Bill > HB63

This bill establishes a new criminal offense in Georgia for firearm owners who fail to adequately secure their firearms, creating legal liability when a firearm is obtained by another person and subsequently used in specific dangerous circumstances. The bill defines a firearm as any handgun, rifle, shotgun, or similar weapon capable of expelling a projectile, and creates a misdemeanor offense when a firearm owner knows or should have known that another individual could access their weapon. Specifically, the offense occurs if a minor obtains the firearm and exhibits it in a public place or makes a threat of violence, or if any individual obtains the firearm and uses it to commit a crime or causes injury or death (except in lawful self-defense scenarios). Violation of this provision would result in a mandatory fine of at least $500, serving as a legal mechanism to encourage responsible firearm storage and ownership. The bill aims to reduce potential gun-related incidents by holding firearm owners accountable for improperly secured weapons that are subsequently used in harmful or dangerous ways.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69375