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Current Bills

HB 615 – A bill to repeal the public gathering laws


  • Introduced 03/03/09

  • Sponsored by (1) Bearden, Timothy 68th, (2) Horne, Billy 71st, (3) Austin, Rick 10th, (4) Powell, Alan 29th, (5) Jerguson, Sean 22nd, (6) Franklin, Bobby 43rd, and 34 others

  • Current location: House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil

  • Current status: 01/07/10 House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee hearing, assigned to House judiciary subcommittee for further discussion.

Upcoming events related to HB 615:


  • No current action scheduled

HB 615 Summary:


  • GFL would become CWP and allow for knives and other concealable weapons

  • Eliminate the public gathering law with short list of off limits places. It allows for license holder to carry in every location in the state except where stated in this code section, although private property rights would still prevail. The list presently consists of the portions buildings that house prisons, courthouses, and jails.

  • Allow openly carrying of a pistol and revolver without a license

  • Provides for a Lifetime License

  • Eliminate the governor’s power to confiscate weapons during declared emergencies

  • GFL would become CWP and allow for knives and other concealable weapons

  • Eliminate misdemeanor marijuana conviction as life time disqualifier for CWP

Summary – How it will help us:

  • HB615 is a bill that will remove almost all restrictions for carrying weapons in the state of Georgia, including lifetime misdemeanor disqualifiers for licensing.

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly supports this legislation.

 


SB308 – The Common Sense Lawful Carry Act

  • Introduced by Mitch Seabaugh, R-28th

  • Sponsored by (1) Seabaugh, Mitch 28th (2) Rogers, Chip 21st, (3) Smith, Preston 52nd, (4) Unterman,Renee 45th, (5) Mullis,Jeff 53nd, (6) Wiles,John 37th, and others

  • Current Location: Senate Rules Committee

  • Current Status: 03/08/10 Passed Senate Special Judiciary Committee 8 – 1 Referred to Senate Rules Committee.

Upcoming events related to SB308:


  • No current action scheduled

SB308 – Summary:


  • Eliminates Georgia’s Jim Crow public gathering law and replaces it with a shorter and clearer list of places off limits

  • Expands the categories of people ineligible for a license

  • Decriminalizes the concealed carry of a knife with a license

  • Places the issuance of licensing to the Secretary of State

  • Modifies the current presumption that a person with a concealed firearm is a criminal to a presumption of innocence.

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly supports this legislation, but is urging some modifications to the bill.

 


HB819 – Bill to add GFL holders to OCGA 16-11-130


  • Sponsored by (1) Horne,Billy 71st, (2) Bearden,Timothy 68th, (3) Austin,Rick 10th, (4) Everson,Melvin 106th,

  • Current Location: House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil

  • Current Status: 03/30/09 – House Second Readers

Upcoming events related to HB819:


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:


  • Any person in possession of a valid GFL issued pursuant to Code Section 16-11-129 is added to Code Section 16-11-130, becoming exempt from the public gathering laws in the same manner as law enforcement officers, judges, military, etc.

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly supports this legislation.

 

SB 9 – Repeal holster requirement for concealed weapons


  • Sponsored by (1) Douglas,John 17th, (2) Rogers,Chip 21st, (3) Goggans,Greg 7th, (4) Murphy,Jack 27th, (5) Hawkins,Lee 49th, (6) Chance,Ronnie 16th, and others

  • Current Location: Senate Committee on Judiciary JUDY

  • Current Status: 01/12/09 – Senate Read and Referred

Upcoming events related to SB9:

  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Will repeal the requirement for a concealed pistol or revolver to be carried in a holster.

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly supports this legislation.

 


SB12 – Bans uncoded handgun ammunition


Upcoming events related to SB12:


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:


  • Would prohibit the manufacture, sale, and possession in Georgia of handgun ammunition that does not contain a unique code. This also applies to reloaded cartridges.

  • Provide for the creation of an ammunition coding system data base to be established by the Department of Public Safety

  • Require the registration of manufacturers and vendors

  • Require the obtaining and maintenance of database of purchased ammunition

  • Possessing uncoded ammunition is a misdemeanor.

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:


  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly opposes this legislation.

 


SB281 – Allows GFL holders to carry firearms on church premises/functions


  • Sponsored by (1) Mullis,Jeff 53rd, (2) Rogers,Chip 21st, (3) Seabaugh,Mitch 28th,

  • Current Location: Senate Committee on Rules RULES

  • Current Status: 03/25/09 – Senate Read and Referred

Upcoming events related to SB281 :


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:


  • Allows GFL holders to carry firearms on church property/premises

  • Keeps private property rights in place by allowing churches to decide who can or can’t carry on their property.

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly supports this legislation.

 


SB291 – Firearms; laws concerning carrying of concealed weapons; revise comprehensively


  • Sponsored by: (1) Shafer,David 48th, (2) Douglas,John 17th, (3) Sims,Freddie 12th, (4) Rogers,Chip 21st, (5) Powell,J. 23rd, (6) Tolleson,Ross 20th, and others

  • Current Location: 04/03/09 Passed Senate Committee on Public Safety PUB SAF

  • Current Status: 02/17/10 – Senate Read Second Time

Upcoming events related to SB291 :


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Would do away with the holster requirement for concealed carry of handguns

  • Allows for carry of concealed weapons with GFL

  • Would allow open carry without a license

  • Would allow car carry when dropping off or picking up a passenger at the airport.

  • Require probate court to notify you 90 days prior to your license expiration

  • Prohibit governor from controlling or confiscating firearms in a declared emergency

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org supports this legislation.

 


HB873 – Freedom of Choice and Security Act


Upcoming events related to HB873 :

  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Bill would repeal most gun laws in Georgia

  • Does not directly address state preemption law

  • Does not repeal all gun laws, which results in unintended consequences

  • Many laws that HB89 repealed would no longer be repealed, resulting in fewer places to carry and restoring many penalties for carrying in certain places, i.e., state parks, WMA’s, too close to bus stops, polling places,.

  • If passed, citizens would not be allowed to carry in the state capitol, nor would law officers, as OGCA 16-11-130 would be repealed and would law officers would have no exemption

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org cannot supports this legislation in its current form.

 



HB286 – Licenses; handgun safety course



Upcoming events related to HB286 :

  • No current action scheduled

Summary:


  • Provides for picture on license

  • State mandated training – basic handgun safety course, consisting of

    • At least 8 hours of instruction

    • Information on statutory & case laws on handguns and use of deadly force

    • Handgun use and safety

    • Proper storage practice for handguns with an emphasis on storage practices that reduces the possibility of accidental injury to a child

    • Actual firing of the handgun in the presence of the instructor


  • All criteria to be determined by Department of Public Safety

  • All instructors to be approved by Department of Public Safety

  • Reasonable fees to be charged applicants

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly opposes this legislation.

 



HB182 – Firearms; discharge; counties or municipalities; preemtion


  • Sponsored by (1) Austin,Rick 10th, (2) Scott,Martin 2nd, (3) Jerguson,Sean 22nd, (4) Williams,Mark 178th, (5) Horne,Billy 71st, (6) Roberts,Jay 154th,

  • Current Location: House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil

  • Current Status: 01/29/09 – House Second Readers

Upcoming events related to HB182 :


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:


  • Changes the state preemption code

  • Prevent counties or municipalities from limiting or prohibiting the discharge of firearms on tracts of property of five or more acres located within such municipality or county

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly supports this legislation.

 

HB669 – Prohibit engaging in outdoor shooting sports while under the influence


  • Sponsored by (1) Butler,Mark 18th, (2) Roberts,Jay 154th, (3) Rice,Tom 51st, (4) Martin,Charles 47th,

  • Current Location: House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil

  • Current Status: 03/09/09 – House Second Readers

Upcoming events related to HB669 :

  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Bill prohibits many outdoor sporting venues while under the influence and sets the limit the same as DUI limits. Lowers BAC from .10 to .08

  • Bill is applicable to hunting sports for GeorgiaCarry.Org purposes

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly supports this legislation.

 



SB71 – Prohibit engaging in outdoor shooting sports while under the influence



Upcoming events related to SB71:

  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Bill prohibits many outdoor sporting venues while under the influence and sets the limit the same as DUI limits. Lowers BAC from .10 to .08

  • Bill is applicable to hunting sports for GeorgiaCarry.Org purposes

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly supports this legislation.

 


HB835 – License; training for certain persons; license shall include photograph


Upcoming events related to HB835:


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Requires anyone under 19 shall demonstrate completion of firearms safety training course within 3 years of application for license.

  • Applicant must:

    • Submit proof they are police officer, or

    • Submit proof they are serving on active duty with the US Armed Forces, or

    • Submit proof they are serving on in the active reserve component of the US Armed Forces or Georgia National Guard, or

    • Submit proof of they are a firearms safety instruction certified by the NRA holding a rating as a personal protection instructor or pistol marksmanship instructor, or

    • Submit proof of having received basic firearms instruction provided by a law enforcement officer, a nationally recognized organization that promotes gun safety, or a licensed firearms dealer.


GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly opposes this legislation.

 



HB155 – Lifetime Georgia Firearms License


  • Sponsored by (1) Mills,James 25th, (2) Maxwell,Howard 17th, (3) Talton,Willie 145th,

  • Current Location: House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil

  • Current Status: 01/28/09 – House Second Readers

Upcoming events related to HB155:


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Allow for issuance of a lifetime GFL for a $40 fee

  • Lifetime license, after it is 7 years old, will not be acceptable as a background check when buying a gun.

  • Bill will also allow for 5 year renewable license as currently exists for those who want to use it as a background check.

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org supports this legislation.

 



HB767 – Sales and use tax; firearms, ammunition, or both; provide exemption


  • Sponsored by (1) Scott,Austin 153rd, (2) Everson,Melvin 106th, (3) Ehrhart,Earl 36th, (4) Jerguson,Sean 22nd, (5) Bearden,Timothy 68th, (6) O`Neal,Larry 146th

  • Current Location: House Committee on Ways & Means (W&M)

  • Current Status: 03/20/09 – House Second Readers

  • Current Version: LC 18 8326/a

Upcoming events related to HB767:

  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Bill will exempt the sale or use of firearms, ammunition, or both

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly supports this legislation.

 



HB707 – Sales and use tax exemption on ammunition and ammunition components


  • Sponsored by (1) Bearden,Timothy 68th, (2) Weldon,Tom 3rd, (3) Horne,Billy 71st, (4) Austin,Rick 10th, (5) Harden,Michael 28th, (6) Anderson,Lee 117th

  • Current Location: House Committee on Ways & Means (W&M)

  • Current Status: 03/10/09 – House Second Readers

Upcoming events related to HB707:


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Provides exemption from sales and use taxes for the sale of ammunition and ammunition components used in pistols, rifles, and shotguns for two years

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org supports this legislation.

 



HB260 – Licenses; pistol or revolver; include photograph and current address


Upcoming events related to HB260:


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Provide for a license to include a picture, along with fingerprint

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org supports this legislation.

 



HB573 – Carrying weapons with deliberate and intention aforethought into school safety zones


Upcoming events related to HB573:


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Any person who deliberately and with intention aforethought violates this subsection shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000.00, by imprisonment for not less than two nor more than ten years, or both.

  • There would be no punishment for doing so accidentally

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org supports this legislation.

 


HB259 – Firearms; training of licensed persons; provide



Upcoming events related to HB259:

  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Requires anyone under 19 shall demonstrate completion of firearms safety training course within 3 years of application for license.

  • Applicant must:

    • Submit proof they are police officer, or

    • Submit proof they are serving on active duty with the US Armed Forces, or

    • Submit proof they are serving on in the active reserve component of the US Armed Forces or Georgia National Guard, or

    • Submit proof of they are a firearms safety instruction certified by the NRA holding a rating as a personal protection instructor or pistol marksmanship instructor, or

    • Submit proof of having received basic firearms instruction provided by a law enforcement officer, a nationally recognized organization that promotes gun safety, or a licensed firearms dealer.

    • Course shall be at least 4 hours in length


  • An applicant renewing his or her license shall submit a certificate showing successful completion of a two-hour firearm course which shall include the use of deadly weapons and actual firing of a handgun in the presence of an instructor for not less than 30 minutes or until the instructor is satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated basic proficiency in firing a handgun.”

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly opposes this legislation.

 


SB342 – Governor; revise powers to suspend, limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation of firearms during states of emergency


  • Introduced By Preston Smith 52nd

  • Sponsored by (1) Butterworth, Jim 50th, (2) Mullis, Jeff 53rd (3)Shafer, David 48th (4)Pearson, Chip 51st (5) Tolleson, Ross 20th and Others

  • Current Location: Passed Senate Committee on Judiciary on 02/19/10

  • Current Status: 03/09/10 – Senate Read Second Time

Upcoming events related to SB342:

  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • Prohibits the governor from prohibiting the sales, distribution or transportation of firearms during declared emergency.

  • Act shall not become effective until January 1, 2011

  • Replaces present law that allows transportation for legally owned firearms during declared emergencies. This puts an additional burden on the law abiding citizen to prove he / she legally owns the firearm.

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org strongly supports this legislation.

 


HB1238 – Georgia Firearms Freedom Act


  • Introduced By Jerguson,Sean 22nd

  • Sponsored (1) Hill,Calvin 21st, (2) Austin,Rick 10th, (3) Allison,Stephen 8th, (4) Horne,Billy 71st, (5) Davis,Steve 109th,

  • Current Location: 03/08/10 – House Second Readers

  • Current Status: 03/08/10 – House Second Readers

Upcoming events related to HB1238:


  • No current action scheduled

Summary:

  • States that a personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in Georgia and that remains within the borders of Georgia shall not be subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.

  • States a firearm manufactured or sold in Georgia under this part shall have the words ‘Made in Georgia’ clearly stamped on a central metallic part, such as the receiver or frame.

  • The provisions of this part shall apply to firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition that are manufactured and retained in Georgia after July 1, 2010.

GeorgiaCarry.Org opinion:

  • GeorgiaCarry.Org supports this legislation.
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