Georgia SB499: Dangerous Instrumentalities and Practices; prohibition on possessing a silencer; repeal

What the bill says

To amend Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dangerous instrumentalities and practices, so as to repeal the prohibition on possessing a silencer; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

From the introduced text:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dangerous instrumentalities and practices, so as to repeal the prohibition on possessing a silencer; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dangerous instrumentalities and practices, is amended in Part 2, relating to possession of dangerous weapons, by repealing paragraph (7) of Code Section 16-11-121, relating to definitions relative to possession of dangerous weapons. SECTION 2. Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-122, relating to possession of sawed-off shotgun or rifle, machine gun, silencer, or dangerous weapon prohibited, as follows: S. B. 499 (SUB) LC 48 1836S "16-11-122. No person shall have in his or her possession any sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, or dangerous weapon, or silencer except as provided in Code Section 16-11-124." SECTION 3. Said article is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 16-11-123, relating to unlawful possession of firearms or weapons, as …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Jason Ridley (R, HD-006) · primary sponsor
• Frank Ginn (R, 47) · primary sponsor
• Larry Walker (R, 20)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, 31)
• Shawn Still (R, 48)
• Chuck Payne (R, 54)
• Carden Summers (R, 13)
• Steve Gooch (R, 51)
• Mike Hodges (R, 3)
• Billy Hickman (R, 4)
• Ed Setzler (R, 37)
• Dickerson, Jason T. (R, 21)

Latest actions

1. March 19, 2026: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2. March 10, 2026: House Second Readers
3. March 9, 2026: House First Readers
4. March 6, 2026: Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
5. March 6, 2026: Senate Third Read
6. March 6, 2026: Senate Taken from Table
7. March 6, 2026: Senate Tabled
8. March 4, 2026: Senate Read Second Time
9. March 3, 2026: Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
10. February 12, 2026: Senate Read and Referred

Votes

• Senate Vote #686 (March 6, 2026): 30 yea, 20 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB499?

SB499 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Dangerous Instrumentalities and Practices; prohibition on possessing a silencer; repeal.

What does SB499 do?

In its own words: To amend Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dangerous instrumentalities and practices, so as to repeal the prohibition on possessing a silencer; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

What is the status of SB499?

Passed one chamber as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (March 19, 2026).

Who sponsored SB499?

Jason Ridley (R, HD-006), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB499?

On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73161