HB304.html

To amend Part 3 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to carrying and possession of firearms, so as to eliminate victim disarmament zones; to change the provisions relating to the offense of carrying a deadly weapon to or at a public gathering; to provide an exception to the offense of carrying a deadly weapon to or at a public gathering with respect to the carrying of a firearm or knife to or while at a public gathering if the person carrying such weapon is licensed under Code Section 16-11-129; to provide for checking of weapons as a condition of entry; to limit such exception; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Part 3 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to carrying and possession of firearms, is amended by striking in its entirety Code Section 16-11-127, relating to carrying deadly weapons to or at public gatherings, and inserting in lieu thereof a new Code Section 16-11-127 to read as follows:
"16-11-127.
(a)(1) Except as provided in Code Section 16-11-127.1, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor when he or she carries to or while at a public gathering any explosive compound, firearm, or knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense.
(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to a person who carries a firearm or knife to or while at a public gathering if such person is licensed to carry a pistol or revolver pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 16-11-129; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall not prohibit the owner or lessee of the property at which the public gathering is held from requiring any such licensee as a condition of entry onto the premises to deposit any firearm or knife in a designated secure storage facility on such premises for safekeeping therein while the licensee remains on the premises. The owner or lessee of the property shall be a bailee of any such firearm or knife so deposited and shall return the same to the licensee at the time of the licensee´s departure.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor when he or she carries to or while at a recreational or athletic activity involving any public or private elementary or secondary school students and held outside any school safety zone, as defined in Code Section 16-11-127.1, any explosive compound, firearm, or knife designed for the purpose of offense or defense.
(b) For the purpose of this Code section, 'public gathering' shall include, but shall not be limited to, athletic or sporting events, churches or church functions, political rallies or functions, publicly owned or operated buildings, or establishments at which alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises. Nothing in this Code section shall otherwise prohibit the carrying of a firearm in any other public place by a person licensed or permitted to carry such firearm by this part.
(c) This Code section shall not apply to competitors participating in organized sport shooting events. Law enforcement officers, peace officers retired from state or federal law enforcement agencies, judges, magistrates, solicitors-general, and district attorneys may carry pistols in publicly owned or operated buildings."