Is a Special License Needed for AR 15/ AK 47 in GA?

pacerdude · January 4, 2010, 02:59 PM

I have noticed around metro Atlanta when I went home for the holidays that the Gun Range I go to, as well as other gun shops were having "specials" on AK 47s, and AR 15s.

My question is would I need a special license or permit in Georgia to purchase either the AK or AR?

Tucker 1371 · January 4, 2010, 04:51 PM

No, you can basically have whatever you want in GA just by buying it. All NFA laws/rules apply. We're one of the most gun friendly states in the union.

pacerdude · January 4, 2010, 05:02 PM

Thanks man, I just wasn't sure if I needed a class III permit or whatever. I noticed that the gun range I went to with my dad, had AK 47s for sale for $600. And it got me wondering, whether or not a person could buy one just as easily as a handgun/longgun in GA.

Tucker 1371 · January 4, 2010, 05:22 PM

No, Class III stuff only applies to full autos, barrels shorter than 16" (18" for shotguns), and suppressors.

And those $600 AKs were certainly not full auto, if you want an F/A AK it will run you $10k or higher.

Tamara · January 4, 2010, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacerdude

I noticed that the gun range I went to with my dad, had AK 47s for sale for $600. And it got me wondering, whether or not a person could buy one just as easily as a handgun/longgun in GA.

Well, that might be some of the confusion: The rifles you saw were semiautomatic AK-47 clones. which we just refer to as generic "AK's" as a sort of shorthand. The don't require any more special paperwork than Uncle Bubba's Remington 7400 deer rifle (and are, in fact, considerably less powerful.)

If you wished to purchase an actual fully-automatic AK-47, the procedure would be somewhat different.

Skans · January 4, 2010, 05:59 PM

Kennesaw (just north of Atlanta) had or has a law on the books that made it a requirement that all residents own a gun. I don't know whatever came of that law, but it was a topic of discussion in the 1990's. Yes, Georgia is gun-friendly!

pacerdude · January 4, 2010, 06:31 PM

Thanks for the clarification Tamara.

And Skans, last I heard it was still a law that all residences/places of business in Kennesaw own a firearm.

**Bud Helms** · January 4, 2010, 09:04 PM

Nope, not every citizen. Kennesaw, GA, passed an ordinance in the early 80s (mid '82, I believe) requiring every head of household to maintain a firearm together with ammunition.

That law was amended soon after to exempt those who 1) conscientiously object to owning a firearm, 2) convicted felons, 3) those who cannot afford a firearm and 4) those with a mental or physical disability that would prevent them from owning a firearm.

Conditionally, number 2 and definitely number 4 were part of GA Code previous to Kennesaw's ordinance. Numbers 1 and 3 simply removed a potential legal liability from the City.

The amendments show the kneejerk nature of the ordinance. Nice sentiment, awkwardly expressed. As I recall, it was done to make a statement in response to the Morton Grove, IL, city-wide gun ban.

pacerdude · January 4, 2010, 10:23 PM

Thanks Bud, didnt mean to pass on false information.

Skans · January 5, 2010, 08:15 AM

Thanks, Bud, for the clarification and update on that ordinance - I always wondered what became of it.

Art Eatman · January 5, 2010, 11:32 AM

I'll do the final thread-drift before closure, since the original question has been answered:

In Morton Grove, after passage, the burglary rate increased notably.

In Kennesaw, after passage, the burglary rate decreased toward zero.

January 4, 2010, 02:59 PM	#1
pacerdude Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 607	Is a Special License Needed for AR 15/ AK 47 in GA? I have noticed around metro Atlanta when I went home for the holidays that the Gun Range I go to, as well as other gun shops were having "specials" on AK 47s, and AR 15s. My question is would I need a special license or permit in Georgia to purchase either the AK or AR? __________________ Let not a man guard his dignity, but let his dignity guard him. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

January 4, 2010, 04:51 PM	#2
Tucker 1371 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 2,649	No, you can basically have whatever you want in GA just by buying it. All NFA laws/rules apply. We're one of the most gun friendly states in the union. __________________ Sgt. of Marines, 5th Award Expert Rifle, 237/250 Expert Pistol, 382/400. D Co, 4th CEB, Engineers UP!! If you start a thread, be active in it. Don't leave us hanging. OEF 2011 Sangin, Afg. Molon Labe

January 4, 2010, 05:02 PM	#3
pacerdude Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 607	Thanks man, I just wasn't sure if I needed a class III permit or whatever. I noticed that the gun range I went to with my dad, had AK 47s for sale for $600. And it got me wondering, whether or not a person could buy one just as easily as a handgun/longgun in GA. __________________ Let not a man guard his dignity, but let his dignity guard him. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

January 4, 2010, 05:22 PM	#4
Tucker 1371 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 2,649	No, Class III stuff only applies to full autos, barrels shorter than 16" (18" for shotguns), and suppressors. And those $600 AKs were certainly not full auto, if you want an F/A AK it will run you $10k or higher. __________________ Sgt. of Marines, 5th Award Expert Rifle, 237/250 Expert Pistol, 382/400. D Co, 4th CEB, Engineers UP!! If you start a thread, be active in it. Don't leave us hanging. OEF 2011 Sangin, Afg. Molon Labe

January 4, 2010, 06:31 PM	#7
pacerdude Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 607	Thanks for the clarification Tamara. And Skans, last I heard it was still a law that all residences/places of business in Kennesaw own a firearm. __________________ Let not a man guard his dignity, but let his dignity guard him. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

January 4, 2010, 05:59 PM	#6
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Kennesaw (just north of Atlanta) had or has a law on the books that made it a requirement that all residents own a gun. I don't know whatever came of that law, but it was a topic of discussion in the 1990's. Yes, Georgia is gun-friendly!

January 4, 2010, 09:04 PM	#8
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	Nope, not every citizen. Kennesaw, GA, passed an ordinance in the early 80s (mid '82, I believe) requiring every head of household to maintain a firearm together with ammunition. That law was amended soon after to exempt those who 1) conscientiously object to owning a firearm, 2) convicted felons, 3) those who cannot afford a firearm and 4) those with a mental or physical disability that would prevent them from owning a firearm. Conditionally, number 2 and definitely number 4 were part of GA Code previous to Kennesaw's ordinance. Numbers 1 and 3 simply removed a potential legal liability from the City. The amendments show the kneejerk nature of the ordinance. Nice sentiment, awkwardly expressed. As I recall, it was done to make a statement in response to the Morton Grove, IL, city-wide gun ban.

January 4, 2010, 10:23 PM	#9
pacerdude Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 607	Thanks Bud, didnt mean to pass on false information. __________________ Let not a man guard his dignity, but let his dignity guard him. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

January 5, 2010, 08:15 AM	#10
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Thanks, Bud, for the clarification and update on that ordinance - I always wondered what became of it.

January 5, 2010, 11:32 AM	#11
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I'll do the final thread-drift before closure, since the original question has been answered: In Morton Grove, after passage, the burglary rate increased notably. In Kennesaw, after passage, the burglary rate decreased toward zero.