What to Know About Weapons Charges in Georgia

You can find guns anywhere in Georgia. As a matter of fact, more than 63,000 guns were sold to Georgia residents in April 2024 alone, and many of these guns were bought by first-time owners who were looking for self-defense tools.

But these first-time owners need to be very careful. Georgia has a number of weapons charges, some of which are fairly obscure. If you own or plan on buying a firearm, you need to know your local firearms laws.

What weapons can you not own in the state of Georgia? What licenses do you need, and where can you carry your guns? What can a weapons charges defense attorney do for you?

Answer these questions and you can defend yourself without running into legal problems. Click here for your quick guide.

Forbidden Weapons

Georgia law bans residents from owning several kinds of weapons. For instance, It is illegal to own a sawed-off shotgun or rifle.

It does not matter if the owner saws the barrel off themselves or if they can reattach the barrel. A person can own a sawed-off gun as long as they have modified it so they cannot fire it.

Also, gun owners cannot equip their weapon with a silencer. The sound of the gun firing cannot be silenced or diminished in any way.

No one can own any gun that fires more than six shots after you pull the trigger once. This prohibition includes machine guns and most automatic weapons.

Georgia also restricts a number of weapons that they call “dangerous weapons.” These include rocket launchers, bazookas, and hand grenades. Any military weapon used for anti-personnel purposes is off-limits to the public.

It is also a felony offense to own a forbidden weapon. A judge may sentence a convicted person for up to five years in prison.

Carrying a Weapon Without a License

All gun owners must have a carry license in order to possess a handgun or long knife. This includes people who do not conceal their weapons. Residents can get their licenses after they purchase a weapon.

Georgia respects the licenses of other states, but only for non-residents. A resident of the state of Georgia must get a carry license from Georgia.

An unlicensed individual may carry a weapon inside their home, motor vehicle, and place of business. They can also carry an unloaded handgun and long gun.

A first-time offense can result in a misdemeanor conviction. Subsequent offenses carry felony weight, and a person may go to jail for two to five years.

Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit

Georgia allows residents to apply for a concealed weapon permit. It is otherwise illegal to carry a weapon without it being in full view of others. It does not matter if the person has a carry license or not.

A first-time concealed weapon charge carries misdemeanor weight, though a person can go to jail for one year. Subsequent offenses are felonies that can send someone to jail for up to five years.

Carrying Weapons in Prohibited Locations

It is illegal to carry any weapon on school property, including stun guns and clubs. A student may carry a weapon on a college campus, but only in designated areas. They should carry a Taser instead of a handgun.

No one except for law enforcement personnel can carry weapons in courthouses, jails, and government buildings. It is also a crime to carry a gun into a house of worship, polling place, or nuclear power facility.

Most violations have misdemeanor weight. Carrying a weapon at a school is a felony that can lead to a ten-year prison sentence.

Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

All individuals convicted of a felony in Georgia are forbidden from carrying a firearm. It does not matter what the nature of the felony was. Georgia also forbids anyone on probation from receiving, holding, or transporting a firearm.

Individuals who have received pardons for their felonies can hold guns. Individuals convicted of antitrust violations or unfair trade practices can apply to the Board of Public Safety. If they prove that their possession poses no threat to public welfare, they may be allowed to own a gun.

A person faces up to five years in prison. If they were convicted of a forcible felony like assault, they can receive a minimum sentence of five years.

Pointing a Firearm at Someone

Pointing a gun at another person is an offense in and of itself. The gun can be loaded or unloaded. It is a threat to safety because a person cannot tell if the gun has ammunition in it or not.

A person can point a gun at someone else in self-defense. A jury can acquit them if the pointing was an unintentional act. Such a defense requires a weapons charges attorney in order to launch.

Pointing a gun is a misdemeanor charge that can send someone to prison for one year. If someone sustains an injury during the incident, the person who pointed the gun may get charged with assault.

The Essentials of Georgia Weapons Charges

Georgia weapons charges apply to a number of activities. Residents cannot own sawed-off shotguns, machine guns, and bazookas.

They must have a carry license from the state government. If they want to practice concealed carry, they must have a separate permit.

No one can carry licenses near government buildings and school grounds. No felon can hold a firearm unless they have a pardon. No one can point a gun at someone, even if it is unarmed.

Go to an attorney for any weapons charges you face. Jarrett Maillet serves the Savannah area. Get a free case evaluation today.