Sample Georgia Weapons Carry License from www.whitfieldcountyga.com

Georgia’s Governor Nathan Deal signed into law House Bill 60 on April 23, 2014.

That new law, according to the governor’s office, “protects law-abiding, licensed Georgia citizens’ Second Amendment rights.”

Governor Deal says, “This legislation will protect the constitutional rights of Georgians who have gone through a background check to legally obtain a Georgia Weapons Carry License. Roughly 500,000 Georgia citizens have a permit of this kind, which is approximately 5 percent of our population.”  He continued, “Our nation’s founders put the right to bear arms on par with freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Georgians cherish their Second Amendment rights, and this law embodies those values.”

HB 60 takes effect on July 1, 2014 statewide in Georgia.

You may read the entire text of House Bill 60 by Clicking Here.

Those who have been approved for a Georgia Weapons Carry License — a permit to carry a concealed weapon — will have additional places where they may carry a weapon.  The law is long and specific.  We are not a dang lawyer.  Therefore, we are not providing legal advice.  But … some government buildings where guns were not allowed, even with a concealed weapon permit, might now allow them on a select basis.  Some schools and churches may choose to allow permit holders to carry concealed weapons on their property.  State and local parks allow permit holders to carry weapons, in most cases.

WARNING:  To know where you are allowed to carry a concealed weapon in Georgia, consult a lawyer.  Or read HR 60 in its entirety, then call a lawyer anyway.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mobile District Public Affairs Specialist Lance D. Davis sent us a press release that says, “Georgia’s House Bill 60, or the Safe Carry Protection Act of 2014, signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal Wednesday, April 23 and effective July 1, does not affect lakes and lands in Georgia managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”

The USACE press release also says, “Corps managed property is regulated by the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, part 327.  Regulations governing possession of firearms specify that possession of loaded firearms, ammunition or loaded projectile firing devices is prohibited unless in the possession of federal, state or local law enforcement officers, or when being used in compliance with hunting regulations.”

Again, Georgia’s Weapons Carry License does not apply on USACE lands or lakes, including Lake Lanier or Lake Allatoona, among many others.

Here is Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, Part 327.13:

Title 36: Parks, Forests, and Public Property

CHAPTER III: CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

PART 327: RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING PUBLIC USE OF WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ADMINISTERED BY THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS

327.13 – Explosives, firearms, other weapons and fireworks.

(a) The possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, loaded projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, crossbows, or other weapons is prohibited unless:

(1) In the possession of a Federal, state or local law enforcement officer;

(2) Being used for hunting or fishing as permitted under 327.8, with devices being unloaded when transported to, from or between hunting and fishing sites;

(3) Being used at authorized shooting ranges; or

(4) Written permission has been received from the District Commander.

(b) Possession of explosives or explosive devices of any kind, including fireworks or other pyrotechnics, is prohibited unless written permission has been received from the District Commander.

Click Here to Download Georgia House Bill 60: the “Safe Carry Protection Act”