Georgia Gun Laws 2026
Georgia requires no permit to purchase, no firearm registration and no state waiting period. A buyer completes federal Form 4473 and passes an FBI NICS check at a licensed dealer. Since April 2022, an adult who is eligible for a Georgia Weapons Carry License may carry a handgun openly or concealed without holding one. This page reflects Georgia law as of September 2026.
Buying a gun
No permit to purchase is needed, and Georgia keeps no firearm registration. At the licensed dealer, the buyer shows a government photo ID, fills out Form 4473, and the dealer runs an FBI NICS check. Georgia is not a point-of-contact state, so the dealer contacts NICS directly and no state agency is part of that call.
Dealers may sell handguns to buyers 21 and older, and rifles and shotguns to buyers 18 and older. A Georgia Weapons Carry License does not replace the NICS check. Georgia licenses stopped qualifying as a Brady alternative in 2005, so a license alone does not allow a sale without the check.
Buying online and shipping to a Georgia dealer
Handguns, rifles and shotguns cannot be delivered to a home address. The order goes to a Georgia FFL dealer chosen by the buyer, where the buyer completes Form 4473 and the NICS check before taking possession. Handgun buyers at a dealer must be 21 or older. Long gun buyers must be 18 or older.
Ammunition, optics and most parts ship to the buyer's door in Georgia. An adult signature may be required on delivery.
Carrying a gun and permits
Georgia is a permitless carry state. Under Senate Bill 319, which took effect in April 2022, a lawful weapons carrier may carry a handgun openly or concealed without a license. A lawful weapons carrier is an adult who is eligible for a Georgia Weapons Carry License and is not otherwise barred from having a gun.
The license still has uses. Some other states recognize it under reciprocity, and some settings ask for it. Residents apply at the Probate Court of the county where they live. The statutory fee is $77, including fingerprints. Renewal costs $30, and the license runs five years.
Hunting rules
For the 2026 license year, archery deer season runs Sept. 12 through Oct. 9, 2026. Primitive weapons and youth-only firearms run Sept. 12, 2026 through Jan. 31, 2027. The statewide firearms season runs Oct. 17, 2026 through Jan. 10, 2027.
The season limit is 12 deer, with no more than two of them antlered. Legal deer guns are centerfire rifles and handguns of .22 caliber or larger that fire expanding bullets, shotguns 20 gauge or larger loaded with slugs or buckshot, and muzzleloaders .30 caliber or larger. Either-sex days follow color-coded county zones, so check the current regulations for the county where the hunt takes place.
Waterfowl hunting requires a Georgia hunting license, the state migratory bird license, a HIP endorsement and a federal duck stamp. Non-toxic shot is required, and the shotgun must be plugged to three shells. On private land with the owner's permission, feral hogs have no closed season and no bag limit, and they may be taken at night with a hunter-carried light. On Wildlife Management Areas and national forest land, hog hunting follows the posted seasons, and night hunting is not allowed.
Requirements at a glance
| Item | Buying a gun | Carrying a gun |
|---|---|---|
| Permit to purchase | Not required | Not required for lawful weapons carriers |
| Registration | None | None |
| Waiting period | None | None |
| Identification and eligibility | Government photo ID at the dealer | Adult eligible for a Weapons Carry License |
| Background check | FBI NICS check, with Form 4473 | Not applicable |
| Minimum age | Handgun 21, rifle or shotgun 18 | Adult |
| License and fee | Does not replace NICS | Probate Court, $77 with fingerprints, $30 renewal, five-year term |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to buy a gun in Georgia?
No. Georgia has no permit to purchase and no state registration. The buyer shows ID, completes Form 4473 and passes an FBI NICS check at the licensed dealer who receives the order.
Where do I apply for a Weapons Carry License?
At the Probate Court in the county where you live. You must be 21 or older, or 18 to 20 with proof of completed military basic training. You are fingerprinted as part of the application.
Can a gun be shipped to a home address in Georgia?
No. Handguns, rifles and shotguns go to a licensed FFL dealer the buyer chooses, where the paperwork and background check are completed. Ammunition, optics and most parts ship to the door.
Do I need a license to carry a handgun in Georgia?
Not in most places. Since April 2022, a lawful weapons carrier may carry openly or concealed without a license. Courthouses, jails, government buildings behind security screening and a few other places remain off limits.
Laws change; confirm current rules with your county Probate Court or the Georgia DNR before you buy, carry or hunt.
Official sources
Rules and forms come from these agencies. Check them for the current version before you order; last reviewed October 2026.
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation
- Georgia Wildlife Resources Division
- ATF, Firearms
- FBI NICS background checks
General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.
