Georgia Law

[undara12]

There have been recent changes in Georgia law. You now have to have a weapons license to carry a knife with a blade longer than 5 inches. Other than some special restricted areas, does the law allow carry of shorter knives concealed or unconcealed without the license?

Thanks.

 

[glistam]

No, the law does not cover knives shorter than 5 inches, thus leaving them free of any kind of restriction, except in certain areas like schools or government buildings. Long knives are actually permitted without permit if they are of a utilitarian nature, though the judgement of such is left to the officer and judge.

This law is not new. The newest law was a preemption bill that effectively repealed all local county and city knife laws, thus making all parts of Georgia subject to state knife laws only. This was done to stop the abuse of people attending the annual BLADE show.

Georgia knife law condensed:

(2) "Knife" means a cutting instrument designed for the purpose of offense and defense consisting of a blade that is greater than five inches in length which is fastened to a handle.
...
(5) "Weapon" means a knife or handgun.

(h) (1) No person shall carry a weapon without a valid weapons carry license unless he or she meets one of the exceptions to having such license as provided in subsections (a) through (g) of this Code section.

(a) Any person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a handgun or long gun may have or carry on his or her person a weapon or long gun on his or her property or inside his or her home, motor vehicle, or place of business without a valid weapons carry license.