Mods, please accept my apologies for placing this thread in the GD section, no one seem to even go in the regional sections.
I will be traveling to Georgia for work (sort of) in the next couple of weeks and had a question about CCW. I have a Florida Non-Resident CCW permit which is accepted by Georgia. I will be spending most of my time (8-12h per day) in the Georgia World Congress Center. I have been reading the laws but I am super confused on the ability to carry in a place of public gathering. I also can not find any information if the GWCC allows CCW.
I’d like to find out because if I will be disallowed from carrying in the GWCC, it may just not be worth the hassle to fly with a pistol. I don’t expect myself doing much of anything other than being in the GWCC. Maybe dinner/meeting with a client or going to the aquarium lol.
The GWCC is owned by the State of GA and guns are not allowed. The building is in the middle of downtown Atlanta, not the friendliest place in the area, especially at night. Traveling in groups would be wise, especially at night, like going to dinner. Parking decks and sidewalks can be sketchy.
You mentioned you may be interested in going to the aquarium. The aquarium will not let anyone carrying a gun or knife inside. They search you with wands and search any bags/packs/package/etc.
FYI, depending what kind of event you’re attending at the GWCC, there may or may not be electronic wands. Most of the time, there is none. I’ve gone there for the International Auto Shows and boat shows for several years and there were no wands.
Going there for the AIA convention. I’ve worked in NYC so I’m aware of city life. Can’t carry in NYC obviosly so not being able to carry in GWCC is not the end of the world. Only time I get to carry is when I travel to free states so I figured I would ask. Thank you guys for the info. Much appreciated.
Ah, I recall you mentioned awhile back that you’re an architect. You’ll probably run into some of my architect friends there.
If you’ve survived this long in NYC without a gun, I’m sure you know how to handle downtown ATL without one. Use the same mindset as in NYC and hopefully some luck and you’ll be ok.
Have fun.
PS: I read that slick Willie will be the speaker on day 1, on that account, security will be tight. Leave your piece, bring him a cigar.
Slick Willie WILL be there. We are signed up to hear him speak lol. I do have some Cubans at home, maybe I’ll bring him a gift… sans intern juices. Deff gonna try and get a pic with him, why not, may not like him but he was a President after all.
Cerrain government buildings are specifically mentioned as go/no-go. I believe the criteria is whether or not there is a security checkpoint or screened access.
206 (e) (1) A license holder shall be authorized to carry a weapon in a government building
207 when the government building is open for business and where ingress into such building
208 is not restricted or screened by security personnel. A license holder who enters or attempts
209 to enter a government building carrying a weapon where ingress is restricted or screened
210 by security personnel shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if at least one member of such
211 security personnel is certified as a peace officer pursuant to Chapter 8 of Title 35; provided,
212 however, that a license holder who immediately exits such building or immediately leaves
213 such location upon notification of his or her failure to clear security due to the carrying of
214 a weapon shall not be guilty of violating this subsection or paragraph (1) of subsection (b)
215 of this Code section. A person who is not a license holder and who attempts to enter a
216 government building carrying a weapon shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Alex, do a brother a solid, and help me wrap my noodle around the Florida Law. In Georgia, I can legally walk down the street with a .50 Cal strapped to my back, and a Desert Eagle in a drop leg rig.
In Florida, the weapon, if I understand correctly, ABSOLUTELY must be concealed, and I could be charged if it were exposed.
Before asking on here I sent an e-mail to the GWCC. Having not heard back form then in a couple of days I figured they just ignored me and asked you guys.
Just got a call from the general council for the GWCC, he said that I CAN carry in the building during the AIA convention. I was away from my desk so he left a VM. I called back to clarify restricted locations on Thursday when Bill Clinton will be in the building.
Looks like I may be bringing my S&W Shield with me
Your guess is as good as mine OS. I live in Jersey and have a Florida Non-Resident permit, have not been to Florida since getting it.
790.015 Nonresidents who are United States citizens and hold a concealed weapons license in another state; reciprocity.—
(1) Notwithstanding s. 790.01, a nonresident of Florida may carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm while in this state if the nonresident:
(a) Is 21 years of age or older.
(b) Has in his or her immediate possession a valid license to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm issued to the nonresident in his or her state of residence.
(c) Is a resident of the United States.
(2) A nonresident is subject to the same laws and restrictions with respect to carrying a concealed weapon or concealed firearm as a resident of Florida who is so licensed.
(3) If the resident of another state who is the holder of a valid license to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm issued in another state establishes legal residence in this state by:
(a) Registering to vote;
(b) Making a statement of domicile pursuant to s. 222.17; or
(c) Filing for homestead tax exemption on property in this state,
the license shall remain in effect for 90 days following the date on which the holder of the license establishes legal state residence.
(4) This section applies only to nonresident concealed weapon or concealed firearm licenseholders from states that honor Florida concealed weapon or concealed firearm licenses.
(5) The requirement of paragraph (1)(a) does not apply to a person who:
(a) Is a servicemember, as defined in s. 250.01; or
(b) Is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who was discharged under honorable conditions.
Open Carry of Firearms:
790.053 Open carrying of weapons.—
(1) Except as otherwise provided by law and in subsection (2), it is unlawful for any person to openly carry on or about his or her person any firearm or electric weapon or device. It is not a violation of this section for a person licensed to carry a concealed firearm as provided in s. 790.06(1), and who is lawfully carrying a firearm in a concealed manner, to briefly and openly display the firearm to the ordinary sight of another person, unless the firearm is intentionally displayed in an angry or threatening manner, not in necessary self-defense.
(2) A person may openly carry, for purposes of lawful self-defense:
(a) A self-defense chemical spray.
(b) A nonlethal stun gun or dart-firing stun gun or other nonlethal electric weapon or device that is designed solely for defensive purposes.
(3) Any person violating this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
Do these answer your questions?
Basically it is illegal to open carry firearms in public in Florida.
