and has not been free of all restraint or supervision in connection therewith and free of any other conviction for at least five years immediately preceding the date of the application;
for at least five years immediately preceding the date of the application;
(b.1)Petitions for relief from certain licensing exceptions.
At the hearing provided for under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the court shall receive and consider evidence in a closed proceeding concerning:
Persons provided for under subparagraphs (b)(2)(J), (b)(2)(K), and (b)(2)(L) of this Code section may petition the court in which such adjudication, hospitalization, or treatment proceedings, if any, under Chapter 3 or 7 of Title 37 occurred for relief. A copy of such petition for relief shall be served as notice upon the opposing civil party or the prosecuting attorney for the state, as the case may be, or their successors, who appeared in the underlying case. Within 30 days of the receipt of such petition, such court shall hold a hearing on such petition for relief. Such prosecuting attorney for the state may represent the interests of the state at such hearing.
The judge shall issue an order of his or her decision no later than 30 days after the hearing.
retired or left such employment in good standing with a state or federal certifying agency and receives benefits under the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund provided for under Chapter 17 of Title 47 or from a county, municipal, State of Georgia, state authority, federal, private sector, individual, or educational institution retirement system or program shall be entitled to be issued a weapons carry license as provided for in this Code section without the payment of any of the fees provided for in this Code section.
(a.1)Gun safety information.
Upon receipt of an application for a weapons carry license or renewal license, the judge of the probate court may provide applicants printed information on gun safety that is produced by any person or organization that, in the discretion of the judge of the probate court, offers practical advice for gun safety. The source of such printed information shall be prominently displayed on such printed information.
The Department of Natural Resources shall maintain on its principal, public website information, or a hyperlink to information, which provides resources for information on hunter education and classes and courses in this state that render instruction in gun safety. No person shall be required to take such classes or courses for purposes of this Code section where such information shall be provided solely for the convenience of the citizens of this state.
Neither the judge of the probate court nor the Department of Natural Resources shall be liable to any person for personal injuries or damage to property arising from conformance to this subsection.
(Ga. L. 1910, p. 134, §§ 2, 3; Code 1933, §§ 26-5104, 26-5105; Ga. L. 1960, p. 938, § 1; Code 1933, § 26-2904, enacted by Ga. L. 1968, p. 1249, § 1; Ga. L. 1976, p. 1430, § 4; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1607, §§ 1, 2; Ga. L. 1981, p. 946, § 1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 1325, § 1; Ga. L. 1983, p. 1431, § 1; Ga. L. 1984, p. 935, § 1; Ga. L. 1984, p. 1388, § 1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 305, § 1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 481, §§ 1, 2; Ga. L. 1990, p. 138, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 2012, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 6, § 16; Ga. L. 1994, p. 351, § 1; Ga. L. 1996, p. 108, §§ 3-5; Ga. L. 1997, p. 514, § 2; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1011, § 2; Ga. L. 2006, p. 264, § 1/HB 1032; Ga. L. 2008, p. 1199, § 6/HB 89; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 3-2/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 963, § 1-7/SB 308; Ga. L. 2011, p. 752, § 16/HB 142; Ga. L. 2014, p. 599, § 1-7/HB 60; Ga. L. 2015, p. 805, § 6/HB 492; Ga. L. 2016, p. 864, § 16/HB 737; Ga. L. 2017, p. 509, § 1/SB 15; Ga. L. 2017, p. 555, § 6/HB 292; Ga. L. 2018, p. 1112, § 16/SB 365; Ga. L. 2019, p. 275, § 1/HB 33; Ga. L. 2019, p. 808, § 7/SB 72.)
The 2016 amendment, effective May 3, 2016, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, substituted "subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection" for "subparagraph (d)(1)(B) of this subsection" in the middle of paragraph (d)(2).
The 2017 amendments. The first 2017 amendment, effective July 1, 2017, substituted the present provisions of subsection (h) for the former provisions, which read: "Except as otherwise provided in Code Section 16-11-130, any person who has served as a law enforcement officer for at least ten of the 12 years immediately preceding the retirement of such person as a law enforcement officer shall be entitled to be issued a weapons carry license as provided for in this Code section without the payment of any of the fees provided for in this Code section. Such person shall comply with all the other provisions of this Code section relative to the issuance of such licenses. As used in this subsection, the term 'law enforcement officer' means any peace officer who is employed by the United States government or by the State of Georgia or any political subdivision thereof and who is required by the terms of his or her employment, whether by election or appointment, to give his or her full time to the preservation of public order or the protection of life and property or the prevention of crime. Such term shall include conservation rangers." The second 2017 amendment, effective May 8, 2017, added subsection (a.1); in paragraph (d)(4), substituted "20 days" for "30 days" near the middle of the first sentence, and added the last sentence; in paragraph (e)(2), substituted "otherwise adjudicated in a matter" for "involved in any matter" near the beginning of the first sentence; and added paragraph (e)(4).
The 2018 amendment, effective May 8, 2018, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, revised the designations in subsections (f) and (h).
The 2019 amendments. The first 2019 amendment, effective July 1, 2019, rewrote subsection (a). The second 2019 amendment, effective July 1, 2019, substituted "game wardens" for "conservation rangers" at the end of the second sentence in paragraph (h)(3).
Cross references.- Bail recovery agents, § 17-6-56 et seq.
Exemption from section for private detectives and private security agents who hold firearms permits issued by Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies, § 43-38-10.
Inquiry regarding weapons carry license, Uniform Rules for the Superior Court of Georgia, Rule 48.
For application of this statute in 2020, see Executive Orders 05.08.20.01, 07.31.20.02, and 08.31.20.02.
A listing of Executive Orders issued in 2020 can be found at https://gov.georgia.gov/executive-action/executive-orders/2020-executive-orders.
Ga. L. 2008, p. 1199, § 1/HB 89, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: "This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Business Security and Employee Privacy Act.' "
Ga. L. 2010, p. 963, § 3-1/SB 308, not codified by the General Assembly, provides, in part, that the amendment of this Code section shall apply to all offenses committed on and after June 4, 2010, and shall not affect any prosecutions for acts occurring before June 4, 2010, and shall not act as an abatement of any such prosecution.
Ga. L. 2014, p. 599, § 1-1/HB 60, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Safe Carry Protection Act.'"
Ga. L. 2015, p. 805, § 6/HB 492, which amended this Code section, purported to amend subparagraph (b)(2)(A) but no changes were made, and also purported to amend paragraph (d)(1) but actually amended both paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2).
Ga. L. 2017, p. 555, § 1/HB 292, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: "The General Assembly finds that:
"(1) The ownership of firearms is a clear and explicit right protected by the United States Constitution and the Constitution of this state;
"(2) Access to financial services provides for the functioning of a firearms industry and, thus, the constitutionally protected right of firearm ownership; and
"(3) The provisions of this Act are intended to implement the constitutional protections provided for under the law."
Law reviews.- For article recommending more consistency in age requirements of laws pertaining to the welfare of minors, see 6 Ga. St. B.J. 189 (1969). For article, "Crimes and Offenses," see 27 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 131 (2011). For annual survey on wills, trusts, guardianships, and fiduciary administration, see 65 Mercer L. Rev. 295 (2013). For article on the 2014 amendment of this Code section, see 31 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 47 (2014). For annual survey on criminal law, see 68 Mercer L. Rev. 93 (2016). For note on the 1994 amendment of this Code section, see 11 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 124 (1994). For review of 1996 offenses against public order and safety legislation, see 13 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 123 (1996). For comment on Johnson v. Wright, 509 F.2d 828 (5th Cir. 1975), see 27 Mercer L. Rev. 1207 (1976).
JUDICIAL DECISIONS
Legislative intent behind 1976 amendment (Ga. L. 1976, pp. 1430, 1433) was to require, after July 1, 1976, that any information as to identification of a weapon be treated as "nonpertinent and irrelevant." Holtzendorf v. State, 146 Ga. App. 823, 247 S.E.2d 599 (1978).
Intent of 1976 amendment to former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129) was that section not require registration of firearms until former licenses expired. Holtzendorf v. State, 146 Ga. App. 823, 247 S.E.2d 599 (1978).
There is no conflict between former Code 1933, §§ 26-2902 and 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127 and O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129). Byrdsong v. State, 245 Ga. 336, 265 S.E.2d 15 (1980).
Paragraph (b)(3) superseded.
- Clear impact of O.C.G.A. § 16-11-131(b) and (c) is to implicitly repeal O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129(b)(3). Fain v. State, 259 Ga. 708, 386 S.E.2d 144 (1989).
Provision in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129(b)(4) that probate court can require applicants to sign a waiver authorizing mental hospitals and drug and alcohol treatment centers to inform court whether applicant had been an inpatient within the past five years is allowed because the court needs these facts in order to make an informed decision to grant or deny applicant a license to carry a gun. Propst v. McCurry, 252 Ga. 56, 310 S.E.2d 914 (1984).
Statute not unconstitutional.
- O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129, which regulated the ability of citizens to carry a weapon in public, was justified by the goal to protect the safety of individuals who are in public places, which was a legitimate and compelling government interest. The statute was not unconstitutional as applied to an applicant who pled nolo contendre to violent felonies in Florida more than 20 years earlier, under either U.S. Const., amend. II or Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. VIII. Hertz v. Bennett, 294 Ga. 62, 751 S.E.2d 90 (2013).
Controlling law.
- Trial court properly granted the defendant's motion to dismiss the complaint, seeking a judgment declaring that it was not a crime for a person with a weapons carry license to carry a firearm within a school safety zone, because the language of the house bill at issue, codified in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1, was controlling law and prohibited such conduct. GeorgiaCarry.Org, Inc. v. Code Revision Commission, 299 Ga. 896, 793 S.E.2d 35 (2016).
Organization lacked standing.
- Because an applicant's claim was moot since the applicant received a new weapons license and an organization lacked standing, it was incumbent upon the trial court to enter an order dismissing the organization's claims instead of granting the organization summary judgment. GeorgiaCarry.Org, Inc. v. James, 298 Ga. 420, 782 S.E.2d 284 (2016).
Suit challenging carrying a weapon in a school safety zone properly dismissed.
- Trial court properly dismissed the plaintiff's suit challenging the enforcement of O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1(b)(1), making it a crime to carry a firearm in a school safety zone, by the school that the plaintiff's child attended because the school had sovereign immunity against state law claims and the threat of arrest if the plaintiff brought a weapon in the school safety zone did not constitute a Fourth Amendment violation to be remedied by the suit. Evans v. Gwinnett County Public Schools, 337 Ga. App. 690, 788 S.E.2d 577 (2016).
Mandamus for weapons carry license.
- Superior court did not err by granting appellee a writ of mandamus and directing appellant judge to issue appellee a Georgia weapons carry license because appellee properly brought the mandamus action following the denial of the application and the appellee was not required to request a hearing with a probate judge before pursuing the extraordinary remedy of mandamus as the plain language of O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129 authorized an applicant to file a mandamus action as a first response. Bordeaux v. Hise, 355 Ga. App. 688, 845 S.E.2d 408 (2020).
Burden of proof.
- Defendant charged with carrying a concealed weapon has the burden of proving that defendant had a valid permit authorizing defendant to carry a handgun in a motor vehicle. London v. State, 235 Ga. App. 30, 508 S.E.2d 247 (1998).
First offender prohibited from obtaining permit.
- Provision of O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129(b), prohibiting the granting of a pistol permit to a person convicted as a first offender for possession of a controlled substance, applied prospectively to an applicant who had been discharged as a first offender five years before enactment of the provision. Foss v. Probate Court of Chatham County, 232 Ga. App. 612, 502 S.E.2d 278 (1998).
License issued by probate court of county of former residence does not satisfy requirements. Asberry v. State, 142 Ga. App. 51, 234 S.E.2d 847 (1977).
Possession of license under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129 did not dispense with municipal ordinance requirement that a certificate be obtained prior to the sale of a handgun. Montgomery Ward & Co. v. Cooper, 177 Ga. App. 540, 339 S.E.2d 755 (1986).
Nonpertinent or irrelevant information.
- When plaintiff gun permit applicant's complaint alleged that to apply for a Georgia Firearms License, the applicant had to supply the applicant's employment information in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129 because the applicant's employment information was nonpertinent or irrelevant under § 16-11-129(a), dismissing that claim as moot after a temporary restraining order (TRO) required defendant agency official to process the application without the applicant's social security number, was error; the state law claim for prospective relief - enjoining the official from requiring employment information - was not moot. Camp v. Cason, F.3d (11th Cir. Mar. 23, 2007)(Unpublished).
Evidence of bad character.
- Gun ownership, and carrying such a weapon, do not by themselves impute bad character. Gomillion v. State, 236 Ga. App. 14, 512 S.E.2d 640 (1999).
Right to weapons carry license restored.
- When the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles restored "all" of the applicant's civil rights and removed "all" disabilities imposed on the applicant by Georgia law, it was apparent that the applicant regained any right to keep and bear arms that the applicant had lost as a result of a felony moonshining conviction, and the applicant was not subject to the disabilities to obtain a weapons carry license and possess firearms that otherwise would have applied to the applicant under O.C.G.A. §§ 16-11-129 and16-11-131(b). Ferguson v. Perry, 292 Ga. 666, 740 S.E.2d 598 (2013).
After 18-year-old defendant admitted possession, the evidence was sufficient to convict defendant of carrying a pistol without a license since no license to carry a pistol can be issued to any person under 21 years of age. Waugh v. State, 218 Ga. App. 301, 460 S.E.2d 871 (1995).
Sovereign immunity barred suit brought by organization.
- Trial court did not err in finding that sovereign immunity barred the appellants' request for declaratory relief against a judge in the judge's official capacity because the trial court made no finding about whether the appellants' request for a writ of mandamus would be barred by sovereign immunity as the court dismissed the mandamus claims as moot and the entire action asserted by the open carry organization since the entity lacked standing to bring that action. GeorgiaCarry.Org, Inc. v. Bordeaux, 352 Ga. App. 399, 834 S.E.2d 896 (2019).
Suit against judge in individual capacity for failing to timely process license.
- Trial court erred in holding that there was no claim against a judge in the judge's individual capacity because the appellants alleged that by failing to process weapons carry licenses within the time allowed by law, the judge violated O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129(d)(4) and the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that when state officers or agents are sued personally, the suit was generally maintainable for acts done in violation of a statute. GeorgiaCarry.Org, Inc. v. Bordeaux, 352 Ga. App. 399, 834 S.E.2d 896 (2019).
Discretion of probate judge.
- Because a probate court may only issue a Georgia firearms license if no disqualifying or derogatory information is discovered as a result of background checks conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, or the U.S. Bureau of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the 60-day period for issuing a license under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129(d)(4) is extended by the statute itself when necessary to accommodate any delays that reasonably may be attributed to the investigative process. Moore v. Cranford, 285 Ga. App. 666, 647 S.E.2d 295 (2007), cert. denied, 2007 Ga. LEXIS 706 (Ga. 2007).
Cited in Coleman v. State, 163 Ga. App. 173, 293 S.E.2d 395 (1982); Luke v. State, 178 Ga. App. 614, 344 S.E.2d 452 (1986); Moore v. Nelson, 394 F. Supp. 2d 1365 (M.D. Ga. 2005); Moore v. State, 286 Ga. App. 313, 649 S.E.2d 337 (2007); GeorgiaCarry.Org, Inc. v. Atlanta Botanical Garden, Inc., 306 Ga. 829, 834 S.E.2d 27 (2019); Johnson v. State, 308 Ga. 141, 839 S.E.2d 521 (2020).
OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Editor's notes.
- In light of the similarity of the statutory provisions, opinions under former Code 1933, §§ 26-5104 and 26-5105 are included in the annotations for this Code section.
Public interest underlying section.
- Former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129) concerns public interest, since its objective is to avoid unrestrained carrying of firearms outside of homes or places of business. 1975 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U75-10.
Permit to carry pistol issued by another state is not recognized in Georgia. 1957 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 143 (rendered under former Code 1933, §§ 26-5104, 26-5105).
There is no restriction against carrying an unloaded shotgun in a vehicle through this state. 1970 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U70-30.
Discretion of probate court judge in considering application for firearms permit.
- The judge of the probate court, in considering an application for a firearms permit under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129, has no discretion to exercise, but must issue the permit unless provided with information indicating the disqualification of the applicant. 1989 Op. Att'y Gen. U89-21.
Probate judge's authority under former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129(a)) was permissive, not mandatory. 1972 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U72-112.
Discretionary meaning of word "may" in former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129) was revitalized and strengthened when viewed along with former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129(b)) which used word "shall" in regard to what a probate court judge must do when granting a license for a handgun; having both words "may" and "shall" used in that section, and in an almost side-by-side way, restores permissive or discretionary use of word "may." 1975 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U75-10.
Probate judge has discretion regarding issuance of more than one permit to an individual.
- Former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129) gives discretionary authority to probate court judge in county to determine whether or not to issue more than one license per person to carry a handgun in the county; further, a probate court judge has a duty to guard against having any one individual in the county becoming a threat to the community by issuing numerous permits to any one citizen. 1975 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U75-10.
Validity of license based on county residence.
- Person possesses a valid handgun license only when the handgun is issued in the person's county of present residence. When the holder of a handgun license changes the person's county of legal residence, the person must apply for a new license in the person's county of present residence, and the application should be processed as a first-time application pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129(c)(2) (paragraph (c)(2) deleted in 2006). 1985 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U85-49.
Word "resident" as used in former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129) meant domicile. 1976 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U76-71.
Demonstration of domiciliary intent is necessary for issuance of license.- General Assembly did not intend for probate judges to issue handgun licenses to every individual who passes through state for short period of time, but rather has extended this privilege to those individuals in this state who have demonstrated domiciliary intent and are known to be responsible citizens in their respective counties. 1981 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U81-26.
Considerations in determining residency.- In making determination as to whether an individual is a resident, evidence of whether the individual pays Georgia income taxes and/or property taxes, which county the individual resides in, and what county the individual is registered to vote in should be considered. 1981 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U81-26.
"Resident" requirement precludes issuance of permit to persons merely working or doing business in county.
- As used in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129, term "resident" means actual physical residence with intent to remain a resident. This precludes issuance of firearm permit to those persons who merely work or do business in county. 1981 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U81-26.
Military personnel generally not residents of county in which military installation is situated.
- One residing on military reservation does not qualify as resident of county in which military installation is situated, unless he or she has previously declared Georgia as his or her legal residence prior to moving onto reservation; military members residing off base would not be residents within meaning of former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129) unless they intend to make Georgia their legal residence, and the county in which they were residing their place of domicile. 1976 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U76-71 (rendered prior to 1996 amendment).
Licensing foreign nationals.- Probate judge may issue a firearm license to a qualified foreign national who is domiciled in the county over which the judge presides. 1985 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U85-15.
Former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129) did not require recording of any portion of application to carry a handgun. 1976 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U76-33; 1981 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U81-47.
Only written memorial necessary to be kept in discharge of duties imposed by former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129) was name of licensee and date of issuance of permit. 1981 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U81-47.
Only name of permit holder and date of permit issuance are matters of public record. 1981 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U81-47.
Although law enforcement agency check exceeds 60 days, license cannot issue prior to its return.
- In light of 60-day provision in former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129), the background check by a law enforcement agency is an essential condition precedent to issuing of license by probate judge to an applicant; the General Assembly never intended for a probate judge to issue a license until the judge had received a report from the respective law enforcement agency conducting the background check; therefore, a probate judge may not issue a pistol permit prior to return of law enforcement agency check should such check exceed 60 days as provided by law. 1978 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U78-45.
Entitlement to fee for processing applications.- Law enforcement agency is entitled to a fee for processing applications for a license to carry a pistol or revolver when a background investigation is performed by accessing the records of the Georgia Crime Information Center. 1985 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U85-16.
Information obtained pursuant to criminal history check is confidential.
- Information obtained pursuant to criminal history background check, required by O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129, from taking of fingerprints and checking of these fingerprints with those presently on file with Georgia Crime Information Center is of a confidential nature and prohibited from public disclosure. 1981 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U81-47.
Disclosure of confidential information would be unlawful.
- Disclosure of information obtained by local law enforcement agencies from Georgia Crime Information Center in conducting criminal history check would violate law and regulations governing dissemination of information contained in Georgia Crime Information Center's files, and would discourage voluntary compliance with the licensing provisions of O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129. 1981 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U81-47.
Effect of suspension of processing of nonfederal applicant fingerprint cards by FBI.- Suspension of processing of nonfederal applicant fingerprint cards by FBI limits processing of applicants for permits to carry a firearm to criminal history information available from Georgia Crime Information Center and local law enforcement agencies, but does not change procedure for processing applications. 1981 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 81-97.
Carrying pistol or revolver at shopping mall.
- Person who has properly obtained a license to carry a pistol or revolver under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129 may legally carry a pistol or revolver at a shopping mall without violating O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127, which prohibits the carriage of firearms to or while at a public gathering. 1984 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U84-37.
Private detectives and security guards may carry firearms while on duty or en route only when issued a permit from the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies. 1986 Op. Att'y Gen. 86-22.
Former Code 1933, § 26-2914 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-131) was only an additional qualification to requirements presently provided for under former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129(b)(3)). 1980 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U80-32.
Discharge under First Offender Act prevents operation of disabilities.
- Applicant for license to carry a pistol or revolver under former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129) who has successfully completed, or who has been released prior to termination of the probationary period under the First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. Art. 3, Ch. 8, T. 42), does not have to be free from all restraint or supervision for a specified period of years before applying for a pistol permit, since successful completion of period of probation has resulted in there being no adjudication of guilty and, therefore, no conviction. 1978 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U78-21.
Plea of nolo contendere to felony is not a statutory disqualification for a pistol license.
- Plea of nolo contendere to felony was not deemed plea of guilty to that felony, so as to prevent individual from qualifying for license to carry a pistol under former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129), however, probate judge might be able to deny a permit under such circumstances in view of the judge's discretion under subsection (a). 1974 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U74-67.
Plea of nolo contendere to drug violation as disqualification.
- Person charged with a violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, O.C.G.A. § 16-13-20 et seq., who has tendered a plea of nolo contendere to the charges, when such plea has been accepted by the trial court, has been convicted of that offense for the purposes of consideration of an application for a firearms permit, and is thus statutorily ineligible for the issuance of such a permit. 1991 Op. Att'y Gen. U91-11.
Conviction arising out of the possession of marijuana precludes an applicant from obtaining a license to carry a pistol or revolver. 1997 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U97-29.
Relief by pardon applies to disabilities upon individuals within coverage of paragraph (b)(3).
- Relief by pardon applies to those disabilities placed upon persons who have been convicted of felony or forcible misdemeanor and who are seeking to secure a license to carry a pistol under former Code 1933, § 26-2904 (see now O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129). Op. Att'y Gen. No. U71-10.
Arrest while in drunken condition and carrying pistol in full view. 1952-53 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 50 (rendered under former Code 1933, §§ 26-5104, 26-5105).
Renewing license requires going through same procedures as for applying for license for first time. 1980 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U80-9 (rendered prior to 1983 amendment).
Fingerprinting not required.
- Offenses arising from a violation of subsection (e) of O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129 does not appear to be an offense for which fingerprinting is required. 2010 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 10-6.
RESEARCH REFERENCES
Am. Jur. 2d.
- 79 Am. Jur. 2d, Weapons and Firearms, §§ 4, 8, 26, 34.
C.J.S.- 94 C.J.S., Weapons, § 56.
ALR.- Who is entitled to carry concealed weapons, 51 A.L.R.3d 504.
Judicial review of state or local administrative order approving, denying, or revoking permit or license to carry, possess, or own firearm, 91 A.L.R.6th 435.
Construction and application of state statutes and local ordinances regulating licenses or permits to carry concealed weapons, 12 A.L.R.7th 4.