---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-11-125.1. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 16-11-125.1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-11-125.1 (2025)
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md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-11-125.1.md
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date: 2025
status: active
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current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMES AND OFFENSES / OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY / DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTALITIES AND PRACTICES / CARRYING AND POSSESSION OF FIREARMS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-11-125.1. Definitions.

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” 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” 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.

## History

Code 1981, § 16-11-125.1, enacted by Ga. L. 2010, p. 963, § 1-1/SB 308; Ga. L. 2017, p. 555, § 3/HB 292; Ga. L. 2018, p. 1112, § 16/SB 365; Ga. L. 2022, p. 74, § 4/SB 319.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2022, p. 74, § 1/SB 319, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “This Act shall be known and may be cited as the ‘Chairman John Meadows Act.’”

Ga. L. 2022, p. 74, § 2/SB 319, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “The General Assembly finds and determines that:

“(1) The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution recognizes the right of the people to keep and bear arms and that such right shall not be infringed; and

“(2) The people of this state, to perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizen and of the family, and transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty, provided that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed but that the General Assembly shall have power to prescribe the manner in which arms may be borne.”

## Law Reviews

For article, “SB 319: Chairman John Meadows Act,” see 39 Georgia St. U.L. Rev. 1 (2022).

## Amendments

The 2022 amendment, effective April 12, 2022, added paragraph (2.1).