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New resident purchasing handgun on arrival in state?

13862 Views 20 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  Nemo
Hi - I am moving to Georgia and buying a home in the state within the next couple months. I do not currently own a firearm. From my reading of Georgia law, for all intent and purposes, to purchase a handgun from a licensed dealer will require me to have a Georgia Driver's license as proof of residency. I would like to purchase a gun within a couple days of of my arrival in the state but it doesn't appear I would be able through a licensed dealer until I receive my permanent driver's license. From federal ATF website "For Gun Control Act (GCA) purposes, a person is a resident of a State in which he or she is present with the intention of making a home in that State." So I am a "resident" when I move into my new house and should legally be able to purchase and own a firearm (but not concealed carry). Should I be able to purchase a handgun from a private party prior to getting my new driver's license? Or would the temporary license they issue at the DMV while you wait for your permanent to be mailed to you suffice for a license dealer? Thanks
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Welcome to the forum.

A temporary drivers license to be shown in a gun store in GA (I sell guns at a local FFL gun store in Smyrna) is a perfectly valid license, for the purpose of completing a 4473 and purchasing a firearm. You won't have to wait until the permanent DL is mailed to you.

As to buying a gun from a private person, sure, you could do that. I personally would ask for a DL and a carry license, if I were selling to someone. But there are lots of folks who will not be that careful.
If you already bought or rented a home, that lease or sales contract should be all the documentation you need to show you DID establish your new residency here. That gets you your driver's license. That should also get you your GFL. Some probate courts say (or used to say) that you had to be a resident at least 60 or 90 days and show residency going back that far, but that's not the law, and GeorgiaCarry.Org is likely to sue them if they deny a new resident a GWL due to the Court artificially imposing a waiting period to get a GWL when somebody is fully qualified per the law.
Let me guess, you are fleeing a non-free state that won't let you buy a gun there?
He could be from Pa outside of Philly. Or more of a central area yankee. And realized the error of his ways after deciding to come South.

Nemo
Let me guess, you are fleeing a non-free state that won't let you buy a gun there?
I fleeing the outrageous home prices, property taxes, weather.... being able to exercise my constitutional right to bear arms without hassle is an added perk.
Based on posts above, I will get my Driver's license as soon as I am moved in, and use the temporary to purchase from a licensed dealer and apply for my GFL at my probate court. Will post a summary of what I experienced in a few months (and if you don't see a reply from me at that point feel free to PM or proactively ask for it).

Thanks
Which county in Georgia do you plan to live in?
What state are you coming from? Depending on which one, we might need to do a background check on you first. :shattered:
Yeah, we need some details on you. You do realize it takes living below the line for about 20-25 years before you begin to be thought of as not still a yankee.

If you need to ask what line you are nowhere near the start.

Do you chew?

Nemo 8)
I fleeing the outrageous home prices, property taxes, weather.... being able to exercise my constitutional right to bear arms without hassle is an added perk.
Funny how all of that comes as a package deal.
Based on posts above, I will get my Driver's license as soon as I am moved in, and use the temporary to purchase from a licensed dealer and apply for my GFL at my probate court. Will post a summary of what I experienced in a few months (and if you don't see a reply from me at that point feel free to PM or proactively ask for it).

Thanks
You don't necessarily need a drivers license. You can use your out of state drivers license and any other government issued document with your GA address on it to prove your residency.
Yeah, we need some details on you. You do realize it takes living below the line for about 20-25 years before you begin to be thought of as not still a yankee.

Nemo 8)
Nope you will still be a Yankee and your kids will be Yankees Just because your cat gives birth in the oven you don't call the babies biscuits. :smile:

Really I could care less where you come from.
You don't necessarily need a drivers license. You can use your out of state drivers license and any other government issued document with your GA address on it to prove your residency.
The easiest path to buy from an FFL, is a DL with valid address. An FFL dealer in GA can't sell a handgun to someone unless they had a GA DL or state identification card. It must be a GA government issued photo ID with correct, non PO box address. The only way to get around this, is someone in the military, on PCS orders stationed in GA.

What you refer to, is if you have a GA ID, but incorrect address due to a move. Then, we can use another government issued document, like a W2 or car tag or hunting/fishing license, if it does have the correct address.
Nope you will still be a Yankee and your kids will be Yankees Just because your cat gives birth in the oven you don't call the babies biscuits. :smile:

Really I could care less where you come from.
Maybe you should begin to care less. You state you can.

Has me wondering, you a yankee?

Nemo
Hi - I am moving to Georgia
Welcome to the South. :righton:
Yeah, we need some details on you. You do realize it takes living below the line for about 20-25 years before you begin to be thought of as not still a yankee.

If you need to ask what line you are nowhere near the start.

Do you chew?

Nemo 8)
Do you mean the gnat line? Or are you being generous & allowing I-20 as the line?
Mason Dixon.

Nemo
I moved my family here from Michigan in 2010.
A couple years ago, my (then) 11 yr old daughter was talking to my son about a picture he was drawing.
I said to her; " You know what? All of the kids in this area probably grew up and went to school down here and learned to draw down here. Your brother learned to draw up north. Therefore, anything he draws will always be a 'Yankee Doodle' "
She didn't say a word. She just walked over and smacked me in the face. :)
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