Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. | Facebook/Brian Kemp
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. | Facebook/Brian Kemp
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp hopes to make his constituents feel safer and stronger with his recently announced support of a proposal to abolish weapons carry permits in the Peach State.
Georgians are currently required to first apply for a firearm license through their county court, pass a criminal background check, provide fingerprints and pay an average fee of $75 before they may obtain a weapons carry license (WCL) under current law, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. The measure, filed by state Sen. Jason Anavitarte in March last year, would remove all said barriers.
"I believe the United States Constitution grants the citizens of our state the right to carry a firearm without state government approval," Gov. Kemp said in a press conference at a gun store in Cobb County.
Approximately half of all U.S. states have loosened or removed their permit-to-carry laws in recent years, with some choosing entirely permitless-carry legislation, Statista reported.
"Building a safer, stronger Georgia starts with hardworking Georgians having the ability to protect themselves and their families," Kemp said. "In the face of rising violent crime across the country, law-abiding citizens should have their constitutional rights protected."
Kemp is looking to fight off a primary challenge from fellow republican David Perdue, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. With support from former President Donald Trump, Perdue announced in December that he was entering the governor's race.
Perdue has also taken up the promise of relaxed firearm carry laws, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
"As governor, I'll work with the state Legislature to finally enact constitutional carry," Perdue told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Georgia needs a bold leader who will make waves to get things done — not a career politician who hasn't delivered."
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