Would this be legal?

A person commits the offense of carrying a pistol without a license when he has or carries on or about his person, outside of his home, motor vehicle, or place of business....
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A dictionary definition of "about" is "somewhere near." That's operative definition in the phrase "on or about."
 
The most important thing to remember is to buy that ammo before you shoot up what you have. You will never be out of ammo that way, and your wally world trip won't be at the same time as you have your gun out for the range trip. This is a logistical problem, not a legal problem.
 
Why not just open carry the stupid gun in a hip holster and forget about a CCW. It is legal to open carry in GA.
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ONLY if you have a GFL. Be careful with advice that could get folks arrested...
 
I sent him to the web site with all the info. It's not my job to know the law in a state I'm not in. That's why I sent the info from the web site. But it seems to me that GA is violating the hell out of the Constitution.
 
Hey Bear45/70, You think Georgia`s bad with butchering the Constitution check California, Chicago, Washington DC and a few other states. Closest you can get to communism without being there:barf:
 
O.K. NGIB,whats a GFL?

Georgia Firearms License?

I see something new everyday and this is todays new info.

Thanks in advance for any info you provide.
 
It looks like open carry is not an option here in GA, according to this:

Q: Can I carry a handgun openly, without concealing it?
A: No! Georgia is one of the minority of states that requires a firearms license to carry a pistol openly outside of your home, car, or place of business.

which I found at the GeorgiaCarry site. But, as was pointed out, getting a firearms license here in GA is pretty painless. I plan to swing by the courthouse one day this week when I have some extra time.
 
"I dont see too many people walk in to wal-mart with a backpack so that may raise a red flag then you get charged with carring a gun illigally"

I wear a backpack often when riding my motorcycle - sport bikes don't exactly have a trunk - and I've never been hassled when carrying it into Wal-Mart or anywhere else. Unless they also check women's purses and bags, I don't see why they would have grounds to search my backpack.

Just to clarify, I don't carry a gun in it though.
 
To the OP - are there any ranges you can go to that sell ammo? Mine does, so I just buy a couple of boxes at the counter, shoot 'em up in the range then leave.
 
;Trabb's Boy said:
Thanks for the replies so far. I found this, which seems to be the relevant statute:

O.C.G.A. § 16-11-128
Carrying pistol without license

(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a pistol without a license when he has or carries on or about his person, outside of his home, motor vehicle, or place of business, any pistol or revolver without having on his person a valid license issued by the judge of the probate court of the county in which he resides, provided that no permit shall be required for persons with a valid hunting or fishing license on their person or for persons not required by law to have hunting licenses who are engaged in legal hunting, fishing, or sport shooting when the persons have the permission of the owner of the land on which the activities are being conducted; provided, further, that the pistol or revolver, whenever loaded, shall be carried only in an open and fully exposed manner.

The highlighting is mine. From this, it looks like I would indeed be breaking the law. In fact, it looks like, from the moment I get out of my car in the pistol range parking lot to walk inside, I've broken the law although I can't see anyone making an issue out of it. I suppose it all comes down to the meaning of the phrase "about my person". Is a separate bag that I am carrying or wearing considered to be "about my person" under the law? Seems like it would. I will need to ask a lawyer or a policeman, I guess. Or just go ahead and obtain a permit. In the meantime, I will just plan my range visits and shopping trips separately. Thanks again, everyone.
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;NavyLT said:
(d) This Code section shall not forbid the
transportation of any firearm by a person who is
not among those enumerated as ineligible for a
license under Code Section 16-11-129, provided
the firearm is enclosed in a case, unloaded, and
separated from its ammunition.
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Trabb's Boy,

It seems to me that NavyLT's post of Georgia Statutes clearly allows TRANSPORT of a firearm if it is in a case. So, a hard-sided case inside your backpack would qualify. A soft-sided case or gun rug, probably would, also, but I wouldn't be the farm on it. A locking case, or padlock, would strengthen your argument, as would a trigger lock.

Some might argue that a detour for shopping might disqualify the "transport" exception, though. If it hasn't be adjudicated already, that might be something for a trial court and appeals to establish as case law.

Wal-Mart has a mixed message about guns, though. They disable all their guns and (at least in some stores in my neck of the woods) will not allow customers to carry ammunition to the checkout stands in the front, but will either escort you or carry it for you, to be paid for immediate export out of the store. It would not surprize me in the least if Wal-mart prohibited firearms (other than their inventory, their authorized employees or police) in their stores altogether, cased or not.

That would make your violation one of trespass. However, if you refused to leave, it would become disorderly conduct, possibly D.C. involving a weapon. Now, THAT could become a felony, depending on the prosecutor and the judge.

As always, legal advice received over the internet is, well, suspect, so check the actual law. In Alaska, we now have concealed carry without permit, though there is a class and permitting system in place left over from when a permit was required. Some choose to go through the process so they can have reciprocity when travelling to other states. Some, like me, chose to take the class just for the education, with no intention of even ever carrying concealed.

Good luck and good shooting

Lost Sheep
 
Concealed, and on your person

I don't think it would make much difference if it was in your backpack, in your purse, or under your jacket. Concealed, and on your person will be the operative issues.

Walmarts are not all the same. Most follow the same general guidelines, but they are not all exactly the same. I can buy ammo (when they have it), at my local Walmart, and I have to pay for it at the sporting goods counter. Then they put it in the bag, with the reciept, and off I go, walking around the store while the wife finishes her grocery shopping. Did that last week.

I don't buy guns from Walmart, so I don't know how my local one treats that. The reason I don't buy guns from Walmart is simply because they don't have anything I want.

As to the backpack carry, I think it would be considered concealed. Now, how about this, open carry of the unloaded pistol inside a (locked) hard case? Where might that fall under the law, do you think?

The best solution is to not stop and shop on your way home from the range. Save that for another trip when you don't have your gun with you, since you are worried about leaving it in the car. Leave it at home, and then go shopping.
 
Even if in a range bag, most states would consider that as within your reach, care, custody, or control, and as such would require it to be seperated from any ammo, much like transporting in a vehicle. As stated many times, check out your states laws, Lexis-Nexis is a good place to start and I took the liberty of providing the link to Georgias codes annotated for you to research. Part 3 is concealed carry.

http://www.lexis-nexis.com/hottopics/gacode/default.asp
 
i live in georgia.

Georgia is the Empire State of the south. we fought for states rights during the civil war. we beleave everybody has basic rights. since u own a hand gun unless obtained threw a private purchase. ur obviously not a criminal so why not go down to the court house fill out the papers get finger printed. pay the fee and have ur carry permit within a week or 2.? then u can carry ur handgun anywhere. we have the some of the best gun laws in the u.s we are almost as good as texas. last year we passed a law where u can have a loaded handgun in ur vechcal anywhere. and if u have ur carry permit u can even carry it to highschool sporting events. everyone in my family has a carry permit. so why dont u just get one? one of the greatest acomplishments u can do in my opinion. also do u live in a small farm town like me? in my town i wouldnt care to leave a benelli shotgun in the backseat of my car while im in walmart shopping. no one round here even locks there doors. we where raised better than to steal. and almost every house hold round here owns a gun. so if u make any un suspected visits late in the night be prepared to get a 115 grain hollow gift of southern hospotality on ur way out! ahh dont u just love the people here in GA!
 
It would not surprize me in the least if Wal-mart prohibited firearms (other than their inventory, their authorized employees or police) in their stores altogether, cased or not.
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I carry daily, whether I'm in Wal-Fart or not. They don't have any signs stating that CCW isn't allowed, so I'm fully within my rights to carry there.

But, unlike Texas, Alaska really is like a whole 'nother country...

GA has made some great improvements, but IMHO our constitutional rights are not being honored correctly unless they mimic the laws of such states as Vermont and Alaska.
 
I've concluded that it is easier to obtain a firearms license than it is to obtain the law degree necessary to answer my own question, so I applied for the license one day last week. They claim it will take between 30 and 45 days, and I think I can manage to keep my gun out of Walmart for that long. :) Thanks, all.
 
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