Does Georgia have constitutional carry?

Yes. Georgia is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The WCL remains available and is still worth holding for reciprocity in states that don't recognize permitless carry.

How much does a Georgia WCL cost?

The WCL application fee in Georgia is $30. Statutory application/renewal fee is $30.00 (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129); original applications typically cost more once mandatory fingerprinting and the background check are added (e.g. roughly $75–80 in many counties).

Does Georgia honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?

Georgia honors concealed-carry permits from 32 other states, subject to the qualifiers (resident-only or permit-class restrictions) noted on each reciprocity pair. See the full inbound list on the "who Georgia honors" page.

Where is a Georgia WCL honored?

A Georgia WCL is honored by 33 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.

How long is a Georgia WCL valid?

A Georgia WCL is valid for 5 years before renewal is required.

This is not legal advice.Concealed-carry reciprocity changes frequently and carries serious legal consequences. Verify current law with the destination state's official source before you carry.

GeorgiaConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity

Georgia is a permitless (constitutional) carry state as of April 12, 2022 (SB 319, the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act). Any "lawful weapons carrier" — a person 21 or older (or 18+ with qualifying military service) who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm — may carry a handgun openly or concealed without a license (O.C.G.A. §§ 16-11-125.1, 16-11-126). The Georgia Weapons Carry License (WCL) remains available and is worth holding for reciprocity, since many other states honor a Georgia WCL but not permitless carry. Georgia issues a single license class through the probate court of the applicant's county of residence and requires no training course. Georgia recognizes the valid weapons carry licenses of a specific list of other states (not all states) under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-126(e), as published by the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

Georgia Georgia Weapons Carry License (WCL)

Issuing authority: Georgia Probate Court (of the applicant's county of residence)
Carry regime: constitutional
Minimum age: 21
Fee: $30
Training: Not required
Validity: 5 years

Full Georgia permit requirements →

Carry practicalities

Permitless carry

Allowed — minimum age 21

Georgia has permitless (constitutional) carry since April 12, 2022 (SB 319). Any "lawful weapons carrier" — a person 21 or older (or 18+ who has completed basic training and is actively serving in, or was honorably discharged from, the U.S. armed forces) who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm — may carry a handgun without a Weapons Carry License (O.C.G.A. §§ 16-11-125.1, 16-11-126). Residency is not required to carry permitlessly.

official source · verified 2026-07-09

Open carry

Permitless

Open carry of a handgun is legal in Georgia without a license for any lawful weapons carrier — SB 319 authorizes a lawful weapons carrier to carry a handgun openly or concealed in every location not otherwise prohibited by O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127 (O.C.G.A. §§ 16-11-125.1, 16-11-126).

official source · verified 2026-07-09

Duty to inform

Not required

Georgia imposes no statutory duty to proactively inform a law enforcement officer that you are carrying a weapon; the Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) and O.C.G.A. §§ 16-11-126/129 contain no notify-on-contact requirement.

official source · verified 2026-07-09

Off-limits locations

K-12 school safety zones, school functions, and school buses
government buildings when access is restricted by security screening
courthouses
jails and prisons
state mental health facilities
bars, unless the owner or operator permits carry
places of worship, unless the place of worship authorizes carry
nuclear power facilities
within 150 feet of a polling place
secured (past-screening) areas of airports

Curated key categories, not exhaustive. Prohibited places are enumerated in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127 (and § 16-11-127.1 for school safety zones); federal facilities and private property where the owner prohibits carry are also off-limits. Carrying in a government building is barred only where entry is restricted by a security screening station.

official source · verified 2026-07-09

Georgia reciprocity summary

Georgia honors 32 states' permits · honored by 33 states

Where a Georgia permit is honored →Whose permits Georgia honors →

Last verified 2026-07-09 against Georgia DPS — Firearm Permit Reciprocity.

Verify Georgia rules on the official page →

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Get notified when your state's reciprocity changes.

Georgia FAQ

Does Georgia have constitutional carry?: Yes. Georgia is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The WCL remains available and is still worth holding for reciprocity in states that don't recognize permitless carry.
How much does a Georgia WCL cost?: The WCL application fee in Georgia is $30. Statutory application/renewal fee is $30.00 (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129); original applications typically cost more once mandatory fingerprinting and the background check are added (e.g. roughly $75–80 in many counties).
Does Georgia honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?: Georgia honors concealed-carry permits from 32 other states, subject to the qualifiers (resident-only or permit-class restrictions) noted on each reciprocity pair. See the full inbound list on the "who Georgia honors" page.
Where is a Georgia WCL honored?: A Georgia WCL is honored by 33 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.
How long is a Georgia WCL valid?: A Georgia WCL is valid for 5 years before renewal is required.

Sources

Georgia DPS — Firearm Permit Reciprocity (2026-07-09)