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Weapons Charges
Georgia is generally a weapons-friendly state for law abiding citizens. Georgia allows citizens to own, possess, and use firearms with minimal government oversight. A Concealed Carry Weapons Permit (CCW) is available for legal on-your-person carry of a concealed weapon for persons without a felony conviction record.
Weapons and Legal Problems
Georgia does have laws that make certain acts with a weapon illegal, especially firearms, and street combat weapons. Types of weapons that are illegal (without ATF permits) are any firearm that is illegal under federal laws, metal knuckles, sawed-off long guns, and automatic firearms.
Concealed Carry Laws - OCGA § 16-11-126
(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a concealed weapon when such person knowingly has or carries about his or her person, unless in an open manner and fully exposed to view, any bludgeon, metal knuckles, firearm, knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character outside of his or her home or place of business, except as permitted under this Code section.
Possession and Carry Laws in Georgia - OCGA § 16-11-126
Having or carrying handguns, long guns, or other weapons; license requirement; exceptions for homes, motor vehicles, and other locations and conditions; penalties for violations
How do you get a concealed carry permit in Georgia? Eligible Georgians can apply for a Weapons Carry License through their local probate court. To learn more, visit this website.
- (a) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun may have or carry on his or her person a weapon or long gun on his or her property or inside his or her home, motor vehicle, or place of business without a valid weapons carry license.
- (h) (1) No person shall carry a weapon without a valid weapons carry license unless [exemptions only apply to guns].
Knife Laws in Georgia
In Georgia, there are no restrictions on the possession of knives, however; there are restrictions on carrying knives.
- It is legal to carry a knife with an overall length under twelve inches.
- It is illegal to carry a knife with an overall length over twelve inches.
Knives and Minors - Georgia OCGA § 16-11-101
Concerning sale and transfer, it is illegal to provide any person under the age of 18 a designated weapon. This would include, of course, any knife as "designed for the purposes of offense or defense." Violation of this prohibition would result in a misdemeanor charge.