The Georgia Constitutional Carry Act of 2021 has cleared the state's General Assembly and is headed to the governor's desk for signature. 

The state Senate on Friday concurred with changes the House made on SB 319, which had cleared the senior chamber in February. The final votes on the popular Republican-backed proposal were 100-67 in the House and 34-22 in the Senate, mostly along party lines. Gov. Brian Kemp, who has backed the measure from the beginning, said he is ready to sign it into law. 

"The Constitution should be our carry permit, and I look forward to signing a Constitutional Carry measure this year to enshrine hardworking Georgians’ ability to protect themselves and their families in Georgia law," said Kemp on social media after the final vote. 

Once Kemp signs the measure into law, it will be a milestone event, as Georgia will be the 25th state to recognize permitless concealed carry in some form. Of the other states, Georgia's neighbors to the north and west – Tennessee and Alabama – have already adopted similar laws, the latter just two months ago. Meanwhile, the Peachtree State's neighbor to the south, Florida, is set to consider permitless carry legislation in an upcoming special session later this month.

"This is a monumental moment for the Second Amendment, NRA members and gun owners nationwide," said Jason Ouimet, executive director of NRA's Institute for Legislative Action. "Half the country now rightfully recognizes the fundamental right to carry a firearm for self-defense as enshrined in our Constitution – as opposed to a government privilege that citizens must ask permission to exercise."

Banner image: FN-made Hi-Power in a Galco Yaqui slide holster, relaxing among the peaches. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

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