---
title: SB 66. Crimes; persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of family violence from receiving, possessing, or transporting a firearm; prohibit
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sb66
cite_as: SB 66, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb66
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb66.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb66/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69754
date: 2025-02-03
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.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 95
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb66.md?full=1
bill_number: SB 66
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-01-30
last_action: Senate Read and Referred
sponsors:
- Elena Parent
- Harold Jones
- Kim Jackson
- Jason Esteves
- Nan Orrock
- Sonya Halpern
- Nikki Merritt
- Freddie Sims
- Michael Rhett
- Kenya Wicks
- Gail Davenport
- David Lucas
- Nabilah Islam Parkes
- Ed Harbison
- Tonya Anderson
- Josh McLaurin
- Derek Mallow
- RaShaun Kemp
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB66/2025
upstream_id: 1949661
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- gun control
- domestic violence
- family violence protective orders
- firearm possession law
- misdemeanor crimes
---
# SB 66. Crimes; persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of family violence from receiving, possessing, or transporting a firearm; prohibit
## Text
Senate Bill 66
By: Senators Parent of the 44th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Esteves of the 35th,
Orrock of the 36th and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Titles 16 and 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and
offenses and to domestic relations, respectively, so as to prohibit persons convicted of
misdemeanor crimes of family violence from receiving, possessing, or transporting a firearm
and to prohibit persons subject to family violence protective orders from receiving,
possessing, or transporting a firearm; to provide for definitions; to provide an effective date
and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and offenses, is
amended in Code Section 16-5-20, relating to simple assault, by revising subsection (e) as
follows:
"(e) Upon conviction of simple assault under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code
section, or, if the offense involves a firearm, under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this
Code section, that is committed between past or present spouses, persons who are parents
of the same child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster parents and
foster children, or other persons living or formerly living in the same household, the court
shall inform the offender orally and in writing that such offender is prohibited from
receiving, possessing, or transporting a firearm under subsection (b) of Code
Section 16-11-131, indicate such prohibition on the record of conviction, order such
offender orally and in writing to transfer any and all firearms in his or her possession or
control, and ensure transfer is made as provided under subsection (b.1) of Code Section
16-11-131 Reserved."
SECTION 2.
Said title is further amended in Code Section 16-5-23, relating to simple battery, by revising
subsection (g) as follows:
"(g) If the offense of simple battery is committed between past or present spouses, persons
who are parents of the same child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster
parents and foster children, or other persons living or formerly living in the same
household, the court, upon conviction, shall inform such offender orally and in writing that
the offender is prohibited from receiving, possessing, or transporting a firearm under
subsection (b) of Code Section 16-11-131, indicate such prohibition on the record of
conviction, order such offender orally and in writing to transfer any and all firearms in his
or her possession or control, and ensure transfer is made as provided under subsection (b.1)
of Code Section 16-11-131 Reserved."
SECTION 3.
Said title is further amended in Code Section 16-5-23.1, relating to battery, by adding a new
subsection to read as follows:
"(f.1) If the offense of battery is committed between past or present spouses, persons who
are parents of the same child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster
parents and foster children, or other persons living or formerly living in the same
household, the court, upon conviction, shall inform such offender orally and in writing that
such offender is prohibited from receiving, possessing, or transporting a firearm under
subsection (b) of Code Section 16-11-131, indicate such prohibition on the record of
conviction, order such offender orally and in writing to transfer any and all firearms in his
or her possession or control, and ensure transfer is made as provided under subsection (b.1)
of Code Section 16-11-131."
SECTION 4.
Said title is further amended by revising Code Section 16-11-102, relating to pointing or
aiming a gun or pistol at another, as follows:
"16-11-102.
(a) A person is guilty of a misdemeanor when he or she intentionally and without legal
justification points or aims a gun or pistol at another, whether the gun or pistol is loaded
or unloaded.
(b) If the offense of pointing or aiming a gun or pistol at another is committed between
past or present spouses, persons who are parents of the same child, parents and children,
stepparents and stepchildren, foster parents and foster children, or other persons living or
formerly living in the same household, the court, upon conviction, shall inform such
offender orally and in writing that such offender is prohibited from receiving, possessing,
or transporting a firearm under subsection (b) of Code Section 16-11-131, indicate the
prohibition on the record of conviction, order such offender orally and in writing to transfer
any and all firearms in his or her possession or control, and ensure transfer is made as
provided under subsection (b.1) of Code Section 16-11-131."
SECTION 5.
Said title is further amended in Code Section 16-11-131, relating to possession of firearms
by convicted felons and first offender probationers, by revising subsections (a), (b), and (b.1)
and by adding a new subsection to read as follows:
"16-11-131.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Family violence protective order' means an order issued under Code Section 19-13-4
or an equivalent order in this state or elsewhere that was issued after the restrained person
received notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard.
(1)(2) 'Felony' means any offense punishable by imprisonment for a term of one year or
more and includes conviction by a court-martial under the Uniform Code of Military
Justice for an offense which would constitute a felony under the laws of the United
States.
(2)(3) 'Firearm' includes any a handgun, rifle, shotgun, or other weapon which will or
can be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or electrical charge.
(4) 'Misdemeanor crime of family violence' means any offense provided for under Code
Section 16-5-20, 16-5-23, 16-5-23.1, or 16-11-102 that:
(A) Is committed between past or present spouses, persons who are parents of the same
child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster parents and foster
children, or other persons living in or formerly living in the same household; and
(B) Involves the use or attempted use of physical force or the use or threatened use of
a firearm.
(b) Any person who is on probation as a felony first offender pursuant to Article 3 of
Chapter 8 of Title 42, who is on probation and was sentenced for a felony under
subsection (a) or (c) of Code Section 16-13-2, or who is subject to a family violence
protective order, or who has been convicted of a misdemeanor offense of family violence,
or a felony by a court of this state or any other state; by a court of the United States
including its territories, possessions, and dominions; or by a court of any foreign nation and
who receives, possesses, or transports any a firearm commits a felony and, upon conviction
thereof, shall be imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than ten years; provided,
however, that upon a second or subsequent conviction, such person shall be imprisoned for
not less than five nor more than ten years; provided, further, that if the felony for which the
person is on probation or has been previously convicted is a forcible felony, then upon
conviction of receiving, possessing, or transporting a firearm, such person shall be
imprisoned for a period of five years.
(b.1)(1) Upon entering a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of family violence, a court
shall immediately:
(A) Inform such offender orally and in writing that, pursuant to subsection (b) of this
Code section, the offender shall not receive, possess, or transport any firearm;
(B) Order such offender orally and in writing to surrender all firearms in the offender's
possession, within 24 hours of the order to a federally licensed firearms dealer;
(C) Provide such offender the opportunity to attest orally and in writing that he or she
at the time of the conviction, has no firearms in his or her possession or control; and
(D) If such offender does not attest orally and in writing as provided in
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, schedule a hearing to occur within 72 hours, during
which time the offender shall either:
(i) Present a receipt showing that any firearms in the offender's possession or control
at the time of conviction were physically surrendered to a federally licensed firearms
dealer and attest orally and in writing that such firearms have been physically
surrendered to a federally licensed firearms dealer and that the offender, at the time
of the hearing, has no firearms in the offender's possession or control; or
(ii) Attest orally and in writing that the offender, at the time of the conviction, had
no firearms in his or her possession or control and, at the time of the hearing, has no
firearm in his or her possession or control.
(2) An offender transporting a firearm to surrender in accordance with this subsection
shall not be subject to prosecution under subsection (b) of this Code section.
(b.2) Any person who is prohibited by this Code section from possessing a firearm because
of conviction of a forcible felony or because of being on probation as a first offender or
under conditional discharge for a forcible felony and who attempts to purchase or obtain
transfer of a firearm shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be punished by
imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years; provided, however, that
upon a second or subsequent conviction, such person shall be punished by imprisonment
for not less than five nor more than ten years."
SECTION 6.
Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to domestic relations, is
amended in Code Section 19-13-4, relating to family violence protective orders and consent
agreements, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:
"(a.1)(1) An order issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section that was granted
after notice was provided to the respondent and after such respondent was given an
opportunity to be heard shall prohibit such respondent from receiving, possessing, or
transporting a firearm. Upon issuance of such an order a court shall immediately:
(A) Inform such respondent in writing that, pursuant to subsection (b) of Code
Section 16-11-131, the offender shall not receive, possess, or transport a firearm;
(B) Order such respondent in writing to surrender all firearms in his or her possession
within 24 hours of the order to a federally licensed firearms dealer;
(C) If such respondent is present at the time the order is issued, provide him or her the
opportunity to attest orally and in writing that her or she, at the time of the issuance of
the protective order, has no firearms in his or her possession or control; and
(D) If such respondent does not attest orally and in writing as provided in
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, schedule a hearing to occur within 72 hours, during
which time the respondent shall either:
(i) Present a receipt showing that a firearm in his or her possession or control at the
time the order was issued was physically surrendered to a federally licensed firearms
dealer and attest orally and in writing that a firearm in the respondent's possession or
control at the time the protective order was issued has been physically surrendered to
a federally licensed firearms dealer and that the respondent, at the time of the hearing,
has no firearm in his or her possession or control; or
(ii) Attest orally and in writing that the respondent, at the time the protective order
was issued, had no firearm in his or her possession or control and, at the time of the
hearing, has no firearm in his or her possession or control.
(2) A respondent transporting a firearm to surrender in accordance with this subsection
shall not be subject to prosecution under subsection (b) of Code Section 16-11-131."
SECTION 7.
This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2025, and shall apply to any conviction or
protective order issued on or after such date.
SECTION 8.
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.
A Georgia Senate bill would bar people convicted of misdemeanor family violence crimes or subject to family violence protective orders from possessing firearms, and require courts to order surrender of any guns they already have.
### Plain-language summary
Currently, Georgia law bars convicted felons and certain felony probationers from having firearms, but people convicted only of misdemeanor family violence offenses, such as simple assault or simple battery against a spouse or household member, are not automatically barred. This bill changes that by amending Georgia's firearms possession law (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-131) to add a new category, 'misdemeanor crime of family violence,' covering simple assault, simple battery, battery, and pointing or aiming a gun at another when committed against a spouse, co-parent, child, stepfamily member, foster family member, or household member.
Under the bill, anyone convicted of such a misdemeanor, or subject to a family violence protective order issued after notice and a hearing, could not receive, possess, or transport a firearm. Courts would have to tell offenders in writing, order them to surrender firearms to a licensed dealer within 24 hours, and hold a hearing within 72 hours if they do not attest they have no firearms. The changes would take effect July 1, 2025, and apply to convictions or protective orders issued on or after that date.
### What it does
- Creates a new legal category of 'misdemeanor crime of family violence' covering simple assault, simple battery, battery, and pointing or aiming a gun when committed against a spouse, co-parent, child, or household member.
- Bars anyone convicted of such a misdemeanor, or subject to a family violence protective order, from receiving, possessing, or transporting a firearm under Georgia's felon firearm possession law (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-131).
- Requires courts to inform offenders orally and in writing of the firearm ban and to order them to surrender any firearms to a federally licensed dealer within 24 hours of conviction or the protective order.
- Requires a hearing within 72 hours if an offender or respondent does not attest in writing that they have no firearms in their possession.
- Exempts a person from prosecution for illegally transporting a firearm if they are transporting it specifically to surrender it as required.
- Sets the law to take effect July 1, 2025, applying only to convictions or protective orders issued on or after that date.
### Who it affects
People convicted of misdemeanor family violence offenses such as simple assault or battery against a spouse, co-parent, child, or household member; people subject to family violence protective orders; judges who must issue firearm surrender orders; federally licensed firearms dealers who receive surrendered weapons; and law enforcement enforcing the new possession ban.
### Why it matters
People with misdemeanor family violence convictions or protective orders against them would lose the legal right to have a gun, and would face felony charges for illegal possession, closing a gap where only felony convictions previously triggered a firearm ban. Courts would gain new duties to track and enforce firearm surrender.
### Key provisions
- Section 5 amends O.C.G.A. § 16-11-131 to add 'family violence protective order' and 'misdemeanor crime of family violence' as new defined terms triggering the firearm ban.
- Section 5 also expands subsection (b) so that people convicted of a qualifying misdemeanor or subject to a protective order who possess a firearm commit a felony punishable by one to ten years in prison.
- Sections 1 through 4 require courts, upon convicting someone of simple assault, simple battery, battery, or pointing a gun at a family or household member, to inform them of the firearm ban and order surrender of firearms.
- New subsection (b.1) in Section 5 requires courts to order firearm surrender within 24 hours and hold a hearing within 72 hours if the offender does not attest to having no firearms.
- Section 6 amends Georgia's family violence protective order law (O.C.G.A. § 19-13-4) to impose the same firearm ban and surrender process on people subject to such orders.
- Section 7 sets the effective date as July 1, 2025, applying only to convictions or protective orders issued on or after that date.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2025-01-30)
- Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2025-02-03)
- Sponsors: Elena Parent, Harold Jones, Kim Jackson, Jason Esteves, Nan Orrock, Sonya Halpern, Nikki Merritt, Freddie Sims, Michael Rhett, Kenya Wicks, Gail Davenport, David Lucas, Nabilah Islam Parkes, Ed Harbison, Tonya Anderson, Josh McLaurin, Derek Mallow, RaShaun Kemp
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69754
> The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb66.md?full=1