Gov. Brian P. Kemp last week signed SB 319 into law making Georgia the 25th state in the nation to enact constitutional carry.
The Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) allows law-abiding residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit.
At the signing ceremony at Gables Sporting Goods in Douglasville, Gov. Kemp spoke about how his family fully embraces the Second Amendment.
“Here at Gables is where Marty and I bought Lucy her first firearm – a GLOCK 43X – 9MM – which she is carrying today! We did that, not only because we strongly believe in the Second Amendment, but we also want Lucy – and both her sisters – to be able to defend themselves,” said Kemp, a Republican.
“As the parents of three daughters – there’s nothing Marty and I care more about than making sure Jarrett, Lucy, and Amy Porter are safe,” he continued. “With Jarrett a recent graduate and Lucy and Amy Porter still in college, that isn’t as easy as it used to be.”
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“SB 319 makes sure that law abiding Georgians – including our daughters and your family, too – can protect themselves without having to ask permission from state government,” Kemp said. “The Constitution of the United States gives us that right – not the government.”
Gov. Kemp also signed a companion bill, HB 218, which expands Georgia’s reciprocity arrangements with other states.
“And HB 218 ensures that individuals who are licensed to carry a weapon in another state are also authorized to do so here in Georgia,” explained Kemp.
The National Rifle Association cheered the news and claimed credit for expanding permissive carry laws across the country over the past four decades.
“The NRA paved the way for constitutional carry by first leading the charge for right-to-carry nearly 40 years ago. Today, every state, and the District of Columbia, provides for the carrying of a firearm for self-defense outside the home in some form, and half the nation recognizes the Second Amendment protects law-abiding citizens’ right to self-defense as an inherent and inalienable right,” said Wayne LaPierre, CEO and executive vice president of the NRA in a recent statement.
“NRA members have led this extraordinary brick-by-brick effort in building and expanding America’s self-defense laws and we are not done!,” said LaPierre added.
The list of constitutional carry states now includes Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
What state is next? Many believe Florida may be poised to be number 26th, as lawmakers down there have a special legislative session on the docket this week where constitutional carry may be discussed and voted on.
Stay tuned for updates!