I'm considering relocating to Georgia south of Savanna near the Florida state line. I'm currently living in Arizona; one of the most gun-friendly states in the U.S. For you GA residents how would you rate your state for gun friendliness? Alternatively I would be close enough to reside in FL and commute to work in GA. I could look up the guns laws on the Internet. What I am really seeking is opinions regarding local attitudes and politics about gun ownership and the availiabilty of opportunities (ie ranges, gun shows, gun shops, etc) for gun owners. Appreciate your thoughts, thanks!

Florida is the "Gunshine" State, very lenient gun laws, rules. No open carry but I care less about that,
I believe GA is the same

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Still Running Against the Wind

Both states rank very high with Georgia maybe slightly ahead of Florida as GA1911 said. Georgia Weapons Licenses are issued by the county Clerk of the Court if you have a Georgia DL. If you don't, Georgia doesn't offer an out of state license but Florida does and that would be valid in Georgia. Or if you currently have an Arizona permit, that is also honored in Georgia.

CW

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μολὼν λαβέ

GA has what I believe is called a preemption clause, meaning that a local jurisdiction may not make laws more restrictive than state law. That said, some jurisdictions have had reputations for not being so gun friendly in the past. Glynn County, in SE Ga, and Gwinnett County, in the ATL area had that rep. I don't know about now. Generally, GA LEOs have been, in my experience, pretty gun friendly. I believe GA also has what amounts to a "Katrina" law, meaning that citizens can't be disarmed during an emergency situation. You need to research the GA law. If you will recall, many people just had a tizzy over the "guns everywhere" law.

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Georgia On My Mind

I have found FL to be very friendly.
I can walk into any gun shop and walk out with any gun I wish, with my CCP. All I do is renew every six years and I'm gold.
There are various gun shows all over the state, but from what I hear, there are not many good buys.
I browse the local gun forums for buying and selling. All you need is ID and demand a bill of sale.

FL laws on concealed carry are lenient, maybe just a bit too lenient.. just show a DD214 and you can get your CCW. I think both states are very gun-friendly.

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Old paratrooper in NC

As Rule3 said, biggest difference is Ga has open carry, FL is one of few states with open carry prohibition (with a few exceptions).

So, unless open carry is a big deal to you, you're good in either.

Another difference is that Florida issues a concealed WEAPONS permit which covers everything from a revolver to a switchblade and brass knuckles.. Georgia I believe only issues a concealed " Gun Permit"

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

FL is free of state income taxes - I'd base my choice on that first

Georgia's license is "Georgia Weapons Carry License."

Good info at Georgia Carry.
Georgia Carry : An information clearinghouse for Georgia Firearms License issues and news * Weapons Related Georgia Code

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Georgia On My Mind

Its not the gun laws you have too worry about, its the HUMIDITY

This is something to consider for sure, however, if you Live in Florida and work in Ga, you are still liable for Georgia income tax.
The upside of living in Ga is tremendous,
Some of the best hunting and fishing in the state is located near where you will be working.
Fresh water fishing,saltwater fishing, inshore, near shore and offshore are accessible practically any where you go in the area.
The friendliest people on earth live in Georgia.
If you need big shopping centers, excellent medical care or other big city features, Jacksonville, Fl. is a short drive away (30 minutes or less), not to say that local medical care isn't up to par, it is, but Jax has a Mayo Clinic and two trauma centers.
Property taxes are more reasonable in Ga, Real Estate prices too.
BTW, your Ga income tax is an allowable deduction on you federal tax return.
I could go on, but this will give you a snapshot of Georgia life, and, if you can't tell, I was born and raised, and live in Southeast Ga.
If you want more, please feel free to PM me.
olcop

I believe we have some fishing and hunting going on here also

Of course everyone is mean and rotten because the came from up North somewhere!

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Still Running Against the Wind

2013 State Scorecard | Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
State gun laws fill enormous gaps that exist in our nation’s federal laws, and help to reduce gun violence and keep citizens safe. In part because these laws help to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and aid law enforcement in solving gun crimes, many of the states with the strongest gun laws also have the lowest gun death rates.

Both FL and GA are graded "F"

Both FL and GA are graded "F" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP