How to get a GA Weapons Carry License
April 2022 Update: The State of Georgia no longer requires residents to obtain a Georgia Weapons Carry License (GWCL) to carry a firearm. Although it’s no longer required to carry, I do recommend GA residents get their GWCL if they plan to travel to different states with their firearm.
Applies to Georgia, USA residents only
So you’ve decided you want to carry your firearm. This is a major step in your firearm practitioner’s journey and it’s important that you know the carry laws and have the proper permits. The official title is called a “Georgia Weapons Carry License”, however for simplicity’s sake I’ll refer to the license as a “permit” for the rest of this blog. First, you need to know if or why you need a permit.
You do not need a permit to purchase a firearm, however it does make the process a bit more simple. See “PURCHASING A FIREARM” chapter below
You do not need a permit to have your firearm in your house, vehicle or place of employment. This falls under the Georgia “Castle Doctrine”. You can only have your firearm at your place of employment IF it is an authorized carry location. Unauthorized carry locations include federal property like post offices, military installations and courthouses. Permit or not, you can’t have your firearm on federal property (exception; some federal employees)
You do not need a permit to carry your firearm anywhere other than your house, vehicle or place of employment (as of April 2022)
A GA carry permit allows you to carry both open and concealed. “Open carry” means the public can visibly see your firearm outside of your clothing. “Concealed carry” means your firearm is not visible to the public, hidden under a layer of clothing, or in a concealed carry bag or purse. It’s up to you to decide which carry method is best for you however I HIGHLY recommend that you conceal carry
APPLYING FOR A GEORGIA WEAPONS CARRY LICENSE
The specific process to obtain a GA carry permit varies by county. You do not need to take a class in order to apply for a permit however it is highly recommended. The information below is general. Scroll to the bottom of this blog to see direct links to the 12 Atlanta Metropolitan county information websites. If your county is not listed, Google your county + “Georgia Weapons Carry License” to find your county application process.
In order to apply for a new GA Weapons Carry License, you must:
1. Have a valid GA driver’s license with your current address and current legal name. P.O. boxes will not be accepted
2. Apply in the county listed on your driver’s license
3. Appear at your local county probate court in person to be photographed, fingerprinted and submit payment. Some counties allow walk-ins, others require an appointment. You may be directed to a secondary location to be fingerprinted
4. Pay a permit application fee and fingerprint fee. The total fees are typically less than $100
5. Be over 21 years old
6. Be able to pass a federal background check
Once you submit your application, fingerprints and payment, your information will be sent off for a background check. If your background is clean, your permit will either be mailed to you or you’ll be contacted to pick up your permit in person (depends on county). The turnaround time varies between 2-7 weeks (also depends on the county).
PURCHASING A FIREARM
Information below applies to purchases made at authorized firearms dealers (known as FFL’s) like gun stores. The following does not apply to direct private gun sales.
Purchasing a Firearm With a permit the process looks like this: You go to the gun store, pick out your firearm, complete an ATF Form 4473, have your carry permit photocopied, pay and leave. With a permit, a background check is not required for every firearm purchase because you’ve already had your background check run to obtain a permit. If you’re convicted of crimes which make you ineligible to purchase a firearm AFTER you’ve obtained your permit then your permit is typically confiscated by law enforcement.
Purchasing a Firearm Without a permit the process looks like this: You go to the gun store, pick out your firearm, complete an ATF Form 4473, wait for the store employee to contact NICS via phone or online, wait for NICS to run your background check, have your driver’s license photocopied, pay and leave.
When the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) runs your background check there is a possibility to get a “DELAYED” response which means NICS needs to do additional research in order to complete your background check. This delay typically takes 2-3 days and the gun store will contact you with a final disposition. You could also get a “DENIED” response which means the gun store is unable to sell you the firearm. Click here to read more about NICS background checks and what to do if you get a “DELAY” or “DENIED” response. Hopefully you receive a “PROCEED” response which means your background check is clear and you can purchase and leave with the firearm that day.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
It is important that you know how to safely operate, store, conceal and maintenance your firearm. Again, a firearms class is not currently required in order to obtain a Georgia Weapons Carry License but it is highly recommended. Click here to see all of our available classes in the Atlanta area. Gun laws vary by state so remember this information only applies to Georgia, USA residents. Click here to see gun laws in other states. Also note that gun laws change frequently and it is your responsibility to stay abreast of the laws. “Ignorance is not a defense in the court of law”.
GEORGIA WEAPONS CARRY LICENSE BY COUNTY
If you enjoyed this blog, share a like or a comment below. Feel free to contact me at marchelle@mskdefense.com if you have questions or if any of the links are broken.