Moving to Georgia

[Guest TigerDirect]

I am going to be moving to our neighbor to the south at the first of September. I want to get a Georgia Firearms License (of course), but I'm going to be living in DeKalb county, and they can take over three months to issue the permit while surrounding counties can do it in three to four days.

My concern is that in order to get the Georgia permit, I have to have a Georgia driver license. This requires me to surrender my Tennessee license. My question is, will surrendering my Tennessee driver license void my Tennessee HCP? My feeling is that it will, but I haven't been able to find anything definitive on that.

Edited July 10, 2011 by TigerDirect
Typo

[Fallguy]

I can't say for sure either, but tend think you may be right.

Sounds like you may need to contact the HCP office here and/or where you would be applying for your permit in GA.

You would think there is a way to carry while things are being transfered...

[Oh Shoot]

Well, TN allows you 6 months of residency before you must have a TN carry permit, in which time an out of state permit is okay, assuming it hasn't expired.

Perhaps GA also has some buffer like that?

- OS

[DaveTN]

GCO Sues Dekalb Police Over Fingerprinting Delays

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Georgia Carry : An information clearinghouse for Georgia Firearms License issues and news » Dekalb County Fingerprint Delays

You will be bound by Georgia law; not Tennessee. So you might want to post that question here…

Firearm Discussion • Index page

[Guest TigerDirect]

Called the Handgun Permit office...I was told that when Georgia issues me a driver license, my Tennessee HCP becomes invalid, just as I thought.

I will probably apply for either a Pennsylvania or New Hampshire non-resident permit and use that while I am waiting on the Georgia license.

[strickj]

You can carry loaded guns in your car in GA without a carry license. With that, It's no big deal even with three month wait.

[Oh Shoot]

...

I will probably apply for either a Pennsylvania or New Hampshire non-resident permit and use that while I am waiting on the Georgia license.

I have no idea of actual Georgia law but according to

Georgia Gun Laws in Plain English on GeorgiaPacking.org

other states' permits are only honored if you are not a Georgia resident.

- OS

[Guest TigerDirect]

I have no idea of actual Georgia law but according to

Georgia Gun Laws in Plain English on GeorgiaPacking.org

other states' permits are only honored if you are not a Georgia resident.

- OS

Where did you see that on that page? I searched up and down and couldn't find it.

GeorgiaPacking.org's Reciprocity Page says that "Georgia recognizes any carry permit issued by a state listed in Green. It does not matter if you are a resident or a non-resident of the issuing state." Handgunlaw.us's page for Georgia says the same.

[Oh Shoot]

Where did you see that on that page? I searched up and down and couldn't find it.

GeorgiaPacking.org's Reciprocity Page says that "Georgia recognizes any carry permit issued by a state listed in Green. It does not matter if you are a resident or a non-resident of the issuing state." Handgunlaw.us's page for Georgia says the same.

Yeah, but that's for visitors. TN is much the same, you must get a TN permit here after 6 months' residency, even though you may have an out of state permit.

The Georgia Packing page, under Carrying Weapons/Long Version, says:

"f. If you have a license to carry from a state that honors the Georgia Weapons Carry License, as long as you are not a resident of Georgia and you follow Georgia laws while you are here."

I don't know myself, just quoting. I'd find the pertinent GA statues, myself. Another question is when does one become a GA resident? TN is immediate upon intention, some states have a time period, though. And you must get a GA DL before gun permit? Must you apply for permit in county of residence? What if you are staying somewhere temporarily etc.

Must say that it seems counter-intuitive to me for GA to deny you to carry for 3 months or so having a valid permit from a state with which they have reciprocity.

- OS

Edited July 12, 2011 by OhShoot

[DaveTN]

No one in the Georgia office had an answer for this issue?

[Guest TigerDirect]

Yeah, but that's for visitors. TN is much the same, you must get a TN permit here after 6 months' residency, even though you may have an out of state permit.

The Georgia Packing page, under Carrying Weapons/Long Version, says:

"f. If you have a license to carry from a state that honors the Georgia Weapons Carry License, as long as you are not a resident of Georgia and you follow Georgia laws while you are here."

I don't know myself, just quoting. I'd find the pertinent GA statues, myself. Another question is when does one become a GA resident? TN is immediate upon intention, some states have a time period, though. And you must get a GA DL before gun permit? Must you apply for permit in county of residence? What if you are staying somewhere temporarily etc.

Must say that it seems counter-intuitive to me for GA to deny you to carry for 3 months or so having a valid permit from a state with which they have reciprocity.

- OS

You're exactly right. O.C.G.A. § 16-11-126 part (e) says

Any person licensed to carry a handgun or weapon in any other state whose laws recognize and give effect to a license issued pursuant to this part shall be authorized to carry a weapon in this state, but only while the licensee is not a resident of this state; provided, however, that such licensee shall carry the weapon in compliance with the laws of this state.

I have yet to talk to anyone in DeKalb county about this, but I expect them to be less than helpful since they already discriminate against those attempting to get the license.

I appreciate the help guys. Since this is kind of out of scope for Tennessee, I'll see what the folks in Georgia have to say.

[bvarnell]

Reconsider moving to Dekalb Co., probably the most crime ridden county in the state.

As strickj said, carrying in auto does not require a permit.