Georgia-2011-SB98-Comm Sub

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 provide an exemption from the application of certain laws regarding the carrying and possession of firearms for persons possessing valid weapons carry licenses; to provide for exceptions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

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 revising Code Section 16-11-130, relating to exemptions from Code Sections 16-11-126 through 16-11-127.2, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"(a.1) The prohibitions contained in Code Section 16-11-127 shall not apply to license holders as defined in Code Section 16-11-125.1; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall authorize a license holder to carry a weapon or long gun in a jail, prison, courtroom, or beyond the security checkpoint of a courthouse or on the premises of a nuclear power plant or in a state mental health facility as defined by Code Section 37-1-1; and provided, further, that, notwithstanding the provisions of Code Section 16-11-173, such license holders shall not be authorized to carry firearms in county or municipal government buildings unless the governing authority of such county or municipality authorizes the carrying of firearms in such buildings by ordinance or resolution. Nothing in this Code section shall restrict the rights of private property owners or persons in legal control of property through a lease, a rental agreement, a contract, or any other agreement to control access to such property. When a private property owner or person in legal control of property through a lease, a rental agreement, a contract, or any other agreement is also an employer, his or her rights as a private property owner or person in legal control of property shall govern."