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Senate approves preemption, adds safe-storage penalties after hours of debate
Summary
Lawmakers passed SB 163 to bar local ordinances that conflict with state firearm law and added a new misdemeanor safe-storage offense for adults whose unsecured firearms are accessed by children. Debate covered constitutional preemption, public safety and implementation.
The Georgia Senate on March 11 passed Senate Bill 163, a measure that reaffirms state preemption over weapons regulation, adds a private right of action for some local ordinances and — after more than three hours of floor debate and amendments — a state-level misdemeanor for unsecured firearms accessed by minors.
Sponsor and author, the senator from the 50 third, said the measure clarifies that the General Assembly, not municipalities, sets statewide rules on the possession and carrying of weapons. "We get to make…
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