[MacPointMan]

Hello everyone. New to the board and just purchased my first Handgun while Home from Iraq on R&R. I am a military member on active duty right now but will be returning to Drilling reserve status early next year.

I was not able to apply for my Concealed Carry Permit while I was home on R&R. I did open carry and felt much more comfortable with my weapon rather than without. Granted I have carried my M16A2 rifle every day for the past year. Having a weapon with me is just second nature. I had no issues the times that I was carrying my weapon.

My question is about a Georgia Firearms Lisence. My understanding is that you have to have a Lisence to Own a firearm in the state of Georgia but you have to have a concealed carry permit to conceal your weapon while carrying. I am a bit confused about all of this. If you need a georgia firearms lisence to open carry how do you get one. I know how to apply for a Concealed Carry Permit or are they one and the same. By legally owning a weapon does that mean you can open carry?

I have also read the Georgia Code reguarding carrying a weapon and concealing one. In it it states that military members are exempt from the codes. I am in the Reserve. I drill every month and have several Police Officers in my unit. I have asked a couple of them about it and they have both told me that basically "You need a lisence or you are going to be charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon."

I along with another fellow soldier am planning on applying for the Clayton County Police Department when we get off of active duty. I however do not want to get picked up for breaking the law while in the process.

Thank you in advance for any insite on this issue. God save and protect our 2nd amendment rights.

SGT Mac

 

[ptsmith24]

I replied to your post in the other thread you posted about this. Hope it helps and other members will chime in eventually, I'm sure.

http://www.georgiapacking.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=45041#45041

Welcome, by the way. :welcome:

You'll enjoy it here.

 

[MacPointMan]

Thanks a bunch I wasnt sure where to post so I wanted to address it again. Hope I wasn't causing too much trouble.

SGT Mac

 

[ptsmith24]

Thanks a bunch I wasnt sure where to post so I wanted to address it again. Hope I wasn't causing too much trouble.

SGT Mac

No, you weren't causing trouble. You're questions should be answered one way or another eventually. Feel free to ask anything on here. There are many debates that go on and many questions that get answered. So, ask away. 8)

 

[legacy38]

Howdy.

 

[Rammstein]

My understanding is that you have to have a Lisence to Own a firearm in the state of Georgia but you have to have a concealed carry permit to conceal your weapon while carrying.

That was probably a typo but, there is no license to own a firearm in Georgia; nor is their a concealed carry permit. Georgia has what is called a Georgia Firearms License (GFL) which permits an individual to openly or concealed carry a firearm on his person in addition to permitting said person to keep a loaded firearm anywhere in their vehicle.

By legally owning a weapon does that mean you can open carry?

A GFL is needed to open carry.

In it it states that military members are exempt from the codes. I am in the Reserve. I drill every month and have several Police Officers in my unit. I have asked a couple of them about it and they have both told me that basically "You need a lisence or you are going to be charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon."

Those officers are incorrect. Probably because they have not read OCGA 16-11-130 and/or u97-13 as it should provide any officer with a clear and unmistakable understanding of the law.

 

[Rammstein]

By the way, Welcome to GPDO MacPointMan!

 

[merlock]

Welcome home, SGT MAc!!! :wave:
And, THANK YOU for your service to our country! :righton: =D> :cheers:

 

[GAGunOwner]

.

 

[MacPointMan]

Thank you

This helps out a lot. While my friend and I purchased our weapons Me the Smith and Wesson M&P 45 and him the 40 at Georgia Ammo Range and guns in Forrest Park the salesman had mine in stock and had to order my friends. The personnel at the shop were quite friendly knowledgeable and helpful. Our experience was excellent and they will see continued business from us.

My friend is prior service Army and an OIF veteran himself. When he went to pick his weapon up he was asked if he had a Concealed Carry Permit and the agent helping us stated that he needed to apply for one as soon as possible. He did not mention anything to me as I used my military ID and orders to purchase my weapon. I had left my Drivers License in Iraq. I did not further inquire about this line of questioning. But this may explain his actions.

I do plan on applying for my GFL as soon as I return to the states for those same reasons. I do not want to end up in the clink because some police officer was uninformed. I understand the not all police officers know all the laws but they should know them when it comes to firearms.

If I do get accepted into the Clayton County Police Department I will be cognizant of these issues and pass along the knowledge to my fellow officers. Though I will be a rookie cop I hope to be a respected one.

Thanks again

SGT Mac

 

[Wiley]

Even though you may legaly carry using your military ID, I would very quietly check with your Command for any regs promlogated on the subject. In Alaska there was an order prohibiting Military from carrying even though no licence is required by the State to carry.

 

[ptsmith24]

IMO, it would be best to get the GFL so that you're covered in the case of the uninformed officer, etc.

 

[Axeman]

:welcome:

Thanks for serving, and keep safe. :righton:

Don't forget to join http://www.georgiacarry.org

 

[EOD]

Welcome and in the future when buying weapons since you are already going to Forest Park I would suggest you check out On the Sqare Gun & Pawn. They have a great selection and you can haggle a little for a deal.

 

[GAGunOwner]

.

 

[GeorgiaGlocker]

:welcome:

 

[Adam5]

:welcome: to GDPO!! I'm surprised that noone has put in a shameless plug for www.georgiacarry.orgyet, so I will.

 

[tony218]

Welcome and in the future when buying weapons since you are already going to Forest Park I would suggest you check out On the Sqare Gun & Pawn. They have a great selection and you can haggle a little for a deal.

where is this pawn shop?

 

[Sharky]

hello and welcome aboard

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

I have also read the Georgia Code reguarding carrying a weapon and concealing one. In it it states that military members are exempt from the codes. I am in the Reserve. I drill every month and have several Police Officers in my unit. I have asked a couple of them about it . . .

Well, you started out well, reading the code, but then you had to go and make a huge mistake. My advice is never to ask a police officer about firearms laws. By and large my experience is that they are more ignorant than your average gun enthusiast.

I am a former LEO, and there are others lurking about here that will confirm my statement.

My guess is that the officers to whom you spoke have never even bothered to read O.C.G.A. 16-11-130 in its entirely. While I am sure they mean well, I would look for a more reliable source of information.