Other states’ laws more permissive

“Georgia has the most lax gun laws in the nation.” Georgia Sen. Donzella James

James, a self-described gun owner and Democrat who represents portions of Douglas and Fulton counties, made this claim earlier this month during a discussion of a Senate bill that loosens some of the state’s gun laws.

Some gun control organizations regularly rank each state based on its gun laws. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence gave Georgia an 8 on a scale of 100 in terms of the toughness of its gun laws in 2011. Twenty-seven states received lower scores that year. Georgia also scored an 8 in 2009. There were nearly 20 states that received a lower score.

The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence gave Georgia a D for the toughness of its gun control laws. Twenty states received an F from the group.

From our review, Georgia is considered to have some lax gun laws. It’s possible from some of the changes proposed, Georgia could score lower in the future. But, for now, there are other states that are far more permissive.

We rated James’ statement False.

James