25 LC 56 0294
House Bill 601
By: Representatives Jackson of the 68
th
, Au of the 50
th
, Mitchell of the 88
th
, Draper of the
90
th
, and Sanchez of the 42
nd
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16, Chapter 8 of Title 35, and Article 2 of Chapter
1
3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dangerous2
instrumentalities and practices, the employment and training of peace officers, and3
organization and administration relative to emergency management, respectively, so as to4
broadly increase the regulation surrounding gun sales and ownership; to provide for the5
offense of selling or furnishing handguns or long guns to minors; to prohibit parents or legal6
guardians from permitting the possession of handguns or long guns by a minor in certain7
circumstances; to provide for exceptions; to provide for the offense of the possession of a8
large capacity magazine or a firearm produced by means of 3D printing; to provide for9
circumstances under which individuals who are not licensed to carry a weapon may transport10
such weapon; to provide a time frame for new residents of the state to obtain a weapons carry11
license; to provide for school safety zones to extend 500 yards from school premises; to12
require weapons carry licenses to be renewed each year; to reduce the fee for weapons carry13
licenses; to provide for certain conditions to obtain or renew a weapons carry license,14
including for active service members; to prohibit anyone under the age of 16 years from15
possessing or controlling a handgun or long gun; to provide for anyone under the age of 1816
years from possessing or controlling a handgun or long gun without parental or guardian17
supervision or in certain circumstances; to require individuals who are carrying a weapon to18
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have a weapons carry license on their person; to provide for the establishment of the Georgia
19
Firearms Registry; to require the registration of all firearms sales and transfers in this state20
after a certain date; to require certain information to be entered into the Georgia Firearms21
Registry; to provide for requirements for safe storage of a firearm in a vehicle; to provide for22
requirements for safe storage of firearms when the owner is not present on the premises; to23
provide for exceptions; to provide for safe storage of firearms when access by a child is24
reasonably likely; to require ammunition be stored separately from firearms; to subject all25
transfers or purchases of firearms at gun shows to the National Instant Criminal Background26
Check System; to provide for facilitation by licensed dealers; to prohibit sales of firearms to27
individuals under the age of 21; to require a five-day waiting period to complete transactions28
for firearms to individuals under the age of 27; to prohibit the sale or transfer by certain29
dealers of assault weapons in this state until a certain date; to prohibit the certification or30
hiring of any individual as a peace officer who has been terminated for misconduct related31
to any previous employment as a peace officer; to provide for exceptions; to provide for32
violations, penalties, and fines; to provide for definitions; to provide for conforming changes;33
to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for34
other purposes.35
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:36
SECTION 1.37
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Gun Safe Act of 2025."38
SECTION 2.39
Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to40
dangerous instrumentalities and practices, is amended in Part 1, relating to general41
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provisions, by revising Code Section 16-11-101.1, relating to furnishing pistol or revolver
42
to person under the age of 18 years, as follows:43
"16-11-101.1.44
(a) For the purposes of
As used in this Code section, the term:45
(1) 'Handgun' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 16-11-125.1.46
(2) 'Long gun' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 16-11-125.1.47
(3) 'Minor' means any person under the age of 18 years.48
(2) 'Pistol or revolver' means a handgun as defined in Code Section 16-11-125.1.49
(b) It shall be unlawful for a person to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly to sell or50
furnish a pistol or revolver handgun or long gun to a minor, except that it shall be lawful51
for a parent or legal guardian to permit possession of a pistol or revolver handgun or long52
gun by a minor for the purposes specified in subsection (c) (d) of Code Section 16-11-13253
unless otherwise expressly limited by subsection (c) of this Code section.54
(c)(1) It shall be unlawful for a parent or legal guardian to permit possession of a pistol55
or revolver handgun or long gun by a minor if the parent or legal guardian knows of a56
minor's conduct which violates the provisions of Code Section 16-11-132 and fails to57
make reasonable efforts to prevent any such violation of Code Section 16-11-132.58
(2) Notwithstanding any provisions of subsection (c) (d) of Code Section 16-11-132 or59
any other law to the contrary, it shall be unlawful for any parent or legal guardian to60
intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly to furnish to or permit a minor to possess a pistol61
or revolver handgun or long gun if such parent or legal guardian is aware of a substantial62
risk that such minor will use a pistol or revolver to commit a felony offense or if such63
parent or legal guardian who is aware of such substantial risk fails to make reasonable64
efforts to prevent commission of the offense by the minor.65
(3) In addition to any other act which violates this subsection, a parent or legal guardian66
shall be deemed to have violated this subsection if such parent or legal guardian furnishes67
to or permits possession of a pistol or revolver handgun or long gun by any minor who68
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has been convicted of a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as defined in Code
69
Section 16-1-3, or who has been adjudicated for committing a delinquent act under the70
provisions of Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 for an offense which would constitute71
a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as defined in Code Section 16-1-3, if such72
minor were an adult.73
(d) Upon conviction of a violation of subsection (b) or (c) of this Code section, a person74
shall be guilty of a felony and punished by a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 or by75
imprisonment for not less than three nor more than five years, or both."76
SECTION 3.77
Said article is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:78
"16-11-114.
79
(a) As used in this Code section, the term '3D printed firearm' means any weapon produced80
by means of three-dimensional printing from computer-aided design files which is designed81
or intended to propel a missile of any kind and which is not produced subject to a license82
from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of the United States83
Department of Justice for the manufacture of firearms.84
(b) It shall be unlawful to print or to produce a 3D printed firearm in this state.85
(c) Any person that violates this Code section shall commit the offense of possessing a 3D86
printed firearm and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for a87
period of five years."88
SECTION 4.89
Said article is further amended by revising Part 2, relating to possession of dangerous90
weapons, as follows:91
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"Part 2
92
16-11-120.93
This part shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Firearms and Weapons Act.'94
16-11-121.95
As used in this part, the term:96
(1) '3D printed firearm' means any weapon produced by means of three-dimensional
97
printing from computer-aided design files which is designed or intended to propel a98
missile of any kind and which is not produced subject to a license from the Bureau of99
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of the United States Department of Justice100
for the manufacture of firearms.101
(2) 'Dangerous weapon' means any weapon commonly known as a 'rocket launcher,'102
'bazooka,' or 'recoilless rifle' rocket launcher, bazooka, or recoilless rifle which fires103
explosive or nonexplosive rockets designed to injure or kill personnel or destroy heavy104
armor, or similar weapon used for such purpose. The Such term shall also mean a105
weapon commonly known as a 'mortar' mortar which fires high explosive from a metallic106
cylinder and which is commonly used by the armed forces as an antipersonnel weapon107
or similar weapon used for such purpose. The Such term shall also mean a weapon108
commonly known as a 'hand grenade' hand grenade or other similar weapon which is109
designed to explode and injure personnel or similar weapon used for such purpose.110
(3) 'Large capacity magazine' means any ammunition feeding device with the capacity111
to accept more than sixteen rounds of ammunition; provided, however, that such term112
shall not include:113
(A) A feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate114
more than ten rounds; or115
(B) A tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.116
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(2)(4) 'Machine gun' means any weapon which shoots or is designed to shoot,117
automatically, more than six shots, without manual reloading, by a single function of the118
trigger.119
(3)(5) 'Person' means any individual, partnership, company, association, or corporation.120
(4)(6) 'Sawed-off rifle' means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and121
intended to be fired from the shoulder; and designed or redesigned, made or remade, to122
use the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile123
through a rifle bore for each single pull of the trigger; and which has a barrel or barrels124
of less than 16 inches in length or has an overall length of less than 26 inches.125
(5)(7) 'Sawed-off shotgun' means a shotgun or any weapon made from a shotgun whether126
by alteration, modification, or otherwise having one or more barrels less than 18 inches127
in length or if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches.128
(6)(8) 'Shotgun' means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended129
to be fired from the shoulder; and designed or redesigned, and made or remade, to use the130
energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a131
number of ball shot or a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger.132
(7)(9) 'Silencer' means any device for silencing or diminishing the report of any portable133
weapon such as a rifle, carbine, pistol, revolver, machine gun, shotgun, fowling piece, or134
other device from which a shot, bullet, or projectile may be discharged by an explosive.135
16-11-122.136
No person shall have in his or her possession any 3D printed firearm, sawed-off shotgun,137
sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer138
except as provided in Code Section 16-11-124.139
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16-11-123.
140
A person commits the offense of unlawful possession of firearms or weapons when he or141
she knowingly has in his or her possession any 3D printed firearm,
sawed-off shotgun,142
sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer, and,143
upon conviction thereof, he or she shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of five144
years.145
16-11-124.146
This part shall not apply to:147
(1) A peace officer of any duly authorized police agency of this state or of any political148
subdivision thereof, or a law enforcement officer of any department or agency of the149
United States who is regularly employed and paid by the United States, this state, or any150
such political subdivision, or an employee of the Department of Corrections of this state151
who is authorized in writing by the commissioner of corrections to transfer or possess152
such firearms while in the official performance of his or her duties;153
(2) A member of the National Guard or of the armed forces of the United States,154
including to wit: the army, navy, marine corps, air force, space force, or coast guard who,155
while serving therein, possesses such firearm in the line of duty;156
(3) Any 3D printed firearm, sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large157
capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer which has been modified or changed158
to the extent that it is inoperative. Examples of the requisite modification include159
weapons with their barrel or barrels filled with lead, hand grenades filled with sand, or160
other nonexplosive materials;161
(4) Possession of a sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, dangerous weapon,162
or silencer by a person who is authorized to possess the same because he or she has163
registered the 3D printed firearm, sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large164
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capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer in accordance with the dictates of the165
National Firearms Act, 68A Stat. 725 (26 U.S.C. Sections 5841-5862); and166
(5) A security officer employed by a federally licensed nuclear power facility or a167
licensee of such facility, including a contract security officer, who is trained and qualified168
under a security plan approved by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission or169
other federal agency authorized to regulate nuclear facility security; provided, however,170
that this exemption shall apply only while such security officer is acting in connection171
with his or her official duties on the premises of such nuclear power facility or on172
properties outside the facility property pursuant to a written agreement entered into with173
the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the facility. The exemption174
under this paragraph does not include the possession of silencers.175
16-11-125.176
In any complaint, accusation, or indictment and in any action or proceeding brought for the177
enforcement of this part it shall not be necessary to negative any exception, excuse,178
proviso, or exemption contained in this part, and the burden of proof of any such exception,179
excuse, proviso, or exemption shall be upon the defendant."180
SECTION 5.181
Said article is further amended in Part 3, relating to carrying and possession of firearms, by182
revising Code Section 16-11-125.1, relating to definitions, as follows:183
"16-11-125.1.184
As used in this part, the term:185
(1) 'Handgun' means a firearm of any description, loaded or unloaded, from which any186
shot, bullet, or other missile can be discharged by an action of an explosive where the187
length of the barrel, not including any revolving, detachable, or magazine breech, does188
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not exceed 12 inches; provided, however, that the term 'handgun' such term shall not189
include a gun which discharges a single shot of 0.46 centimeter or less in diameter.190
(2) 'Knife' means a cutting instrument designed for the purpose of offense and defense191
consisting of a blade that is greater than 12 inches in length which is fastened to a handle.192
(2.1) 'Lawful weapons carrier' means any person who is licensed or eligible for a license193
pursuant to Code Section 16-11-129 and who is not otherwise prohibited by law from194
possessing a weapon or long gun, any resident of any other state who would otherwise195
be eligible to obtain a license pursuant to such Code section but for the residency196
requirement, and any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state.197
(3) 'License holder' means a person who holds a valid weapons carry license.198
(4) 'Long gun' means a firearm with a barrel length of at least 18 inches and overall199
length of at least 26 inches designed or made and intended to be fired from the shoulder200
and designed or made to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed:201
(A) Shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a single202
projectile for each single pull of the trigger or from which any shot, bullet, or other203
missile can be discharged; or204
(B) Metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a rifle bore for each single205
pull of the trigger;206
provided, however, that the term 'long gun' such term shall not include a gun which207
discharges a single shot of 0.46 centimeter or less in diameter.208
(5) 'Weapon' means a knife or handgun.209
(6) 'Weapons carry license' or 'license' means a license issued pursuant to Code Section210
16-11-129."211
SECTION 6.212
Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-126, relating to213
having or carrying handguns, long guns, or other weapons, exceptions for homes, motor214
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vehicles, private property, and other locations and conditions and unlawful carrying of a
215
weapon, as follows:216
"16-11-126.217
(a) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun may218
have or carry on his or her person a weapon or long gun on his or her property or inside his219
or her home, motor vehicle, or place of business.220
(b) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun may221
have or carry on his or her person a long gun.222
(c) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun may
223
have or carry any handgun, provided that it is enclosed in a case and unloaded.224
(d) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun who225
is eligible for a weapons carry license a lawful weapons carrier may transport a handgun226
or long gun in any private passenger motor vehicle; provided, however, that private227
property owners or persons in legal control of private property through a lease, rental228
agreement, licensing agreement, contract, or any other agreement to control access to such229
private property shall have the right to exclude or eject a person who is in possession of a230
weapon or long gun on their private property in accordance with paragraph (3) of231
subsection (b) of Code Section 16-7-21, except as provided in Code Section 16-11-135.232
(d)(e)(1) Any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state shall be authorized to233
carry a weapon in this state while the licensee is not a resident of this state; provided,234
however, that:235
(A) Such licensee person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state shall carry the236
weapon in compliance with the laws of this state; and237
(B) No other state shall be required to recognize and give effect to a license issued238
pursuant to this part that is held by a person who is younger than 21 years of age.239
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(2)(A) The Attorney General shall create and maintain on the Department of Law's
240
website a list of states whose laws recognize and give effect to a license issued pursuant241
to this part.242
(B) The Attorney General shall enter into an agreement with any state that requires an243
agreement to recognize and give effect to a license issued pursuant to this part.244
(C) Any person who is not a weapons carry license holder in this state and who is
245
licensed to carry a weapon in any other state whose laws recognize and give effect to246
a license issued pursuant to this part shall be authorized to carry a weapon in this state247
for 90 days after he or she becomes a resident of this state; provided, however, that such248
person shall carry the weapon in compliance with the laws of this state, shall as soon249
as practicable submit a weapons carry license application as provided for under Code250
Section 16-11-129, and shall remain licensed in such other state for the duration of time251
that he or she is a resident of this state but not a weapons carry license holder in this252
state.253
(e)(f)(1) Any person with a valid hunting or fishing license on his or her person, or any254
person not required by law to have a hunting or fishing license, who is engaged in legal255
hunting, fishing, or sport shooting when the person has the permission of the owner of256
the land on which the activities are being conducted may have or carry on his or her257
person a weapon or long gun while hunting, fishing, or engaging in sport shooting.258
(2) Any person with a valid hunting or fishing license on his or her person, or any person259
not required by law to have a hunting or fishing license, who is otherwise engaged in260
legal hunting, fishing, or sport shooting on recreational or wildlife management areas261
owned by this state may have or carry on his or her person a knife while engaging in such262
hunting, fishing, or sport shooting.263
(f)(g) Notwithstanding Code Sections 12-3-10, 27-3-1.1, 27-3-6, and 16-12-122 through264
16-12-127, any lawful weapons carrier may carry a weapon in all parks, historic sites, or265
recreational areas, as such term is defined in Code Section 12-3-10, including all publicly266
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owned buildings located in such parks, historic sites, and recreational areas, in wildlife
267
management areas, and on public transportation; provided, however, that a person shall not268
carry a handgun into a place where it is prohibited by federal law.269
(g)
(h)(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (a) through (f) (g) of this Code270
section, no person shall carry a weapon unless he or she is a lawful weapons carrier.271
(2) A person commits the offense of unlawful carrying of a weapon when he or she272
violates the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection.273
(h)(i) Upon conviction of the offense of unlawful carrying of a weapon, a person shall be274
punished as follows:275
(1) For the first offense, he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; and276
(2) For the second offense within five years, as measured from the dates of previous277
arrests for which convictions were obtained to the date of the current arrest for which a278
conviction is obtained, and for any subsequent offense, he or she shall be guilty of a279
felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned for not less than two years and280
not more than five years.281
(i)(j) Nothing in this Code section shall in any way operate or be construed to affect, repeal,282
or limit the exemptions provided for under Code Section 16-11-130."283
SECTION 7.284
Said article is further amended in said part in Code Section 16-11-127.1, relating to carrying285
weapons within school safety zones, at school functions, or on a bus or other transportation286
furnished by a school, by revising subsection (a), by reserving paragraph (6) of subsection287
(c), and by revising paragraph (20) of subsection (c) as follows:288
"(a) As used in this Code section, the term:289
(1) 'Bus or other transportation furnished by a school' means a bus or other transportation290
furnished by a public or private elementary or secondary school.291
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(2) 'School function' means a school function or related activity that occurs outside of a
292
school safety zone and is for a public or private elementary or secondary school.293
(3) 'School safety zone' means in or on
within 500 yards of any real property or building294
owned by or leased to:295
(A) Any public or private elementary school, secondary school, or local board of296
education and used for elementary or secondary education; and297
(B) Any public or private technical school, vocational school, college, university, or298
other institution of postsecondary education.299
(4) 'Weapon' means and includes any pistol, revolver, or any weapon designed or300
intended to propel a missile of any kind, or any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife,301
ballistic knife, any other knife having a blade of two or more inches, straight-edge razor,302
razor blade, spring stick, knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or303
other similar material, blackjack, any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon, or any304
flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as305
to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck,306
nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of whatever configuration, having at307
least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which308
may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any weapon of like kind, and any309
stun gun or taser as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 16-11-106. This paragraph310
excludes any of these instruments used for classroom work authorized by the teacher."311
"(20)(A) Any lawful weapons carrier when he or she is in any building or on real312
property owned by or leased to any public technical school, vocational school, college,313
or university, or other public institution of postsecondary education; provided, however,314
that such exception shall:315
(i) Not apply to buildings or property used for athletic sporting events or student316
housing, including, but not limited to, fraternity and sorority houses;317
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(ii) Not apply to any preschool or childcare space located within such buildings or
318
real property;319
(iii) Not apply to any room or space being used for classes related to a college and320
career academy or other specialized school as provided for under Code Section321
20-4-37;322
(iv) Not apply to any room or space being used for classes in which high school323
students are enrolled through a dual enrollment program, including, but not limited324
to, classes related to the 'Dual Enrollment Act' as provided for under Code Section325
20-2-161.3;326
(v) Not apply to faculty, staff, or administrative offices or rooms where disciplinary327
proceedings are conducted; and
328
(vi) Only apply to the carrying of handguns which a person is licensed to carry329
pursuant to subsection (e) of Code Section 16-11-126 and pursuant to Code Section330
16-11-129; and331
(vi)(vii) Only apply to the carrying of handguns which are concealed.332
(B) Any lawful weapons carrier who carries a handgun in a manner or in a building,333
property, room, or space in violation of this paragraph shall be guilty of a misdemeanor;334
provided, however, that, for a conviction of a first offense, such lawful weapons carrier335
shall be punished by a fine of $25.00 and not be sentenced to serve any term of336
confinement.337
(C) As used in this paragraph, the term:338
(i) 'Concealed' means carried in such a fashion that does not actively solicit the339
attention of others and is not prominently, openly, and intentionally displayed except340
for purposes of defense of self or others. Such term shall include, but not be limited341
to, carrying on one's person while such handgun is substantially, but not necessarily342
completely, covered by an article of clothing which is worn by such person, carrying343
within a bag of a nondescript nature which is being carried about by such person, or344
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carrying in any other fashion as to not be clearly discernible by the passive
345
observation of others.346
(ii) 'Preschool or childcare space' means any room or continuous collection of rooms347
or any enclosed outdoor facilities which are separated from other spaces by an348
electronic mechanism or human-staffed point of controlled access and designated for349
the provision of preschool or childcare services, including, but not limited to,350
preschool or childcare services licensed or regulated under Article 1 of Chapter 1A351
of Title 20."352
SECTION 8.353
Said article is further amended in said part in Code Section 16-11-129, relating to weapons354
carry license, gun safety information, temporary renewal permit, mandamus, and verification355
of license, by revising subsection (a) and subparagraph (b)(2)(H) as follows:356
"(a) Application for weapons carry license or renewal license; term.357
(1) The judge of the probate court of each county shall, on application under oath, on358
payment of a fee of $30.00
$20.00, and on investigation of the applicant pursuant to359
subsections (b) and (d) of this Code section, issue a weapons carry license or renewal360
license valid for a period of five years one year to any person whose domicile is in that361
county or who is on active duty with the United States armed forces and who is not a362
domiciliary of this state but who either resides in that county or on a military reservation363
located in whole or in part in that county at the time of such application. Such license or364
renewal license shall authorize that person to carry any weapon in any county of this state365
notwithstanding any change in that person's county of residence or state of domicile.366
(2)(A) As used in this paragraph subsection, the term 'service member' means an active367
duty member of the regular or reserve component of the United States Army, United368
States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, United States Air369
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Force, United States Space Force, United States National Guard, Georgia Army
370
National Guard, or Georgia Air National Guard.371
(B) Any service member whose weapons carry license or renewal license expired while
372
such service member was serving on active duty outside this state shall be authorized373
to carry any weapon in accordance with such expired license for a period of six months374
from the date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location375
within this state. When carrying a weapon pursuant to Code Section 16-11-137, the376
service member shall also have in his or her immediate possession a copy of the official377
military orders or a written verification signed by such service member's commanding378
officer which shall evidence that such service member is authorized to carry any379
weapon in accordance with such expired license for a period of six months from the380
date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location within this381
state.382
(3)(A)(B) Applicants shall submit the application for a weapons carry license or383
renewal license to the judge of the probate court on forms prescribed and furnished free384
of charge to persons wishing to apply for the license or renewal license.385
(C)(B)(i) An application shall be considered to be for a renewal license if the386
applicant has a weapons carry license or renewal license with 90 or fewer days387
remaining before the expiration of such weapons carry license or renewal license or388
30 or fewer days since the expiration of such weapons carry license or renewal license389
regardless of the county of issuance of the applicant's expired or expiring weapons390
carry license or renewal license.391
(ii) An application of any service member whose weapons carry license or renewal392
license expired while such service member was serving on active duty outside this393
state shall be considered to be for a renewal license if such service member applies394
within six months from the date of his or her discharge from active duty or395
reassignment to a location within this state as provided for in a copy of such service396
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member's official military orders or a written verification signed by such service
397
member's commanding officer as provided by the service member.398
(iii) An applicant who is not a United States citizen shall provide sufficient personal399
identifying data, including without limitation,
his or her place of birth and United400
States issued alien or admission number, as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation may401
prescribe by rule or regulation. An applicant who is in nonimmigrant status shall402
provide proof of his or her qualifications for an exception to the federal firearm403
prohibition pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 922(y). Forms shall be designed to elicit404
information from the applicant pertinent to his or her eligibility under this Code405
section, including citizenship, but shall not require data which is nonpertinent or406
irrelevant, such as serial numbers or other identification capable of being used as a de407
facto registration of firearms owned by the applicant. The Department of Public408
Safety shall furnish application forms and license forms required by this Code section. 409
The forms shall be furnished to each judge of each probate court within this state at410
no cost."411
"(H) Any person who has been convicted of any of the following:412
(i) Carrying a weapon without a weapons carry license in violation of Code413
Section 16-11-126; or414
(ii) Carrying carrying a weapon or long gun in an unauthorized location in violation415
of Code Section 16-11-127 and has not been free of all restraint or supervision in416
connection therewith and free of any other conviction for at least five years417
immediately preceding the date of the application;"418
SECTION 9.419
Said article is further amended in said part by repealing in its entirety Code Section420
16-11-130.1, relating to allowing personnel to carry weapons within certain school safety421
zones and at school functions, and designating said Code section as reserved.422
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SECTION 10.
423
Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-132, relating to424
possession of handgun by person under the age of 18 years, as follows:425
"16-11-132.426
(a) For the purposes of this Code section, a handgun or long gun
is considered loaded if427
there is a cartridge in the chamber or cylinder of the handgun.428
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part and except as otherwise provided in429
this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 16 years to430
possess or have under such person's control a handgun or long gun. A person convicted431
of a first violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished432
by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by imprisonment confinement for not more than 12433
months, or both. A person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection434
shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by a fine of $5,000.00 or by imprisonment435
for a period of three years, or both.436
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part and except as otherwise provided in437
this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 years to possess438
or have under such person's control a handgun or long gun. A person convicted of a first439
violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a440
fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by confinement for not more than 12 months, or both. A441
person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection shall be guilty of442
a felony and shall be punished by a fine of $5,000.00 or by imprisonment for a period of443
three years, or both.444
(c)(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) (e) of this Code section, the445
provisions of subsection (b) (c) of this Code section shall not apply to:446
(1) Any person under the age of 18 years who is:447
(A) Attending a hunter education course or a firearms safety course;448
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(B) Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established
449
range authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction where such range is located;450
(C) Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm or451
participating in or practicing for a performance by an organized group under 26 U.S.C.452
Section 501(c)(3) which uses firearms as a part of such performance;453
(D) Hunting or fishing pursuant to a valid license if such person has in his or her454
possession such a valid hunting or fishing license if required; is engaged in legal455
hunting or fishing; has permission of the owner of the land on which the activities are456
being conducted; and the handgun or long gun
, whenever loaded, is carried only in an457
open and fully exposed manner; or458
(E) Traveling to or from any activity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of459
this paragraph if the handgun or long gun in such person's possession is not loaded;460
(2) Any person under the age of 18 years who is on real property under the control of461
such person's parent, legal guardian, or grandparent and who has the permission of such462
person's parent or legal guardian to possess a handgun or long gun; or463
(3) Any person under the age of 18 years who is at such person's residence and who, with464
the permission of such person's parent or legal guardian, possesses a handgun or long gun465
for the purpose of exercising the rights authorized in Code Section 16-3-21 or 16-3-23.466
(d)(e) Subsection (c) (d) of this Code section shall not apply to any person under the age467
of 18 years who has been convicted of a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as468
defined in Code Section 16-1-3, or who has been adjudicated for committing a delinquent469
act under the provisions of Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 for an offense which would470
constitute a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as defined in Code Section 16-1-3,471
if such person were an adult."472
H. B. 601
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SECTION 11.
473
Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-137, relating to474
detention for investigation of license to carry prohibited, as follows:475
"16-11-137.476
(a) Each weapons carry license holder shall have his or her valid weapons carry license in
477
his or her immediate possession at all times when carrying a weapon, or if such person is478
exempt from having a weapons carry license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-130 or479
subsection (c) of Code Section 16-11-127.1, he or she shall have proof of his or her480
exemption in his or her immediate possession at all times when carrying a weapon, and his481
or her failure to do so shall be prima-facie evidence of a violation of the applicable482
provision of Code Sections 16-11-126 through 16-11-127.2.483
(b) A person carrying a weapon shall not be subject to detention for the sole purpose of484
investigating whether such person has a weapons carry license, whether such person is485
exempt from having a weapons carry license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-130 or486
subsection (c) of Code Section 16-11-127.1, or whether such person is a lawful weapons487
carrier as defined in Code Section 16-11-125.1.488
(c) A person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be fined not more than489
$10.00 if he or she produces in court his or her weapons carry license, provided that such490
license was valid at the time of his or her arrest, or produces proof of his or her exemption."491
SECTION 12.492
Said article is further amended in said part by adding new Code sections to read as follows:493
"16-11-139.494
(a) There is established the Georgia Firearms Registry, to be maintained by the Secretary495
of State. The Georgia Firearms Registry shall collect for each entry:496
(1) The name of the owner or owners of the firearm;497
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(2) The name of the individual or entity from which the firearm was purchased or498
received;499
(3) The identification number of the firearm; and500
(4) The date of purchase or transfer.501
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any firearm purchased502
through private sale, purchased through a retailer, gifted, inherited, or otherwise acquired503
by a resident of this state after July 1, 2025, shall be registered by the purchaser or504
recipient with the Georgia Firearms Registry within 30 days of such purchase or receipt.505
(2) Any firearm purchased through private sale, purchased through a retailer, gifted,506
inherited, or otherwise acquired by a resident of this state outside of this state after July 1,507
2025, shall be registered by the purchaser or recipient with the Georgia Firearms Registry508
within 30 days of such person's return to the state.509
(c) A person convicted of a first violation of subsection (b) of this Code section shall be510
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by511
confinement for not more than 12 months, or both. A person convicted of a second or512
subsequent violation of subsection (b) of this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and513
shall be punished by a fine of $5,000.00 or by imprisonment for a period of three years, or514
both.515
16-11-140.516
(a) A person shall not store a firearm in a motor vehicle unless the firearm is:517
(1) Unloaded and in a case expressly made to contain such firearm, and the case fully518
encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened, and519
without any portion of the firearm exposed; or520
(2) Unloaded and in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.521
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(b) Subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to the following persons when522
acting in the performance of their official duties or when en route to or from their official523
duties:524
(1) A peace officer as defined by Code Section 35-8-2;525
(2) A law enforcement officer of the United States government;526
(3) A prosecuting attorney of this state or of the United States;527
(4) An employee of the Department of Corrections or a correctional facility operated by528
a political subdivision of this state or the United States who is authorized to carry a529
firearm by the head of such department or correctional agency or facility;530
(5) An employee of the Department of Community Supervision who is authorized by the531
commissioner of community supervision to carry a firearm;532
(6) A person employed as a campus police officer or school security officer who is533
authorized to carry a weapon in accordance with Chapter 8 of Title 20; or534
(7) Medical examiners, coroners, and their investigators who are employed by the state535
or any political subdivision thereof.536
(c) When the licensed owner of a firearm is not on the premises where such firearm is537
stored or when such owner knows, or should reasonably know, that a child is likely to gain538
access to such firearm unless reasonable action is taken to secure the firearm against access539
by the child, any such firearm shall be secured or stored by using one of the following540
methods appropriate to each firearm:541
(1) Secure the firearm with a hardened steel rod or cable at least one-eighth of an inch542
in diameter through the trigger guard of such firearm. The steel rod or cable shall be543
secured with a hardened steel lock that has a shackle. The lock and shackle shall be544
protected or shielded from the use of a bolt cutter, and the rod or cable shall be anchored545
in a manner that prevents the removal of such firearm from the premises; or546
(2) Store the firearm in a locked fireproof safe or vault.547
H. B. 601
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(d) When a firearm is required to be stored pursuant to this Code section, no ammunition548
for such firearm shall be stored in the same lock box, safe, or other container."549
SECTION 13.550
Said article is further amended in Part 5, relating to Brady Law regulations, by revising Code551
Section 16-11-171, relating to definitions, as follows:552
"16-11-171.553
As used in this part, the term:554
(1) 'Center' means the Georgia Crime Information Center within the Georgia Bureau of555
Investigation.556
(2) 'Dealer' means any person licensed as a dealer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 921, et557
seq.558
(3) 'Firearm' means any weapon that is designed to or may readily be converted to expel559
a projectile by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of any such weapon,560
any firearm muffler or firearm silencer, or any destructive device as defined in 18 U.S.C.561
Section 921(a)(3).562
(4) 'Gun show' means any event, function, or marketplace at which 25 or more firearms563
are offered or exhibited for sale, transfer, or exchange.564
(5) 'Gun show vendor' means any person that offers for sale, exhibits, sells, transfers, or565
exchanges one or more firearms at a gun show.566
(6) 'Involuntarily hospitalized' means hospitalized as an inpatient in any mental health567
facility pursuant to Code Section 37-3-81 or hospitalized as an inpatient in any mental568
health facility as a result of being adjudicated mentally incompetent to stand trial or being569
adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the crime pursuant to Part 2 of570
Article 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 17.571
(5)(7) 'NICS' means the National Instant Criminal Background Check System created572
by the federal 'Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act' (P. L. No. 103-159)."573
H. B. 601
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SECTION 14.
574
Said article is further amended in said part by revising subsection (a) of Code Section575
16-11-172, relating to transfers or purchases of firearms subject to the NICS, information576
concerning persons who have been involuntarily hospitalized to be forwarded to the FBI,577
penalties for breach of confidentiality, and exceptions, as follows:578
"(a) All transfers or purchases of firearms conducted by a licensed importer, licensed579
manufacturer, gun show vendor,
or licensed dealer shall be subject to the NICS. To the580
extent possible, the center shall provide to the NICS all necessary criminal history581
information and wanted person records in order to complete an NICS check. A gun show582
vendor may contract with a licensed dealer for purposes of facilitating transfers, purchases,583
or NICS checks."584
SECTION 15.585
Said article is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:586
"16-11-172.1.587
(a) No purchase or transfer of a firearm shall be conducted by a licensed importer, licensed588
manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor to any individual under 21 years of age.589
(b) All purchases or transfers of firearms to individuals under 27 years of age and590
conducted by a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show591
vendor shall not be completed until the fifth day after the initiation of such purchase or592
transfer; provided, however, that the calculation of the five days shall not include593
Saturdays, Sundays, or state or federal holidays; and provided, further, that the NICS check594
provided for under Code Section 16-11-172 may be conducted within the five days.595
(c) Licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and gun show vendors596
shall, during normal business hours, make records available for inspection by any law597
enforcement agency for purposes of any criminal investigation.598
H. B. 601
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(d) Any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor that599
violates this Code section, or any purchaser or transferee who uses fraud or false600
representation to circumvent the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section, shall601
be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less602
than one nor more than five years."603
SECTION 16.604
Said article is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:605
"16-11-174.606
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'assault weapon' means:607
(1) A semiautomatic rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches;608
(2) A conversion kit, part, or combination of parts, from which an assault weapon can609
be assembled or from which a firearm can be converted into an assault weapon if such610
parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person;611
(3) A semiautomatic, center fire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable612
magazine and has one or more of the following:613
(A) A grip that is independent or detached from the stock that protrudes conspicuously614
beneath the action of the weapon. The addition of a fin attaching the grip to the stock615
does not exempt the grip if it otherwise resembles the grip found on a pistol;616
(B) Thumbhole stock;617
(C) Folding or telescoping stock;618
(D) Forward pistol, vertical, angled, or other grip designed for use by the nonfiring619
hand to improve control;620
(E) Flash suppressor, flash guard, flash eliminator, flash hider, sound suppressor,621
silencer, or any item designed to reduce the visual or audio signature of the firearm;622
(F) Muzzle brake, recoil compensator, or any item designed to be affixed to the barrel623
to reduce recoil or muzzle rise;624
H. B. 601
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(G) Threaded barrel designed to attach a flash suppressor, sound suppressor, muzzle625
break, or similar item;626
(H) Grenade launcher or flare launcher; or627
(I) A shroud that encircles either all or part of the barrel designed to shield the bearer's628
hand from heat, except a solid forearm of a stock that covers only the bottom of the629
barrel;630
(4) A semiautomatic, center fire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to631
accept more than ten rounds;632
(5) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and has633
one or more of the following:634
(A) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or635
silencer;636
(B) A second hand grip;637
(C) A shroud that encircles either all or part of the barrel designed to shield the bearer's638
hand from heat, except a solid forearm of a stock that covers only the bottom of the639
barrel; or640
(D) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol641
grip; or642
(6) A semiautomatic shotgun that has any of the following:643
(A) A folding or telescoping stock;644
(B) A grip that is independent or detached from the stock that protrudes conspicuously645
beneath the action of the weapon. The addition of a fin attaching the grip to the stock646
does not exempt the grip if it otherwise resembles the grip found on a pistol;647
(C) A thumbhole stock;648
(D) A forward pistol, vertical, angled, or other grip designed for use by the nonfiring649
hand to improve control;650
(E) A fixed magazine in excess of seven rounds; or651
H. B. 601
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(F) A revolving cylinder shotgun.652
(b) No purchase or transfer of any assault weapon shall be conducted by a licensed653
importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor in this state for the654
period beginning July 1, 2025, through January 1, 2036.655
(c) Any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor that656
violates this Code section, or any purchaser or transferee who uses fraud or false657
representation to circumvent the requirements of subsection (b) of this Code section, shall658
be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less659
than one nor more than five years."660
SECTION 17.661
Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the employment662
and training of peace officers, is amended by revising Code Section 35-8-8, relating to the663
requirements for appointment or certification of persons as peace officers and664
preemployment attendance at a basic training course, and "employment related information"665
defined, as follows:666
"35-8-8.667
(a) Any person employed or certified as a peace officer shall:668
(1) Be at least 18 years of age;669
(2) Be a citizen of the United States;670
(3) Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;671
(4) Not have been convicted by any state or by the federal government of any crime the672
punishment for which could have been imprisonment in the federal or state prison or673
institution nor have been convicted of sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of674
disregard for the law, provided that, for the purposes of this paragraph, violations of675
traffic laws and other offenses involving the operation of motor vehicles when the676
applicant has received a pardon shall not be considered;677
H. B. 601
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(5) Be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint based search at the
678
Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine the679
existence of any criminal record;680
(6) Possess good moral character as determined by investigation under procedure681
established by the council and fully cooperate during the course of such investigation;682
(7) Be found, after examination by a licensed physician or surgeon, to be free from any683
physical, emotional, or mental conditions which might adversely affect his or her exercise684
of the powers or duties of a peace officer; and685
(8) Successfully complete a job related academy entrance examination provided for and686
administered by the council in conformity with state and federal law. Such examination687
shall be administered prior to entrance to the basic course provided for in Code Sections688
35-8-9 and 35-8-11. The council may change or modify such examination and shall689
establish the criteria for determining satisfactory performance on such examination. The690
provisions of this paragraph establish only the minimum requirements of academy691
entrance examinations for peace officer candidates in this state; each law enforcement692
unit is encouraged to provide such additional requirements and any preemployment693
examination as it deems necessary and appropriate. Any person with a degree from a694
postsecondary institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the695
United States Department of Education shall be deemed to have met the requirements of696
this paragraph.697
(b) Any person authorized to attend the basic training course prior to employment as a698
peace officer shall meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section.699
(c)(1) For purposes of
As used in this subsection, the term 'employment related700
information' means written information contained in a prior employer's records or701
personnel files that relates to an applicant's, candidate's, or peace officer's performance702
or behavior while employed by such prior employer, including performance evaluations,703
records of disciplinary actions, and eligibility for rehire. Such term shall not include704
H. B. 601
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information prohibited from disclosure by federal law or any document not in the
705
possession of the employer at the time a request for such information is received.706
(2) Where an investigation is conducted for the purpose of hiring, certifying, or707
continuing the certification of a peace officer, an employer shall disclose employment708
related information to the investigating law enforcement agency upon receiving a written709
request from such agency. Disclosure shall only be required under this subsection if the710
law enforcement agency's request is accompanied by a copy of a signed, notarized711
statement from the applicant, candidate, or peace officer releasing and holding harmless712
such employer from any and all liability for disclosing complete and accurate information713
to the law enforcement agency.714
(3) An employer may charge a reasonable fee to cover actual costs incurred in copying715
and furnishing documents to a requesting law enforcement agency, including retrieving716
and redacting costs, provided that
such amount shall not exceed $25.00 or 25¢ per page,717
whichever is greater. No employer shall be required to prepare or create any document718
not already in the employer's possession at the time a request for employment related719
information is received. Any employment related information provided pursuant to this720
subsection that is not subject to public disclosure while in the possession of a prior721
employer shall continue to be privileged and protected from public disclosure as a record722
of the requesting law enforcement agency.723
(4) No employer or law enforcement agency shall be subject to any civil liability for any724
cause of action by virtue of disclosing complete and accurate information to a law725
enforcement agency in good faith and without malice pursuant to this subsection. In any726
such cause of action, malice or bad faith shall only be demonstrated by clear and727
convincing evidence. Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed so as to728
affect or limit rights or remedies provided by federal law.729
(5) Before taking final action on an application for employment based, in whole or in730
part, on any unfavorable employment related information received from a previous731
H. B. 601
- 29 - 25 LC 56 0294
employer, a law enforcement agency shall inform the applicant, candidate, or peace
732
officer that it has received such employment related information and that the applicant,733
candidate, or peace officer may inspect and respond in writing to such information. Upon734
the applicant's, candidate's, or peace officer's request, the law enforcement agency shall735
allow him or her to inspect the employment related information and to submit a written736
response to such information. The request for inspection shall be made within five737
business days from the date that the applicant, candidate, or peace officer is notified of738
the law enforcement agency's receipt of such employment related information. The739
inspection shall occur not later than ten business days after said notification. Any740
response to the employment related information shall be made by the applicant,741
candidate, or peace officer not later than three business days after his or her inspection.742
(6) No person shall be certified, or allowed to continue in his or her certification, or hired
743
as a peace officer if an investigation undertaken pursuant to this subsection determines744
that such individual has ever been terminated from a position as a peace officer based on745
misconduct related to such position.746
(7) Nothing contained in this Code section shall be construed so as to require any person747
to provide self-incriminating information or otherwise to compel any person to act in748
violation of his or her right guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the United States749
Constitution and Article I, Section I, Paragraph XVI of the Georgia Constitution. It shall750
not be a violation of this Code section for a person to fail to provide requested751
information based on a claim that such information is self-incriminating, provided that752
notice of such claim is served in lieu of the requested information. An action against753
such person to require disclosure on the grounds that the claim of self-incrimination is not754
substantiated may be brought in the superior court of the county of such party's residence755
or where such information is located."756
H. B. 601
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SECTION 18.
757
Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to 758
organization and administration relative to emergency management, is amended in Code759
Section 38-3-37, relating to prohibited actions by government official or employee during760
declared state of emergency, by inserting "or" at the end of paragraph (2), replacing "; or"761
at the end of paragraph (3) with a period, and by repealing paragraph (4) of subsection (b).762
SECTION 19.763
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. 764
H. B. 601
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