6 Senators Propose Training Requirements for Carry Licenses

Democrat lawmakers have brought forth legislation which would require training requirements for Georgians seeking to have a weapons carry license.

The bill was filed this week by State Senators Emanuel Jones, Elena Parent, Nan Orrock, Freddie Powell Sims, Jen Jordan, and Valencia Seay.

The language of the bill specifically requires training requirements in order for a weapons carry license, or conceal carry permit as it is often referred to, in Georgia.

The proposal would require mandated participation in a handgun education course by a training organization approved by the Georgia Department of Public Safety. The bill outlines exactly what would be required in the class, which includes:

• an 8 hour course
• Information on the laws of this state relating to handguns and the use of deadly force
• Information on handgun use and safety
• Information on the proper storage practice for handguns with an emphasis on storage practices that reduce the possibility of accidental injury to a child
• actual firing of a handgun in the presence of the instructor at an established
  shooting range authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction where such shooting range is located

SB 78 provides exemptions for:

• handgun instructors approved by the Georgia Department of Public Safety,
• active duty armed forces members, and
• a person who “demonstrates to the commissioner of public safety, or his or her designee, that he or she has a proficiency in both the use of handguns and the laws of this state pertaining to handguns”
  • This does not explicitly provide an exemption for law enforcement, but would likely apply

The bill has been assigned to the Senate Public Safety Committee.

You can contact the sponsors of the bill by email here:

jennifer.jordan@senate.ga.gov
emanuel.jones@senate.ga.gov
elena.parent@senate.ga.gov
nan.orrock@senate.ga.gov
freddie.sims@senate.ga.gov
valencia.seay@senate.ga.gov

You can read the bill below. (Click here if you’re having difficulty loading the PDF)