidate, or peace officer releasing and holding harmless712
822	822	such employer from any and all liability for disclosing complete and accurate information713
823	823	to the law enforcement agency.714
824	824	(3) An employer may charge a reasonable fee to cover actual costs incurred in copying715
825	825	and furnishing documents to a requesting law enforcement agency, including retrieving716
826	826	and redacting costs, provided that
827	827	such amount shall not exceed $25.00 or 25¢ per page,717
828	828	whichever is greater. No employer shall be required to prepare or create any document718
829	829	not already in the employer's possession at the time a request for employment related719
830	830	information is received. Any employment related information provided pursuant to this720
831	831	subsection that is not subject to public disclosure while in the possession of a prior721
832	832	employer shall continue to be privileged and protected from public disclosure as a record722
833	833	of the requesting law enforcement agency.723
834	834	(4) No employer or law enforcement agency shall be subject to any civil liability for any724
835	835	cause of action by virtue of disclosing complete and accurate information to a law725
836	836	enforcement agency in good faith and without malice pursuant to this subsection. In any726
837	837	such cause of action, malice or bad faith shall only be demonstrated by clear and727
838	838	convincing evidence. Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed so as to728
839	839	affect or limit rights or remedies provided by federal law.729
840	840	(5) Before taking final action on an application for employment based, in whole or in730
841	841	part, on any unfavorable employment related information received from a previous731
842	842	H. B. 601
843	843	- 29 - 25 LC 56 0294
844	844	employer, a law enforcement agency shall inform the applicant, candidate, or peace
845	845	732
846	846	officer that it has received such employment related information and that the applicant,733
847	847	candidate, or peace officer may inspect and respond in writing to such information. Upon734
848	848	the applicant's, candidate's, or peace officer's request, the law enforcement agency shall735
849	849	allow him or her to inspect the employment related information and to submit a written736
850	850	response to such information. The request for inspection shall be made within five737
851	851	business days from the date that the applicant, candidate, or peace officer is notified of738
852	852	the law enforcement agency's receipt of such employment related information. The739
853	853	inspection shall occur not later than ten business days after said notification. Any740
854	854	response to the employment related information shall be made by the applicant,741
855	855	candidate, or peace officer not later than three business days after his or her inspection.742
856	856	(6) No person shall be certified, or allowed to continue in his or her certification, or hired
857	857	743
858	858	as a peace officer if an investigation undertaken pursuant to this subsection determines744
859	859	that such individual has ever been terminated from a position as a peace officer based on745
860	860	misconduct related to such position.746
861	861	(7) Nothing contained in this Code section shall be construed so as to require any person747
862	862	to provide self-incriminating information or otherwise to compel any person to act in748
863	863	violation of his or her right guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the United States749
864	864	Constitution and Article I, Section I, Paragraph XVI of the Georgia Constitution. It shall750
865	865	not be a violation of this Code section for a person to fail to provide requested751
866	866	information based on a claim that such information is self-incriminating, provided that752
867	867	notice of such claim is served in lieu of the requested information. An action against753
868	868	such person to require disclosure on the grounds that the claim of self-incrimination is not754
869	869	substantiated may be brought in the superior court of the county of such party's residence755
870	870	or where such information is located."756
871	871	H. B. 601
872	872	- 30 - 25 LC 56 0294
873	873	SECTION 18.
874	874	757
875	875	Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to 758
876	876	organization and administration relative to emergency management, is amended in Code759
877	877	Section 38-3-37, relating to prohibited actions by government official or employee during760
878	878	declared state of emergency, by inserting "or" at the end of paragraph (2), replacing "; or"761
879	879	at the end of paragraph (3) with a period, and by repealing paragraph (4) of subsection (b).762
880	880	SECTION 19.763
881	881	All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. 764
882	882	H. B. 601
883	883	- 31 -