Jonah Patel
On April 12, 2022, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) into law, allowing Georgians to carry concealed handguns in public without a license or background check. The bill, which passed with a 94-57 vote along party lines, was supported by Second Amendment enthusiasts and Republican lawmakers who argued that it was a public safety measure needed to address rising crime rates in the state. However, the bill faced opposition from Democrats and gun control advocates who argued that it would fuel shooting deaths and worsen the state's ongoing gun violence crisis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) |
| Name of the person who signed the bill | Governor Brian P. Kemp |
| Date of signing the bill | April 12, 2022 |
| Location of the bill signing | Gable's Sporting Goods in Douglasville |
| Other bills signed | HB 218 (a license reciprocity measure) |
| Supporters of the bill | Conservatives, Second Amendment enthusiasts, Republican lawmakers, gun owners |
| Opponents of the bill | Democrats, Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action, law enforcement, public safety experts, Georgia voters |
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What You'll Learn
- Brian Kemp signs the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act into law
- Kemp's signature etches constitutional carry into law
- Kemp signs bill allowing permitless carry of a concealed handgun in public
- Kemp signs bill over objections from law enforcement, public safety experts, and Georgia voters
- Kemp signs bill after promise to sign 'constitutional carry'
Brian Kemp signs the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act into law
On April 12, 2022, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) into law, allowing gun owners to carry a concealed handgun in public without a license from the state. Kemp was joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, two of his daughters, state constitutional officers, legislators, and other special guests.
The bill, which passed the Georgia Senate at the beginning of April, removes the requirement for a weapons carry license to carry a concealed firearm in public. It also includes a license reciprocity measure (HB 218), which authorizes individuals licensed to carry a weapon in another state to do so in Georgia.
Supporters of the bill, including Republican lawmakers and Second Amendment enthusiasts, argue that it is a public safety measure that will allow law-abiding citizens to more easily protect themselves. They contend that it does not create more crime but instead gives people the ability to defend themselves, particularly in a context of rising crime rates.
However, the bill has faced strong opposition from Democrats, law enforcement, public safety experts, and Georgia voters. They argue that it opens up a dangerous loophole to bypass background checks in private sales and that states with weaker firearm permitting systems have experienced higher rates of violent crime and handgun homicides. Georgia already has a high level of gun violence, and opponents warn that the new law could exacerbate the problem.
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Kemp's signature etches constitutional carry into law
On April 12, 2022, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) into law, allowing Georgians to carry concealed handguns in public without a license or background check. This move, which has been dubbed "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry", was met with strong opinions from both supporters and opponents.
Kemp's signature on Senate Bill 319 etched "constitutional carry" into law, fulfilling a campaign promise he made back in 2018. The bill removes the requirement for gun owners to obtain a weapons carry license to carry a concealed firearm in public. Previously, gun owners had to file an application and undergo a background check to obtain a permit. Now, they can legally carry a concealed handgun in public without any license or background check.
Supporters of the bill, including Republican lawmakers and Second Amendment enthusiasts, argue that it is a public safety measure. They believe that allowing law-abiding citizens to carry weapons will deter criminals and enhance their ability to defend themselves. Additionally, they see it as a way to uphold the Second Amendment and remove unnecessary paperwork for individuals who are already legally allowed to carry weapons.
However, the bill has faced significant opposition from Democrats, law enforcement, public safety experts, and Georgia voters. They argue that removing the permit requirement will fuel shooting deaths and worsen the state's ongoing gun violence crisis. Georgia already has a high rate of gun violence, with guns being the leading cause of death among children and teens in the state. Opponents also highlight the danger of bypassing background checks, which can allow individuals with criminal histories or unstable mental health to obtain firearms.
The debate surrounding "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry" in Georgia reflects a broader national discussion on gun control and public safety. While supporters see it as a way to empower citizens and uphold their constitutional rights, opponents raise concerns about the potential impact on community safety and the escalation of gun violence.
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Kemp signs bill allowing permitless carry of a concealed handgun in public
On April 12, 2022, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) into law, allowing gun owners to carry a concealed handgun in public without a license from the state. Kemp's signature on the bill, also known as "constitutional carry" legislation, removed the requirement for Georgians to obtain a permit or undergo a background check to carry a weapon in public.
The bill signing took place at Gable's Sporting Goods in Douglasville, and was attended by a large crowd of Second Amendment enthusiasts. Governor Kemp, a Republican, had campaigned on this issue in 2018 and expressed his support for the legislation, stating that it is about preserving the Second Amendment and ensuring public safety. He argued that law-abiding citizens should be able to carry a weapon for self-defense without unnecessary government restrictions.
However, the bill was met with opposition from Democrats and gun control advocates, who raised concerns about public safety and the removal of background checks. They pointed out that states with weaker firearm permitting systems have experienced an increase in violent crime and handgun homicide rates. Some critics, including State Sen. Donzella James, accused Kemp of using the bill to gain political points in an election year and cater to special interest groups.
Despite the objections, Governor Kemp moved forward with the bill signing, citing widespread concern for safety among Georgians due to a spike in violent crime. He also signed a license reciprocity measure (HB 218) that ensures individuals licensed to carry a weapon in another state are authorized to do so in Georgia as well.
The Georgia Constitutional Carry Act removes the requirement for gun owners to file an application for a weapons carry license if they want to carry a concealed firearm in public. While supporters of the bill argue that it empowers law-abiding citizens to protect themselves, opponents warn that it could contribute to an increase in gun violence and undermine public safety.
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Kemp signs bill over objections from law enforcement, public safety experts, and Georgia voters
On April 12, 2022, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) into law, allowing gun owners to carry a concealed handgun in public without a license from the state. The bill, which was signed at a ceremony at Gable's Sporting Goods in Douglasville, was supported by Second Amendment enthusiasts and Republican lawmakers, who argued that it was a necessary public safety measure to allow people to protect themselves amid a rise in crime.
However, the bill was not without controversy. Opponents, including law enforcement officers, public safety experts, and Georgia voters, argued that it was a dangerous policy that undermined public safety. They pointed out that states with similar weakened firearm permitting systems have experienced increases in violent crime and handgun homicide rates. Polling from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution revealed that nearly 70% of Georgia voters opposed permitless carry, believing that adults should first obtain a license before carrying a concealed handgun in public.
Despite these objections, Governor Kemp maintained that the bill was about upholding constitutional rights, stating that "the Constitution of the United States gives us that right, not the government." He also addressed concerns about safety, claiming that "the criminals are getting the guns anyway" and that this bill would not create more crime but rather enable law-abiding citizens to carry weapons without a license.
The signing of the bill was seen by some as a political move, with State Sen. Donzella James accusing Governor Kemp of using the legislature to gain an advantage over his primary opponents. Kemp had also campaigned on this issue back in 2018 but had made little progress until facing opposition in the primaries from former U.S. Republican Sen. David Perdue and others.
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Kemp signs bill after promise to sign 'constitutional carry'
On April 12, 2022, Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp, surrounded by his family, state constitutional officers, legislators, and other special guests, signed the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) and a license reciprocity measure (HB 218) into law. The bill allows Georgia residents to carry handguns in public without a license or background check.
Kemp's signature on Senate Bill 319 etched "constitutional carry" into law, fulfilling a campaign promise he made in 2018. During the bill signing ceremony, Kemp emphasised that the Second Amendment grants the right to bear arms, not the government. He also highlighted the importance of public safety and standing with law enforcement, stating that Georgia is not a state that demonises law enforcement or undermines public safety.
The bill was well-received by Second Amendment enthusiasts and Republican lawmakers, who praised it as a necessary measure to enable people to protect themselves in the face of rising crime rates. They argued that law-abiding citizens should be able to carry weapons without a license and that criminals might think twice if they are unsure whether their potential victim is armed. Additionally, supporters of the bill argued that the previous permit requirement was unnecessary paperwork for individuals who were already legally allowed to carry weapons.
However, the bill faced opposition from Democrats, law enforcement officials, public safety experts, and Georgia voters. They pointed out that the bill eliminates the background check requirement triggered by the license application, which could potentially fuel shooting deaths and worsen the state's ongoing gun violence crisis. Opponents also expressed concern that the bill creates a dangerous loophole to bypass background checks in private sales.
In the days leading up to the bill's signing, there were urgent calls from gun rights advocates for Kemp to sign the bill, as they felt he had taken no action despite it being a pressing issue. On the other hand, gun control advocates and public safety groups urged him not to sign the bill, arguing that it undermined public safety and ignored the efforts of those working to keep their communities safe.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia signed the constitutional carry bill into law on April 12, 2022.
The constitutional carry bill, also known as the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act or Senate Bill 319, allows Georgia residents to carry handguns in public without a license or background check.
The bill signing was praised by conservative lawmakers and Second Amendment advocates, who argued that it was necessary to allow people to protect themselves in response to rising crime rates. However, the bill was criticized by Democrats, gun control groups, and public safety experts, who warned that it could lead to an increase in gun violence and homicide rates.
With the constitutional carry bill, gun owners in Georgia no longer need to apply for a weapons carry license to carry a concealed firearm in public. They are also no longer required to pay a tax or undergo a background check to carry a firearm for self-defense.
Yes, Governor Kemp faced opposition from Democrats and gun control groups, who urged him to veto the bill. There were also concerns about his delay in signing the bill, as other "red state" governors had signed similar bills into law much more quickly.
