South Fulton Today

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is pushing legislation that would loosen requirements to carry a firearm in public.

Publicly carrying a concealed weapon in Georgia requires citizens to apply for a weapons carry license through their county court, pass a background check, provide fingerprints and pay an average fee of $75, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. The measure, filed in March last year by Sen. Jason Anavitarte, looks to do away with all of these requirements.

"I am proud to be leading the fight to bring Constitutional Carry to Georgia," Anavitarte said in a statement. "Georgians should not need a permit to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights, defend themselves and protect their families. This law will keep safeguards in place to ensure that only law-abiding citizens can purchase and obtain a firearm while eliminating the bureaucratic red tape that infringes on Georgians' constitutional rights. I look forward to carrying this bill across the finish line and having it signed into law."

Kemp has brought back attention to this bill at a time when he is under immense pressure from a reelection battle with fellow Republican and former Sen. 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.

"Building a safer, stronger Georgia starts with hardworking Georgians having the ability to protect themselves and their families," Kemp said in a press conference at a gun store in Cobb County. "In the face of rising violent crime across the country, law-abiding citizens should have their constitutional rights protected."