Firearms licenses in Georgia plummet after 'permitless carry' law

Gov. Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 319 into law on April 12, 2022. It allows permitless carry in Georgia, making it the 25th state with such a law. (Rahul Bali/WABE)

Roughly half as many Georgians applied for permits to carry handguns in the year since they became optional.

Twenty-eight states now have “permitless carry” laws on the books, most of which passed in the last decade. Passing “permitless carry” was a top priority for Georgia Republicans. 

“Law-abiding Georgians, including our daughters and your family, too, can protect themselves without having permission from their state government,” Gov. Brian Kemp told supporters as he signed the legislation last year at Gable Sporting Goods.