Open Carry In Georgia?

[jimmyj]

Returning from the "Sun Shine State (Florida) back to "God's Country" (Tennessee) I stopped in Cartersville, Georgia for gasoline and a cold drink.
A young man (20s) came in the store wearing a Model 1911 in a OWB holster. Does georgia have "Open Carry"?
Jimmy

 

[JustAnotherGunGuy]

I think it is open Cary with permit from what I am reading. Some one else might know more on it.

 

[redlevel]

Technically, yes, with a Georgia Weapons License. However, there are many places where you will be asked to leave. There is a big debate about whether OC or CC is best. There is a mindset among some that since OC is technically legal, we should more or less force the public to accept it. Some call it "educating the sheeple." I think the only legitimate reason to carry is for protection, not education, and I despise the term "sheeple."

I carry my j-frames concealed except for when I am on the farm or hunting. I figure out of sight, out of mind.

 

[Bicky Robby]

Yes, kind of. GA is not a traditional open carry state, open carry is permitted with a GA permit is my understanding. It is also legal to openly in a vehicle without a permit.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Jimmy ain't it nice to be back in Tennessee. Home sweet home. Don

 

[JCS&W]

redlevel, I know why you hate the word "sheeple". But you are correct and so is Bicky Robby. You can open carry in your auto. If you have a "permit", you can open carry in public. Government building, and the like do not allow it, obviously, and if you open carry in a business they can ask you to leave. I conceal carry.

 

[bitstream]

I see someone once in awhile down here in middle Georgia. Usually strike up a conversation about guns. I carry concealed myself; I prefer to not advertise.

 

[oldman45]

Yes, kind of. GA is not a traditional open carry state, open carry is permitted with a GA permit is my understanding. It is also legal to openly in a vehicle without a permit.

My question and none of my GA relatives can answer it.

Can you carry a gun in a car glove box, console, under the seat or otherwise out of sight without a permit?

 

[MSgt G]

Jimmy, you came right by the exit where I live just before you hit the Tennessee state line! I'm in Ringgold, GA. You may have seen the tornado damage as you came through. (I'm assuming you took I-75N)

To answer your question, yes, you can carry open or concealed in GA with a license/permit accepted here. If you have a TN or FL one you're good to go (you can open carry in TN too) ! I carry both ways, open and concealed, depending on how I feel each day. I've never had a problem with anyone. Most people never even notice if I carry open; the few who do probably assume I'm LE and never even mention it.

As far as store owners asking you to leave, they can ask anyone to leave if they want to, carrying or not. Again, I've never had a problem and don't expect too.

Let me know if you're ever this way again and maybe we can do lunch!

 

[cjw3]

My question and none of my GA relatives can answer it.

Can you carry a gun in a car glove box, console, under the seat or otherwise out of sight without a permit?

Yes. There was an old prohibition about carrying one under the seat, but that is no longer in effect.

There is also no requirement to notify an officer that you have a gun if you are stopped, although that might not necessarily be a bad idea in some circumstances.

 

[m1gunner]

My question and none of my GA relatives can answer it.

Can you carry a gun in a car glove box, console, under the seat or otherwise out of sight without a permit?

All legal now, just recently changed.

Before only license holders could carry "otherwise out of sight", but non licensed folks could carry in glove box or center console.

 

[sheriffoconee]

Ok, ......
Yes open carry is legal in Georgia. So is concealed carry. You must have a valid license to do either or both outside of your home, car or place of business.
Inside of your home, car or place of business, there are no rules....unless of course you are a convicted felon or otherwise prohibited from carrying....
With a license, you can not carry in schools, churches, courthouses, jails, prisons, nuclear power plants and MOST government buildings. You can carry in State owned parks or county owned parks. Local governments can not pass any local laws prohibiting firearms carry.
Signs prohibiting firearms carry no legal weight in and of themselves...however, the management can REQUIRE you to either leave, or disarm, or both, and if you don't a LEO can arrest you for criminal trespass once you have been asked to do so.

 

[JCS&W]

Well said sheriff! Thanks.

 

[jimmyj]

Jimmy ain't it nice to be back in Tennessee. Home sweet home. Don

Hi, Don:
Yes its GREAT to be back home. The only reason I leave is for my yearly firing range qualification.
Still need to fight a Tennessee girl and love a bear to receive my Tennessee Citizenship but I am trying.
Jimmy

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'm fairly familiar with the laws just like sheriffoconee said, but I do have one slight variation on the question perhaps he can give insight on...

Does the law specify that it applies to handguns only?
For instance, I have my "Georgia Firearms License" and choose to carry a legal tax-stamped AOW or SBS as I would a handgun (not that I have one the correct size right now) am I still legal, or is it not specified one way or the other? I know there are prohibitions on carrying loaded long guns in vehicles. Any idea or insight? I've meant to ask sheriff Clinton when I see him, but never crosses my mind at the time.

For the guys that live in Tennessee, does it specify handgun up there? Just curious.

 

[NKJ nut]

I'm fairly familiar with the laws just like sheriffoconee said, but I do have one slight variation on the question perhaps he can give insight on...

Does the law specify that it applies to handguns only?
For instance, I have my "Georgia Firearms License" and choose to carry a legal tax-stamped AOW or SBS as I would a handgun (not that I have one the correct size right now) am I still legal, or is it not specified one way or the other? I know there are prohibitions on carrying loaded long guns in vehicles. Any idea or insight? I've meant to ask sheriff Clinton when I see him, but never crosses my mind at the time.

For the guys that live in Tennessee, does it specify handgun up there? Just curious.

Until recently our Tn. carry permit was just for carrying a handgun. But now if you have the permit you can carry a long gun in your vehicle as long as there is not a round in the chamber. An SBS is a long gun, but i have no idea what the state would say about an AOW. If their definition of long gun is the same as the feds, it would not be considered a long gun. FWIW, for the purpose of NFA 1934 there are many different things that are considered AOW's including pen guns, and cane guns and not just stubby little "shotguns" that carry a $5 stamp because they never, ever had a shoulder stock. One type of AOW I am aware of is actually a long gun. A combination gun that has a rifle and shotgun bbl of less length than that specified for Title I firearms.

 

[oldman45]

Ok, ......
With a license, you can not carry in schools, churches, courthouses, jails, prisons, nuclear power plants and MOST government buildings. You can carry in State owned parks or county owned parks. Local governments can not pass any local laws prohibiting firearms carry.

No matter what, a person cannot carry in a State or Government building in Louisiana and I feel that is wrong. A person may be in a government building without knowing it.

As to parks, LA does not allow carry in parks, parades or Federal land. A person can carry openly at a parade but not concealed.

I hope the law changes for the better soon.

 

[sheriffoconee]

I'm fairly familiar with the laws just like sheriffoconee said, but I do have one slight variation on the question perhaps he can give insight on...

Does the law specify that it applies to handguns only?
For instance, I have my "Georgia Firearms License" and choose to carry a legal tax-stamped AOW or SBS as I would a handgun (not that I have one the correct size right now) am I still legal, or is it not specified one way or the other? I know there are prohibitions on carrying loaded long guns in vehicles. Any idea or insight? I've meant to ask sheriff Clinton when I see him, but never crosses my mind at the time.

For the guys that live in Tennessee, does it specify handgun up there? Just curious.

Georgia law does not contemplate Class III firearms one way or the other in the carry legislation....Yes, you can carry whatever you want....

 

[Shorty4T]

I'm fairly familiar with the laws just like sheriffoconee said, but I do have one slight variation on the question perhaps he can give insight on...

Does the law specify that it applies to handguns only?
For instance, I have my "Georgia Firearms License" and choose to carry a legal tax-stamped AOW or SBS as I would a handgun (not that I have one the correct size right now) am I still legal, or is it not specified one way or the other? I know there are prohibitions on carrying loaded long guns in vehicles. Any idea or insight? I've meant to ask sheriff Clinton when I see him, but never crosses my mind at the time.

For the guys that live in Tennessee, does it specify handgun up there? Just curious.

AG; you may have a "Georgia Firearm License" but that is now considered a "Georgia Weapon License" (GWL). These are just minor changes in terminology but it does include long guns as SO indicated along with knifes. Knifes of a certain length were prohibited under the ol' "public gathering" law.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[ladder13]

If I were canoein' down the Cahulawassee River to Aintree, I'd defintely be OC'ing.