After a little more than an hour of debate, a Georgia Senate panel voted to approve legislation that would allow Georgians to carry a concealed handgun without first getting a license from the state.
Senate Bill 319 would allow a “lawful weapons carrier” to carry a concealed handgun everywhere license holders currently are allowed — meaning guns will still be prohibited in places such as the secured areas of airports or government buildings that have security at the entrance, including the state Capitol. A lawful weapons carrier is defined as anyone who is now lawfully allowed to have a gun.
Those who have prior drug convictions, have been convicted of a felony or facing felony charges, have been treated for mental health issues or substance abuse issues within the past five years, or have been involuntarily committed to a mental health hospital will still be prohibited from purchasing and possessing handguns.
The bill’s sponsor, Dallas Republican state Sen. Jason Anavitarte, said he filed the bill to grant Georgians greater access to their legal right to own and carry guns.
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