---
title: HB 601. Georgia Gun Safe Act of 2025; enact
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb601
cite_as: HB 601, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb601
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb601.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb601/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70727
date: 2025-02-27
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
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next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb602.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 129
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb601.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 601
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-02-24
last_action: House Second Readers
sponsors:
- Derrick Jackson
- Michelle Au
- Billy Mitchell
- Saira Draper
- Gabriel Sanchez
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB601/2025
upstream_id: 1982140
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- gun control
- firearm sales
- school safety zones
- weapons carry license
- police hiring standards
---
# HB 601. Georgia Gun Safe Act of 2025; enact
## Text
House Bill 601
By: Representatives Jackson of the 68th, Au of the 50th, Mitchell of the 88th, Draper of the
90th, and Sanchez of the 42nd
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16, Chapter 8 of Title 35, and Article 2 of Chapter
3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dangerous
instrumentalities and practices, the employment and training of peace officers, and
organization and administration relative to emergency management, respectively, so as to
broadly increase the regulation surrounding gun sales and ownership; to provide for the
offense of selling or furnishing handguns or long guns to minors; to prohibit parents or legal
guardians from permitting the possession of handguns or long guns by a minor in certain
circumstances; to provide for exceptions; to provide for the offense of the possession of a
large capacity magazine or a firearm produced by means of 3D printing; to provide for
circumstances under which individuals who are not licensed to carry a weapon may transport
such weapon; to provide a time frame for new residents of the state to obtain a weapons carry
license; to provide for school safety zones to extend 500 yards from school premises; to
require weapons carry licenses to be renewed each year; to reduce the fee for weapons carry
licenses; to provide for certain conditions to obtain or renew a weapons carry license,
including for active service members; to prohibit anyone under the age of 16 years from
possessing or controlling a handgun or long gun; to provide for anyone under the age of 18
years from possessing or controlling a handgun or long gun without parental or guardian
supervision or in certain circumstances; to require individuals who are carrying a weapon to
have a weapons carry license on their person; to provide for the establishment of the Georgia
Firearms Registry; to require the registration of all firearms sales and transfers in this state
after a certain date; to require certain information to be entered into the Georgia Firearms
Registry; to provide for requirements for safe storage of a firearm in a vehicle; to provide for
requirements for safe storage of firearms when the owner is not present on the premises; to
provide for exceptions; to provide for safe storage of firearms when access by a child is
reasonably likely; to require ammunition be stored separately from firearms; to subject all
transfers or purchases of firearms at gun shows to the National Instant Criminal Background
Check System; to provide for facilitation by licensed dealers; to prohibit sales of firearms to
individuals under the age of 21; to require a five-day waiting period to complete transactions
for firearms to individuals under the age of 27; to prohibit the sale or transfer by certain
dealers of assault weapons in this state until a certain date; to prohibit the certification or
hiring of any individual as a peace officer who has been terminated for misconduct related
to any previous employment as a peace officer; to provide for exceptions; to provide for
violations, penalties, and fines; to provide for definitions; to provide for conforming changes;
to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Gun Safe Act of 2025."
SECTION 2.
Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
dangerous instrumentalities and practices, is amended in Part 1, relating to general
provisions, by revising Code Section 16-11-101.1, relating to furnishing pistol or revolver
to person under the age of 18 years, as follows:
"16-11-101.1.
(a) For the purposes of As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Handgun' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 16-11-125.1.
(2) 'Long gun' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 16-11-125.1.
(3) 'Minor' means any person under the age of 18 years.
(2) 'Pistol or revolver' means a handgun as defined in Code Section 16-11-125.1.
(b) It shall be unlawful for a person to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly to sell or
furnish a pistol or revolver handgun or long gun to a minor, except that it shall be lawful
for a parent or legal guardian to permit possession of a pistol or revolver handgun or long
gun by a minor for the purposes specified in subsection (c) (d) of Code Section 16-11-132
unless otherwise expressly limited by subsection (c) of this Code section.
(c)(1) It shall be unlawful for a parent or legal guardian to permit possession of a pistol
or revolver handgun or long gun by a minor if the parent or legal guardian knows of a
minor's conduct which violates the provisions of Code Section 16-11-132 and fails to
make reasonable efforts to prevent any such violation of Code Section 16-11-132.
(2) Notwithstanding any provisions of subsection (c) (d) of Code Section 16-11-132 or
any other law to the contrary, it shall be unlawful for any parent or legal guardian to
intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly to furnish to or permit a minor to possess a pistol
or revolver handgun or long gun if such parent or legal guardian is aware of a substantial
risk that such minor will use a pistol or revolver to commit a felony offense or if such
parent or legal guardian who is aware of such substantial risk fails to make reasonable
efforts to prevent commission of the offense by the minor.
(3) In addition to any other act which violates this subsection, a parent or legal guardian
shall be deemed to have violated this subsection if such parent or legal guardian furnishes
to or permits possession of a pistol or revolver handgun or long gun by any minor who
has been convicted of a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as defined in Code
Section 16-1-3, or who has been adjudicated for committing a delinquent act under the
provisions of Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 for an offense which would constitute
a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as defined in Code Section 16-1-3, if such
minor were an adult.
(d) Upon conviction of a violation of subsection (b) or (c) of this Code section, a person
shall be guilty of a felony and punished by a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 or by
imprisonment for not less than three nor more than five years, or both."
SECTION 3.
Said article is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"16-11-114.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term '3D printed firearm' means any weapon produced
by means of three-dimensional printing from computer-aided design files which is designed
or intended to propel a missile of any kind and which is not produced subject to a license
from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of the United States
Department of Justice for the manufacture of firearms.
(b) It shall be unlawful to print or to produce a 3D printed firearm in this state.
(c) Any person that violates this Code section shall commit the offense of possessing a 3D
printed firearm and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for a
period of five years."
SECTION 4.
Said article is further amended by revising Part 2, relating to possession of dangerous
weapons, as follows:
"Part 2
16-11-120.
This part shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Firearms and Weapons Act.'
16-11-121.
As used in this part, the term:
(1) '3D printed firearm' means any weapon produced by means of three-dimensional
printing from computer-aided design files which is designed or intended to propel a
missile of any kind and which is not produced subject to a license from the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of the United States Department of Justice
for the manufacture of firearms.
(2) 'Dangerous weapon' means any weapon commonly known as a 'rocket launcher,'
'bazooka,' or 'recoilless rifle' rocket launcher, bazooka, or recoilless rifle which fires
explosive or nonexplosive rockets designed to injure or kill personnel or destroy heavy
armor, or similar weapon used for such purpose. The Such term shall also mean a
weapon commonly known as a 'mortar' mortar which fires high explosive from a metallic
cylinder and which is commonly used by the armed forces as an antipersonnel weapon
or similar weapon used for such purpose. The Such term shall also mean a weapon
commonly known as a 'hand grenade' hand grenade or other similar weapon which is
designed to explode and injure personnel or similar weapon used for such purpose.
(3) 'Large capacity magazine' means any ammunition feeding device with the capacity
to accept more than sixteen rounds of ammunition; provided, however, that such term
shall not include:
(A) A feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate
more than ten rounds; or
(B) A tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.
(2)(4) 'Machine gun' means any weapon which shoots or is designed to shoot,
automatically, more than six shots, without manual reloading, by a single function of the
trigger.
(3)(5) 'Person' means any individual, partnership, company, association, or corporation.
(4)(6) 'Sawed-off rifle' means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and
intended to be fired from the shoulder; and designed or redesigned, made or remade, to
use the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile
through a rifle bore for each single pull of the trigger; and which has a barrel or barrels
of less than 16 inches in length or has an overall length of less than 26 inches.
(5)(7) 'Sawed-off shotgun' means a shotgun or any weapon made from a shotgun whether
by alteration, modification, or otherwise having one or more barrels less than 18 inches
in length or if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches.
(6)(8) 'Shotgun' means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended
to be fired from the shoulder; and designed or redesigned, and made or remade, to use the
energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a
number of ball shot or a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger.
(7)(9) 'Silencer' means any device for silencing or diminishing the report of any portable
weapon such as a rifle, carbine, pistol, revolver, machine gun, shotgun, fowling piece, or
other device from which a shot, bullet, or projectile may be discharged by an explosive.
16-11-122.
No person shall have in his or her possession any 3D printed firearm, sawed-off shotgun,
sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer
except as provided in Code Section 16-11-124.
16-11-123.
A person commits the offense of unlawful possession of firearms or weapons when he or
she knowingly has in his or her possession any 3D printed firearm, sawed-off shotgun,
sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer, and,
upon conviction thereof, he or she shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of five
years.
16-11-124.
This part shall not apply to:
(1) A peace officer of any duly authorized police agency of this state or of any political
subdivision thereof, or a law enforcement officer of any department or agency of the
United States who is regularly employed and paid by the United States, this state, or any
such political subdivision, or an employee of the Department of Corrections of this state
who is authorized in writing by the commissioner of corrections to transfer or possess
such firearms while in the official performance of his or her duties;
(2) A member of the National Guard or of the armed forces of the United States,
including to wit: the army, navy, marine corps, air force, space force, or coast guard who,
while serving therein, possesses such firearm in the line of duty;
(3) Any 3D printed firearm, sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large
capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer which has been modified or changed
to the extent that it is inoperative. Examples of the requisite modification include
weapons with their barrel or barrels filled with lead, hand grenades filled with sand, or
other nonexplosive materials;
(4) Possession of a sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, dangerous weapon,
or silencer by a person who is authorized to possess the same because he or she has
registered the 3D printed firearm, sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, large
capacity magazine, dangerous weapon, or silencer in accordance with the dictates of the
National Firearms Act, 68A Stat. 725 (26 U.S.C. Sections 5841-5862); and
(5) A security officer employed by a federally licensed nuclear power facility or a
licensee of such facility, including a contract security officer, who is trained and qualified
under a security plan approved by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission or
other federal agency authorized to regulate nuclear facility security; provided, however,
that this exemption shall apply only while such security officer is acting in connection
with his or her official duties on the premises of such nuclear power facility or on
properties outside the facility property pursuant to a written agreement entered into with
the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the facility. The exemption
under this paragraph does not include the possession of silencers.
16-11-125.
In any complaint, accusation, or indictment and in any action or proceeding brought for the
enforcement of this part it shall not be necessary to negative any exception, excuse,
proviso, or exemption contained in this part, and the burden of proof of any such exception,
excuse, proviso, or exemption shall be upon the defendant."
SECTION 5.
Said article is further amended in Part 3, relating to carrying and possession of firearms, by
revising Code Section 16-11-125.1, relating to definitions, as follows:
"16-11-125.1.
As used in this part, the term:
(1) 'Handgun' means a firearm of any description, loaded or unloaded, from which any
shot, bullet, or other missile can be discharged by an action of an explosive where the
length of the barrel, not including any revolving, detachable, or magazine breech, does
not exceed 12 inches; provided, however, that the term 'handgun' such term shall not
include a gun which discharges a single shot of 0.46 centimeter or less in diameter.
(2) 'Knife' means a cutting instrument designed for the purpose of offense and defense
consisting of a blade that is greater than 12 inches in length which is fastened to a handle.
(2.1) 'Lawful weapons carrier' means any person who is licensed or eligible for a license
pursuant to Code Section 16-11-129 and who is not otherwise prohibited by law from
possessing a weapon or long gun, any resident of any other state who would otherwise
be eligible to obtain a license pursuant to such Code section but for the residency
requirement, and any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state.
(3) 'License holder' means a person who holds a valid weapons carry license.
(4) 'Long gun' means a firearm with a barrel length of at least 18 inches and overall
length of at least 26 inches designed or made and intended to be fired from the shoulder
and designed or made to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed:
(A) Shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a single
projectile for each single pull of the trigger or from which any shot, bullet, or other
missile can be discharged; or
(B) Metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a rifle bore for each single
pull of the trigger;
provided, however, that the term 'long gun' such term shall not include a gun which
discharges a single shot of 0.46 centimeter or less in diameter.
(5) 'Weapon' means a knife or handgun.
(6) 'Weapons carry license' or 'license' means a license issued pursuant to Code Section
16-11-129."
SECTION 6.
Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-126, relating to
having or carrying handguns, long guns, or other weapons, exceptions for homes, motor
vehicles, private property, and other locations and conditions and unlawful carrying of a
weapon, as follows:
"16-11-126.
(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.
(b) 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 long gun.
(c) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun may
have or carry any handgun, provided that it is enclosed in a case and unloaded.
(d) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun who
is eligible for a weapons carry license a lawful weapons carrier may transport a handgun
or long gun in any private passenger motor vehicle; provided, however, that private
property owners or persons in legal control of private property through a lease, rental
agreement, licensing agreement, contract, or any other agreement to control access to such
private property shall have the right to exclude or eject a person who is in possession of a
weapon or long gun on their private property in accordance with paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of Code Section 16-7-21, except as provided in Code Section 16-11-135.
(d)(e)(1) Any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state shall be authorized to
carry a weapon in this state while the licensee is not a resident of this state; provided,
however, that:
(A) Such licensee person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state shall carry the
weapon in compliance with the laws of this state; and
(B) No other state shall be required to recognize and give effect to a license issued
pursuant to this part that is held by a person who is younger than 21 years of age.
(2)(A) The Attorney General shall create and maintain on the Department of Law's
website a list of states whose laws recognize and give effect to a license issued pursuant
to this part.
(B) The Attorney General shall enter into an agreement with any state that requires an
agreement to recognize and give effect to a license issued pursuant to this part.
(C) Any person who is not a weapons carry license holder in this state and who is
licensed to carry a weapon in any other state whose laws recognize and give effect to
a license issued pursuant to this part shall be authorized to carry a weapon in this state
for 90 days after he or she becomes a resident of this state; provided, however, that such
person shall carry the weapon in compliance with the laws of this state, shall as soon
as practicable submit a weapons carry license application as provided for under Code
Section 16-11-129, and shall remain licensed in such other state for the duration of time
that he or she is a resident of this state but not a weapons carry license holder in this
state.
(e)(f)(1) Any person with a valid hunting or fishing license on his or her person, or any
person not required by law to have a hunting or fishing license, who is engaged in legal
hunting, fishing, or sport shooting when the person has the permission of the owner of
the land on which the activities are being conducted may have or carry on his or her
person a weapon or long gun while hunting, fishing, or engaging in sport shooting.
(2) Any person with a valid hunting or fishing license on his or her person, or any person
not required by law to have a hunting or fishing license, who is otherwise engaged in
legal hunting, fishing, or sport shooting on recreational or wildlife management areas
owned by this state may have or carry on his or her person a knife while engaging in such
hunting, fishing, or sport shooting.
(f)(g) Notwithstanding Code Sections 12-3-10, 27-3-1.1, 27-3-6, and 16-12-122 through
16-12-127, any lawful weapons carrier may carry a weapon in all parks, historic sites, or
recreational areas, as such term is defined in Code Section 12-3-10, including all publicly
owned buildings located in such parks, historic sites, and recreational areas, in wildlife
management areas, and on public transportation; provided, however, that a person shall not
carry a handgun into a place where it is prohibited by federal law.
(g)(h)(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (a) through (f) (g) of this Code
section, no person shall carry a weapon unless he or she is a lawful weapons carrier.
(2) A person commits the offense of unlawful carrying of a weapon when he or she
violates the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(h)(i) Upon conviction of the offense of unlawful carrying of a weapon, a person shall be
punished as follows:
(1) For the first offense, he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; and
(2) For the second offense within five years, as measured from the dates of previous
arrests for which convictions were obtained to the date of the current arrest for which a
conviction is obtained, and for any subsequent offense, he or she shall be guilty of a
felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned for not less than two years and
not more than five years.
(i)(j) Nothing in this Code section shall in any way operate or be construed to affect, repeal,
or limit the exemptions provided for under Code Section 16-11-130."
SECTION 7.
Said article is further amended in said part in Code Section 16-11-127.1, relating to carrying
weapons within school safety zones, at school functions, or on a bus or other transportation
furnished by a school, by revising subsection (a), by reserving paragraph (6) of subsection
(c), and by revising paragraph (20) of subsection (c) as follows:
"(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Bus or other transportation furnished by a school' means a bus or other transportation
furnished by a public or private elementary or secondary school.
(2) 'School function' means a school function or related activity that occurs outside of a
school safety zone and is for a public or private elementary or secondary school.
(3) 'School safety zone' means in or on within 500 yards of any real property or building
owned by or leased to:
(A) Any public or private elementary school, secondary school, or local board of
education and used for elementary or secondary education; and
(B) Any public or private technical school, vocational school, college, university, or
other institution of postsecondary education.
(4) 'Weapon' means and includes any pistol, revolver, or any weapon designed or
intended to propel a missile of any kind, or any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife,
ballistic knife, any other knife having a blade of two or more inches, straight-edge razor,
razor blade, spring stick, knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or
other similar material, blackjack, any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon, or any
flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as
to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck,
nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of whatever configuration, having at
least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which
may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any weapon of like kind, and any
stun gun or taser as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 16-11-106. This paragraph
excludes any of these instruments used for classroom work authorized by the teacher."
"(20)(A) Any lawful weapons carrier when he or she is in any building or on real
property owned by or leased to any public technical school, vocational school, college,
or university, or other public institution of postsecondary education; provided, however,
that such exception shall:
(i) Not apply to buildings or property used for athletic sporting events or student
housing, including, but not limited to, fraternity and sorority houses;
(ii) Not apply to any preschool or childcare space located within such buildings or
real property;
(iii) Not apply to any room or space being used for classes related to a college and
career academy or other specialized school as provided for under Code Section
20-4-37;
(iv) Not apply to any room or space being used for classes in which high school
students are enrolled through a dual enrollment program, including, but not limited
to, classes related to the 'Dual Enrollment Act' as provided for under Code Section
20-2-161.3;
(v) Not apply to faculty, staff, or administrative offices or rooms where disciplinary
proceedings are conducted; and
(vi) Only apply to the carrying of handguns which a person is licensed to carry
pursuant to subsection (e) of Code Section 16-11-126 and pursuant to Code Section
16-11-129; and
(vi)(vii) Only apply to the carrying of handguns which are concealed.
(B) Any lawful weapons carrier who carries a handgun in a manner or in a building,
property, room, or space in violation of this paragraph shall be guilty of a misdemeanor;
provided, however, that, for a conviction of a first offense, such lawful weapons carrier
shall be punished by a fine of $25.00 and not be sentenced to serve any term of
confinement.
(C) As used in this paragraph, the term:
(i) 'Concealed' means carried in such a fashion that does not actively solicit the
attention of others and is not prominently, openly, and intentionally displayed except
for purposes of defense of self or others. Such term shall include, but not be limited
to, carrying on one's person while such handgun is substantially, but not necessarily
completely, covered by an article of clothing which is worn by such person, carrying
within a bag of a nondescript nature which is being carried about by such person, or
carrying in any other fashion as to not be clearly discernible by the passive
observation of others.
(ii) 'Preschool or childcare space' means any room or continuous collection of rooms
or any enclosed outdoor facilities which are separated from other spaces by an
electronic mechanism or human-staffed point of controlled access and designated for
the provision of preschool or childcare services, including, but not limited to,
preschool or childcare services licensed or regulated under Article 1 of Chapter 1A
of Title 20."
SECTION 8.
Said article is further amended in said part in Code Section 16-11-129, relating to weapons
carry license, gun safety information, temporary renewal permit, mandamus, and verification
of license, by revising subsection (a) and subparagraph (b)(2)(H) as follows:
"(a) Application for weapons carry license or renewal license; term.
(1) The judge of the probate court of each county shall, on application under oath, on
payment of a fee of $30.00 $20.00, and on investigation of the applicant pursuant to
subsections (b) and (d) of this Code section, issue a weapons carry license or renewal
license valid for a period of five years one year to any person whose domicile is in that
county or who is on active duty with the United States armed forces and who is not a
domiciliary of this state but who either resides in that county or on a military reservation
located in whole or in part in that county at the time of such application. Such license or
renewal license shall authorize that person to carry any weapon in any county of this state
notwithstanding any change in that person's county of residence or state of domicile.
(2)(A) As used in this paragraph subsection, the term 'service member' means an active
duty member of the regular or reserve component of the United States Army, United
States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, United States Air
Force, United States Space Force, United States National Guard, Georgia Army
National Guard, or Georgia Air National Guard.
(B) Any service member whose weapons carry license or renewal license expired while
such service member was serving on active duty outside this state shall be authorized
to carry any weapon in accordance with such expired license for a period of six months
from the date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location
within this state. When carrying a weapon pursuant to Code Section 16-11-137, the
service member shall also have in his or her immediate possession a copy of the official
military orders or a written verification signed by such service member's commanding
officer which shall evidence that such service member is authorized to carry any
weapon in accordance with such expired license for a period of six months from the
date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location within this
state.
(3)(A)(B) Applicants shall submit the application for a weapons carry license or
renewal license to the judge of the probate court on forms prescribed and furnished free
of charge to persons wishing to apply for the license or renewal license.
(C)(B)(i) An application shall be considered to be for a renewal license if the
applicant has a weapons carry license or renewal license with 90 or fewer days
remaining before the expiration of such weapons carry license or renewal license or
30 or fewer days since the expiration of such weapons carry license or renewal license
regardless of the county of issuance of the applicant's expired or expiring weapons
carry license or renewal license.
(ii) An application of any service member whose weapons carry license or renewal
license expired while such service member was serving on active duty outside this
state shall be considered to be for a renewal license if such service member applies
within six months from the date of his or her discharge from active duty or
reassignment to a location within this state as provided for in a copy of such service
member's official military orders or a written verification signed by such service
member's commanding officer as provided by the service member.
(iii) An applicant who is not a United States citizen shall provide sufficient personal
identifying data, including without limitation, his or her place of birth and United
States issued alien or admission number, as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation may
prescribe by rule or regulation. An applicant who is in nonimmigrant status shall
provide proof of his or her qualifications for an exception to the federal firearm
prohibition pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 922(y). Forms shall be designed to elicit
information from the applicant pertinent to his or her eligibility under this Code
section, including citizenship, but shall not require data which is nonpertinent or
irrelevant, such as serial numbers or other identification capable of being used as a de
facto registration of firearms owned by the applicant. The Department of Public
Safety shall furnish application forms and license forms required by this Code section.
The forms shall be furnished to each judge of each probate court within this state at
no cost."
"(H) Any person who has been convicted of any of the following:
(i) Carrying a weapon without a weapons carry license in violation of Code
Section 16-11-126; or
(ii) Carrying carrying a weapon or long gun in an unauthorized location in violation
of Code Section 16-11-127 and has not been free of all restraint or supervision in
connection therewith and free of any other conviction for at least five years
immediately preceding the date of the application;"
SECTION 9.
Said article is further amended in said part by repealing in its entirety Code Section
16-11-130.1, relating to allowing personnel to carry weapons within certain school safety
zones and at school functions, and designating said Code section as reserved.
SECTION 10.
Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-132, relating to
possession of handgun by person under the age of 18 years, as follows:
"16-11-132.
(a) For the purposes of this Code section, a handgun or long gun is considered loaded if
there is a cartridge in the chamber or cylinder of the handgun.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part and except as otherwise provided in
this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 16 years to
possess or have under such person's control a handgun or long gun. A person convicted
of a first violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished
by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by imprisonment confinement for not more than 12
months, or both. A person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection
shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by a fine of $5,000.00 or by imprisonment
for a period of three years, or both.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part and except as otherwise provided in
this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 years to possess
or have under such person's control a handgun or long gun. A person convicted of a first
violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a
fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by confinement for not more than 12 months, or both. A
person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection shall be guilty of
a felony and shall be punished by a fine of $5,000.00 or by imprisonment for a period of
three years, or both.
(c)(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) (e) of this Code section, the
provisions of subsection (b) (c) of this Code section shall not apply to:
(1) Any person under the age of 18 years who is:
(A) Attending a hunter education course or a firearms safety course;
(B) Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established
range authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction where such range is located;
(C) Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm or
participating in or practicing for a performance by an organized group under 26 U.S.C.
Section 501(c)(3) which uses firearms as a part of such performance;
(D) Hunting or fishing pursuant to a valid license if such person has in his or her
possession such a valid hunting or fishing license if required; is engaged in legal
hunting or fishing; has permission of the owner of the land on which the activities are
being conducted; and the handgun or long gun, whenever loaded, is carried only in an
open and fully exposed manner; or
(E) Traveling to or from any activity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of
this paragraph if the handgun or long gun in such person's possession is not loaded;
(2) Any person under the age of 18 years who is on real property under the control of
such person's parent, legal guardian, or grandparent and who has the permission of such
person's parent or legal guardian to possess a handgun or long gun; or
(3) Any person under the age of 18 years who is at such person's residence and who, with
the permission of such person's parent or legal guardian, possesses a handgun or long gun
for the purpose of exercising the rights authorized in Code Section 16-3-21 or 16-3-23.
(d)(e) Subsection (c) (d) of this Code section shall not apply to any person under the age
of 18 years who has been convicted of a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as
defined in Code Section 16-1-3, or who has been adjudicated for committing a delinquent
act under the provisions of Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 for an offense which would
constitute a forcible felony or forcible misdemeanor, as defined in Code Section 16-1-3,
if such person were an adult."
SECTION 11.
Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-137, relating to
detention for investigation of license to carry prohibited, as follows:
"16-11-137.
(a) Each weapons carry license holder shall have his or her valid weapons carry license in
his or her immediate possession at all times when carrying a weapon, or if such person is
exempt from having a weapons carry license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-130 or
subsection (c) of Code Section 16-11-127.1, he or she shall have proof of his or her
exemption in his or her immediate possession at all times when carrying a weapon, and his
or her failure to do so shall be prima-facie evidence of a violation of the applicable
provision of Code Sections 16-11-126 through 16-11-127.2.
(b) A person carrying a weapon shall not be subject to detention for the sole purpose of
investigating whether such person has a weapons carry license, whether such person is
exempt from having a weapons carry license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-130 or
subsection (c) of Code Section 16-11-127.1, or whether such person is a lawful weapons
carrier as defined in Code Section 16-11-125.1.
(c) A person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be fined not more than
$10.00 if he or she produces in court his or her weapons carry license, provided that such
license was valid at the time of his or her arrest, or produces proof of his or her exemption."
SECTION 12.
Said article is further amended in said part by adding new Code sections to read as follows:
"16-11-139.
(a) There is established the Georgia Firearms Registry, to be maintained by the Secretary
of State. The Georgia Firearms Registry shall collect for each entry:
(1) The name of the owner or owners of the firearm;
(2) The name of the individual or entity from which the firearm was purchased or
received;
(3) The identification number of the firearm; and
(4) The date of purchase or transfer.
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any firearm purchased
through private sale, purchased through a retailer, gifted, inherited, or otherwise acquired
by a resident of this state after July 1, 2025, shall be registered by the purchaser or
recipient with the Georgia Firearms Registry within 30 days of such purchase or receipt.
(2) Any firearm purchased through private sale, purchased through a retailer, gifted,
inherited, or otherwise acquired by a resident of this state outside of this state after July 1,
2025, shall be registered by the purchaser or recipient with the Georgia Firearms Registry
within 30 days of such person's return to the state.
(c) A person convicted of a first violation of subsection (b) of this Code section shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by
confinement for not more than 12 months, or both. A person convicted of a second or
subsequent violation of subsection (b) of this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and
shall be punished by a fine of $5,000.00 or by imprisonment for a period of three years, or
both.
16-11-140.
(a) A person shall not store a firearm in a motor vehicle unless the firearm is:
(1) Unloaded and in a case expressly made to contain such firearm, and the case fully
encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened, and
without any portion of the firearm exposed; or
(2) Unloaded and in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
(b) Subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to the following persons when
acting in the performance of their official duties or when en route to or from their official
duties:
(1) A peace officer as defined by Code Section 35-8-2;
(2) A law enforcement officer of the United States government;
(3) A prosecuting attorney of this state or of the United States;
(4) An employee of the Department of Corrections or a correctional facility operated by
a political subdivision of this state or the United States who is authorized to carry a
firearm by the head of such department or correctional agency or facility;
(5) An employee of the Department of Community Supervision who is authorized by the
commissioner of community supervision to carry a firearm;
(6) A person employed as a campus police officer or school security officer who is
authorized to carry a weapon in accordance with Chapter 8 of Title 20; or
(7) Medical examiners, coroners, and their investigators who are employed by the state
or any political subdivision thereof.
(c) When the licensed owner of a firearm is not on the premises where such firearm is
stored or when such owner knows, or should reasonably know, that a child is likely to gain
access to such firearm unless reasonable action is taken to secure the firearm against access
by the child, any such firearm shall be secured or stored by using one of the following
methods appropriate to each firearm:
(1) Secure the firearm with a hardened steel rod or cable at least one-eighth of an inch
in diameter through the trigger guard of such firearm. The steel rod or cable shall be
secured with a hardened steel lock that has a shackle. The lock and shackle shall be
protected or shielded from the use of a bolt cutter, and the rod or cable shall be anchored
in a manner that prevents the removal of such firearm from the premises; or
(2) Store the firearm in a locked fireproof safe or vault.
(d) When a firearm is required to be stored pursuant to this Code section, no ammunition
for such firearm shall be stored in the same lock box, safe, or other container."
SECTION 13.
Said article is further amended in Part 5, relating to Brady Law regulations, by revising Code
Section 16-11-171, relating to definitions, as follows:
"16-11-171.
As used in this part, the term:
(1) 'Center' means the Georgia Crime Information Center within the Georgia Bureau of
Investigation.
(2) 'Dealer' means any person licensed as a dealer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 921, et
seq.
(3) 'Firearm' means any weapon that is designed to or may readily be converted to expel
a projectile by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of any such weapon,
any firearm muffler or firearm silencer, or any destructive device as defined in 18 U.S.C.
Section 921(a)(3).
(4) 'Gun show' means any event, function, or marketplace at which 25 or more firearms
are offered or exhibited for sale, transfer, or exchange.
(5) 'Gun show vendor' means any person that offers for sale, exhibits, sells, transfers, or
exchanges one or more firearms at a gun show.
(6) 'Involuntarily hospitalized' means hospitalized as an inpatient in any mental health
facility pursuant to Code Section 37-3-81 or hospitalized as an inpatient in any mental
health facility as a result of being adjudicated mentally incompetent to stand trial or being
adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the crime pursuant to Part 2 of
Article 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 17.
(5)(7) 'NICS' means the National Instant Criminal Background Check System created
by the federal 'Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act' (P. L. No. 103-159)."
SECTION 14.
Said article is further amended in said part by revising subsection (a) of Code Section
16-11-172, relating to transfers or purchases of firearms subject to the NICS, information
concerning persons who have been involuntarily hospitalized to be forwarded to the FBI,
penalties for breach of confidentiality, and exceptions, as follows:
"(a) All transfers or purchases of firearms conducted by a licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, gun show vendor, or licensed dealer shall be subject to the NICS. To the
extent possible, the center shall provide to the NICS all necessary criminal history
information and wanted person records in order to complete an NICS check. A gun show
vendor may contract with a licensed dealer for purposes of facilitating transfers, purchases,
or NICS checks."
SECTION 15.
Said article is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"16-11-172.1.
(a) No purchase or transfer of a firearm shall be conducted by a licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor to any individual under 21 years of age.
(b) All purchases or transfers of firearms to individuals under 27 years of age and
conducted by a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show
vendor shall not be completed until the fifth day after the initiation of such purchase or
transfer; provided, however, that the calculation of the five days shall not include
Saturdays, Sundays, or state or federal holidays; and provided, further, that the NICS check
provided for under Code Section 16-11-172 may be conducted within the five days.
(c) Licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and gun show vendors
shall, during normal business hours, make records available for inspection by any law
enforcement agency for purposes of any criminal investigation.
(d) Any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor that
violates this Code section, or any purchaser or transferee who uses fraud or false
representation to circumvent the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section, shall
be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less
than one nor more than five years."
SECTION 16.
Said article is further amended in said part by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"16-11-174.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'assault weapon' means:
(1) A semiautomatic rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches;
(2) A conversion kit, part, or combination of parts, from which an assault weapon can
be assembled or from which a firearm can be converted into an assault weapon if such
parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person;
(3) A semiautomatic, center fire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable
magazine and has one or more of the following:
(A) A grip that is independent or detached from the stock that protrudes conspicuously
beneath the action of the weapon. The addition of a fin attaching the grip to the stock
does not exempt the grip if it otherwise resembles the grip found on a pistol;
(B) Thumbhole stock;
(C) Folding or telescoping stock;
(D) Forward pistol, vertical, angled, or other grip designed for use by the nonfiring
hand to improve control;
(E) Flash suppressor, flash guard, flash eliminator, flash hider, sound suppressor,
silencer, or any item designed to reduce the visual or audio signature of the firearm;
(F) Muzzle brake, recoil compensator, or any item designed to be affixed to the barrel
to reduce recoil or muzzle rise;
(G) Threaded barrel designed to attach a flash suppressor, sound suppressor, muzzle
break, or similar item;
(H) Grenade launcher or flare launcher; or
(I) A shroud that encircles either all or part of the barrel designed to shield the bearer's
hand from heat, except a solid forearm of a stock that covers only the bottom of the
barrel;
(4) A semiautomatic, center fire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to
accept more than ten rounds;
(5) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and has
one or more of the following:
(A) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or
silencer;
(B) A second hand grip;
(C) A shroud that encircles either all or part of the barrel designed to shield the bearer's
hand from heat, except a solid forearm of a stock that covers only the bottom of the
barrel; or
(D) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol
grip; or
(6) A semiautomatic shotgun that has any of the following:
(A) A folding or telescoping stock;
(B) A grip that is independent or detached from the stock that protrudes conspicuously
beneath the action of the weapon. The addition of a fin attaching the grip to the stock
does not exempt the grip if it otherwise resembles the grip found on a pistol;
(C) A thumbhole stock;
(D) A forward pistol, vertical, angled, or other grip designed for use by the nonfiring
hand to improve control;
(E) A fixed magazine in excess of seven rounds; or
(F) A revolving cylinder shotgun.
(b) No purchase or transfer of any assault weapon shall be conducted by a licensed
importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor in this state for the
period beginning July 1, 2025, through January 1, 2036.
(c) Any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or gun show vendor that
violates this Code section, or any purchaser or transferee who uses fraud or false
representation to circumvent the requirements of subsection (b) of this Code section, shall
be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less
than one nor more than five years."
SECTION 17.
Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the employment
and training of peace officers, is amended by revising Code Section 35-8-8, relating to the
requirements for appointment or certification of persons as peace officers and
preemployment attendance at a basic training course, and "employment related information"
defined, as follows:
"35-8-8.
(a) Any person employed or certified as a peace officer shall:
(1) Be at least 18 years of age;
(2) Be a citizen of the United States;
(3) Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
(4) Not have been convicted by any state or by the federal government of any crime the
punishment for which could have been imprisonment in the federal or state prison or
institution nor have been convicted of sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of
disregard for the law, provided that, for the purposes of this paragraph, violations of
traffic laws and other offenses involving the operation of motor vehicles when the
applicant has received a pardon shall not be considered;
(5) Be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint based search at the
Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine the
existence of any criminal record;
(6) Possess good moral character as determined by investigation under procedure
established by the council and fully cooperate during the course of such investigation;
(7) Be found, after examination by a licensed physician or surgeon, to be free from any
physical, emotional, or mental conditions which might adversely affect his or her exercise
of the powers or duties of a peace officer; and
(8) Successfully complete a job related academy entrance examination provided for and
administered by the council in conformity with state and federal law. Such examination
shall be administered prior to entrance to the basic course provided for in Code Sections
35-8-9 and 35-8-11. The council may change or modify such examination and shall
establish the criteria for determining satisfactory performance on such examination. The
provisions of this paragraph establish only the minimum requirements of academy
entrance examinations for peace officer candidates in this state; each law enforcement
unit is encouraged to provide such additional requirements and any preemployment
examination as it deems necessary and appropriate. Any person with a degree from a
postsecondary institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the
United States Department of Education shall be deemed to have met the requirements of
this paragraph.
(b) Any person authorized to attend the basic training course prior to employment as a
peace officer shall meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section.
(c)(1) For purposes of As used in this subsection, the term 'employment related
information' means written information contained in a prior employer's records or
personnel files that relates to an applicant's, candidate's, or peace officer's performance
or behavior while employed by such prior employer, including performance evaluations,
records of disciplinary actions, and eligibility for rehire. Such term shall not include
information prohibited from disclosure by federal law or any document not in the
possession of the employer at the time a request for such information is received.
(2) Where an investigation is conducted for the purpose of hiring, certifying, or
continuing the certification of a peace officer, an employer shall disclose employment
related information to the investigating law enforcement agency upon receiving a written
request from such agency. Disclosure shall only be required under this subsection if the
law enforcement agency's request is accompanied by a copy of a signed, notarized
statement from the applicant, candidate, or peace officer releasing and holding harmless
such employer from any and all liability for disclosing complete and accurate information
to the law enforcement agency.
(3) An employer may charge a reasonable fee to cover actual costs incurred in copying
and furnishing documents to a requesting law enforcement agency, including retrieving
and redacting costs, provided that such amount shall not exceed $25.00 or 25ยข per page,
whichever is greater. No employer shall be required to prepare or create any document
not already in the employer's possession at the time a request for employment related
information is received. Any employment related information provided pursuant to this
subsection that is not subject to public disclosure while in the possession of a prior
employer shall continue to be privileged and protected from public disclosure as a record
of the requesting law enforcement agency.
(4) No employer or law enforcement agency shall be subject to any civil liability for any
cause of action by virtue of disclosing complete and accurate information to a law
enforcement agency in good faith and without malice pursuant to this subsection. In any
such cause of action, malice or bad faith shall only be demonstrated by clear and
convincing evidence. Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed so as to
affect or limit rights or remedies provided by federal law.
(5) Before taking final action on an application for employment based, in whole or in
part, on any unfavorable employment related information received from a previous
employer, a law enforcement agency shall inform the applicant, candidate, or peace
officer that it has received such employment related information and that the applicant,
candidate, or peace officer may inspect and respond in writing to such information. Upon
the applicant's, candidate's, or peace officer's request, the law enforcement agency shall
allow him or her to inspect the employment related information and to submit a written
response to such information. The request for inspection shall be made within five
business days from the date that the applicant, candidate, or peace officer is notified of
the law enforcement agency's receipt of such employment related information. The
inspection shall occur not later than ten business days after said notification. Any
response to the employment related information shall be made by the applicant,
candidate, or peace officer not later than three business days after his or her inspection.
(6) No person shall be certified, or allowed to continue in his or her certification, or hired
as a peace officer if an investigation undertaken pursuant to this subsection determines
that such individual has ever been terminated from a position as a peace officer based on
misconduct related to such position.
(7) Nothing contained in this Code section shall be construed so as to require any person
to provide self-incriminating information or otherwise to compel any person to act in
violation of his or her right guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the United States
Constitution and Article I, Section I, Paragraph XVI of the Georgia Constitution. It shall
not be a violation of this Code section for a person to fail to provide requested
information based on a claim that such information is self-incriminating, provided that
notice of such claim is served in lieu of the requested information. An action against
such person to require disclosure on the grounds that the claim of self-incrimination is not
substantiated may be brought in the superior court of the county of such party's residence
or where such information is located."
SECTION 18.
Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
organization and administration relative to emergency management, is amended in Code
Section 38-3-37, relating to prohibited actions by government official or employee during
declared state of emergency, by inserting "or" at the end of paragraph (2), replacing "; or"
at the end of paragraph (3) with a period, and by repealing paragraph (4) of subsection (b).
SECTION 19.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
House Bill 601, the Georgia Gun Safe Act of 2025, would tighten firearm sales, storage, and carry rules statewide, raise the minimum age for possession, create a firearm registry, and bar rehiring police officers fired for misconduct.
### Plain-language summary
Georgia law currently limits some gun sales to minors and has looser storage and carry rules than this bill proposes. House Bill 601 would raise the age at which a minor may possess a handgun or long gun from 18 to 16 in the base rule while adding detailed exceptions, and it would ban anyone under 21 from buying a firearm from a licensed dealer or gun show vendor. It creates a five-day waiting period for buyers under 27, requires background checks (NICS) for all gun show sales, and bans large capacity magazines (over 16 rounds) and 3D-printed firearms outright. It also creates a new Georgia Firearms Registry run by the Secretary of State that would track private sales, gifts, and transfers starting July 1, 2025, sets safe-storage rules for guns left in vehicles or homes accessible to children, extends school safety zones to 500 yards, shortens weapons carry licenses to one year while lowering the fee to $20, and temporarily bans sale of certain semiautomatic 'assault weapons' through January 1, 2036. Separately, it bars hiring or certifying as a peace officer anyone fired from a prior policing job for misconduct.
### What it does
- Raises the base age for possessing a handgun or long gun from under 18 to under 16 years old, while keeping listed exceptions such as hunting, target shooting, and parental supervision on private property.
- Bans purchase or transfer of firearms to anyone under 21 by licensed dealers, importers, manufacturers, or gun show vendors, and adds a five-day waiting period for buyers under 27.
- Creates the Georgia Firearms Registry, requiring anyone who buys, inherits, or receives a firearm in Georgia after July 1, 2025 to register it with the Secretary of State within 30 days.
- Bans possession of large capacity magazines (over 16 rounds) and 3D-printed firearms, and temporarily bans dealer sales of defined 'assault weapons' from July 1, 2025 through January 1, 2036.
- Sets new safe-storage requirements for firearms left in vehicles or in homes where a child could access them, and requires ammunition be stored separately from the firearm.
- Shortens weapons carry licenses from five years to one year, lowers the application fee from $30 to $20, and bars hiring or certifying peace officers who were fired for misconduct in a prior policing job.
### Who it affects
Gun owners and buyers of all ages, especially those under 27 and under 21, firearm dealers and gun show vendors, probate court judges who issue carry licenses, parents and legal guardians of minors, school districts near expanded safety zones, and law enforcement agencies that hire or certify peace officers.
### Why it matters
Georgians who buy, sell, store, or carry firearms would face new age limits, waiting periods, registration deadlines, and storage rules, while some gun models and high-capacity magazines would become illegal to possess. Police departments would also be barred from hiring officers previously fired for misconduct elsewhere.
### Key provisions
- Section 2 raises penalties for adults who sell or furnish handguns or long guns to minors and revises when parents may legally allow a minor to possess one.
- Section 3 makes it a five-year felony to print or produce a 3D-printed firearm in Georgia.
- Section 4 bans possession of large capacity magazines (over 16 rounds), defining exceptions for permanently altered devices and tubular lever-action magazines.
- Section 7 expands school safety zones to within 500 yards of school property, up from the prior boundary.
- Section 8 shortens weapons carry licenses to one year (from five) and lowers the fee to $20, with special renewal rules for active-duty service members.
- Section 12 establishes the Georgia Firearms Registry and requires registration of firearm purchases or transfers within 30 days after July 1, 2025, with escalating misdemeanor and felony penalties for noncompliance.
- Section 15 bars dealers from selling or transferring firearms to anyone under 21 and imposes a five-business-day waiting period for buyers under 27.
- Section 16 defines 'assault weapon' in detail and bans dealer sales of such weapons from July 1, 2025 through January 1, 2036.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2025-02-24)
- Last action: House Second Readers (2025-02-27)
- Sponsors: Derrick Jackson, Michelle Au, Billy Mitchell, Saira Draper, Gabriel Sanchez
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70727
> The history, votes, and amendments (129 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb601.md?full=1