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Georgia Open Carry Laws (2026)

Permitted: Open carry of a handgun is allowed in Georgia without a license for any lawful weapons carrier, and no permit is required.

PermittedVerified May 31, 2026

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Official source: georgia.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Open Carry in states bordering Georgia

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

AlabamaPermitted
Open carry of a handgun is allowed in Alabama without a permit for anyone who is not prohibited from possessing one. Alabama's constitutional carry applies to both open and concealed carry.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: alea.gov · Full Alabama rule →
FloridaPermitted
Open carry is unsettled. The statute banning it is still on the books, but a Florida appeals court held the ban unconstitutional in McDaniels v. State (September 2025), and the Attorney General advised police and prosecutors to refrain from arresting or prosecuting law-abiding citizens for visibly carrying. …
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: myfloridalegal.com · Full Florida rule →
North CarolinaPermitted
Open carry of a handgun needs no permit in North Carolina if you are 18 or older and not otherwise prohibited. The state ban covers concealed carry only. Local governments may ban guns in public buildings, and carrying a gun to the terror of the public is still a crime. Place restrictions apply, and anyone under 18 generally cannot carry a handgun.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: ncdoj.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
South CarolinaPermitted
Open carry of a handgun is legal in South Carolina without a permit for eligible people 18 or older. This took effect on March 7, 2024 under H.3594.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: sled.sc.gov · Full South Carolina rule →
TennesseePermitted
Open carry of a handgun is allowed in Tennessee without a permit for anyone 18 or older who may lawfully possess one.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: tn.gov · Full Tennessee rule →

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