Gun sales by licensed dealers in Georgia require background checks under federal law. However, private or non-dealer sales do not require background checks under state law.
You can learn more about this in our article about the Georgia gun laws. Otherwise, read on to learn more about the background checks in particular.
Overview of Background Checks in Georgia
Are They Required?
Georgia doesn’t require background checks on buyers in private or non-dealer gun sales. It also doesn’t require bills of sale for these transactions.
Licensed dealers need background checks for their sales because federal law requires it of them, on the other hand.
Eligibility
To pass a gun buyer background check in Georgia, you should meet the minimum ages for gun purchase and not be disqualified from owning guns by state or federal law.
In Georgia, the minimum age to buy a handgun is 21 and long gun, 18. As for the disqualifying traits that prohibit gun ownership, see our gun laws article.
Timeframe
Gun background checks in Georgia generally take 3 business days. They can be shorter or longer, often depending on how many other checks are queued in the system.
Appeal Process
The ATF provides this appeal process for failed gun background checks:
- Contact www.fbi.gov/nics-appeals to get the reason for denial.
- Include these in your request:
- Your complete name
- Your complete mailing address
- Your NICS Transaction Number or State Transaction Number
- Wait for the Appeal Services Team’s reply.
- Challenge the cause of denial once you receive it by furnishing official and relevant proof, e.g. government documentation proving they have an incorrect record.