Georgia carry status overview
Georgia is a constitutional carry state. The Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319), signed by Governor Brian Kemp and effective April 12, 2022, allows Georgia residents and visitors 21 years of age or older who are legally eligible to possess a firearm to carry a handgun — concealed or openly — without first obtaining a Weapons Carry License (WCL).
The WCL program was not eliminated — it remains available and is valuable for travel, as many states require a valid carry license for reciprocity. A WCL is also required for open carry in most locations (permitless carry in Georgia applies specifically to concealed carry in most jurisdictions).
| Permitless carry | Yes — effective April 12, 2022 |
| Governing law | O.C.G.A. § 16-11-126 (Georgia Constitutional Carry Act) |
| Minimum age (permitless) | 21 years oldActive military 18+ may obtain WCL — verify with probate court |
| Open carry | Yes — no licence requiredSB 319 lets a “lawful weapons carrier” carry openly or concealed with no WCL (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-125.1(2.1)); location limits under § 16-11-127 still apply |
| Vehicle carry | Allowed without a licenseHandguns may be carried in vehicles by eligible persons without a WCL |
| Permit available | Yes — Georgia Weapons Carry License (WCL), issued by probate court |
Georgia Weapons Carry License (WCL)
The Weapons Carry License (WCL) is issued by the probate court of the county where you reside. Even with permitless carry now in effect, the WCL is important for residents who travel to other states, as reciprocity requires a valid license in most states. The WCL is also required for open carry in most Georgia locations.
| Issuing authority | Probate court of county of residence |
| Minimum age | 21 (18 for active military or honorably discharged veterans) |
| Fee | Approximately $75–$80 (varies by county) |
| Validity | 5 years |
| Processing time | Approximately 30–60 days (varies by county) |
| Training required | No — Georgia does not require a training course for WCL |
| Background check | Yes — GBI and FBI NICS |
| Renewal | Through same probate court before expiration |
How to apply: Visit the probate court in your county of residence. Bring a valid Georgia ID or driver's license, one passport-style photo, and the application fee. The court will conduct a fingerprint-based background check.
Vehicle carry in Georgia
Under Georgia law, any person 21 or older who is legally permitted to possess a firearm may carry a handgun in a motor vehicle without a WCL. The firearm may be loaded. Prior to the 2022 Constitutional Carry Act, vehicle carry required a WCL — this requirement was removed with the passage of SB 319.
The firearm may be accessible and loaded in the vehicle. However, common sense precautions are advisable: keep the firearm secure and not visible in a manner that might alarm others, and be prepared to inform law enforcement of its presence if asked during a traffic stop.
Open carry in Georgia
Open carry in Georgia does not require a license. This is commonly reported the other way around, including by sources that were accurate before 2022. SB 319 created the “lawful weapons carrier” category in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-125.1(2.1), and a lawful weapons carrier may carry a handgun openly or concealed with no license at all.
You are a lawful weapons carrier if you are eligible for a Georgia Weapons Carry License — whether or not you have actually obtained one — and are not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. Residents of other states who would qualify but for the residency requirement, and people licensed to carry in any other state, also qualify.
A WCL still matters: other states’ reciprocity runs off the license, not off Georgia’s permitless status. Note also that a Georgia license held by someone under 21 need not be honored by other states (§ 16-11-126(d)(1)(B)). Location restrictions under § 16-11-127 apply to open and concealed carry alike.
Open carry without a WCL may be permitted in certain limited circumstances, such as on your own property or in your vehicle. For clarity in specific situations, consult O.C.G.A. § 16-11-126 or a licensed Georgia attorney.
Prohibited locations in Georgia
Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127) prohibits carry — even with a WCL — in the following locations:
- Government buildings (with security checkpoints)
- Courthouses and courtrooms
- Jails and prisons
- Places of worship (unless the governing body permits)
- State mental health facilities
- Nuclear power facilities
- Within 150 feet of a polling place during elections
- School safety zones (K–12 school buildings and grounds)
- School functions and school buses
- Bars (establishments with a license to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption where minors are not permitted)
- Any location prohibited by federal law
- Private property where the owner has posted notice or given verbal notice
College campuses: Georgia Board of Regents policy permits carry by WCL holders on University System of Georgia campuses with certain restrictions. Carry is not permitted in student housing, athletic facilities, healthcare facilities, or areas where pre-K programs are held. Verify with your specific institution.
Frequently asked questions — Georgia
Does Georgia require a permit to carry concealed?
No. As of April 12, 2022, Georgia's Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) allows any person 21+ who is legally eligible to possess a firearm to carry a handgun concealed without a Weapons Carry License (WCL). You must not be a convicted felon, subject to a domestic violence order, or otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.
Do I need a WCL for open carry in Georgia?
No. This changed in 2022 and is still widely misreported. SB 319 created the lawful weapons carrier category, and a lawful weapons carrier may carry openly or concealed with no license at all. You qualify if you are eligible for a Georgia WCL — whether or not you hold one — and are not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A WCL is still worth having for reciprocity when you travel. Location restrictions still apply.
Is the WCL worth getting even with constitutional carry?
Yes, for most gun owners. The WCL is critical for travel — most states that have reciprocity agreements require a valid carry license from your home state. Without a WCL, a Georgia resident may be unable to legally carry in many other states even if they allow carry for their own residents. The WCL costs roughly $75–$80 and lasts 5 years. Apply at your county probate court.
Can I carry in a church in Georgia?
Carry in places of worship is prohibited under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127 unless the governing body of the place of worship has adopted a policy allowing it. Many Georgia churches have opted to allow carry by WCL holders. If you are unsure, treat the location as prohibited.
Can I carry in a restaurant or bar in Georgia?
Georgia prohibits carry in "bars" — defined as establishments licensed to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption where persons under 21 are not permitted to enter. Restaurants that serve alcohol but admit minors are generally not subject to this prohibition. However, any establishment can prohibit carry by posting notice or giving verbal notice. When in doubt, leave your firearm secured in your vehicle.
Does Georgia honor out-of-state carry permits?
Yes. Georgia recognizes valid carry licenses from all other states under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-126(e). If you have a valid carry permit from any state, you may carry in Georgia under the same rules as a Georgia WCL holder. This is in addition to the permitless carry right — non-residents 21+ who are eligible to possess a firearm may also carry without any permit in Georgia.