In April 2022, Georgia became the 25th state to enact permitless constitutional carry (HB 1013). This page explains what changed, what stayed the same, and the practical limits on carrying without a GWL.
What Constitutional Carry Allows
- Any Georgia resident 21+ legally eligible to own a firearm may carry concealed without a GWL
- Open carry also permitted (has been legal for GWL holders since 2014)
- No permit, no license, no training requirement
- Handgun only — long guns (rifles, shotguns) have separate rules
What Constitutional Carry Does NOT Allow
Permitless carry does NOT let you carry in prohibited places. State law still bans firearms in:
- Federal facilities (post offices, courthouses, military bases)
- K-12 schools and school zones
- Places of worship (unless authorized by church leadership)
- Bars where drinking alcohol
- Polling places on election days
- Any property where the owner has posted “no firearms” signs
- Mental health institutions and secure government facilities
Why You May Still Want a GWL
- Reciprocity — GWL is recognized in 35+ other states. Permitless carry is not.
- Purchase without NICS delay — GWL may be accepted as an alternative to NICS check (check with dealer)
- Travel across state lines — constitutional carry is a Georgia law, not a federal one
- Documented eligibility — having a GWL is proof of your eligibility if questioned