How to Dispose of a Gun Legally in Georgia

To lawfully dispose of a firearm in Georgia, you may sell it through a federally licensed service like GunBuyback.org, turn it in to local law enforcement, or destroy it using a method approved by the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives).

Get Rid of Your Gun in Georgia with GunBuyback.org

If you want to legally get rid of a firearm in Georgia while receiving compensation, GunBuyback.org offers a safe and licensed solution. You can begin by submitting your firearm information through our gun submission form.

You can submit gun collections and individual firearms. Once we receive your submission, we’ll send a fair market offer. If you accept, we’ll issue a prepaid shipping label and manage the entire process.

As a federal firearms licensee or FFL, we ensure full compliance with ATF regulations and Georgia law.

How to Legally Destroy the Firearm

ATF regulations require the destruction of the receiver to ensure a gun is permanently disabled. Acceptable ATF-compliant destruction methods include:

• Melting down the receiver
• Shredding it using industrial machinery
• Crushing it with hydraulic equipment
• Torch-cutting the receiver into at least three pieces in specific locations, based on firearm type

What Penalties Exist for Improper Gun Disposal in Georgia?

Georgia law does not contain a specific statute for improper firearm disposal. However, careless disposal could lead to charges under OCGA § 16-5-60 for reckless endangerment.

To avoid any legal risk, firearms should be sold, surrendered, or destroyed using lawful and verifiable means.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to notify authorities when disposing of a gun?

There is no Georgia law requiring you to inform authorities when destroying or selling a firearm. However, if you plan to turn a firearm in to the police, contact them first to arrange a safe and approved surrender procedure.

Can I sell my gun legally for disposal?

In Georgia, you can legally sell a firearm to dispose of it. Just make sure the buyer is legally allowed to possess firearms or is a licensed service like GunBuyback.org.

Are there local programs for gun buyback?

Local gun buybacks are uncommon in Georgia, though large cities like Atlanta or Savannah may occasionally offer limited-time events. For a consistent and legal solution, GunBuyback.org provides a year-round service for firearm disposal across the state.

How should I prepare a gun for disposal?

Follow these preparation steps depending on your chosen disposal method:

• For destruction: Unload the firearm completely. Use ATF-specified destruction methods or contract a certified facility.
• For law enforcement surrender: Never carry a gun into a station unannounced. Call ahead and follow their specific intake procedures.
• For GunBuyback.org: Submit your firearm details through our form. Once you accept our offer, we’ll send full shipping instructions and a prepaid label.

What documents are required for gun disposal?

No state documentation is required to destroy or surrender a firearm in Georgia.

What happens if the gun owner dies?

In Georgia, firearms can pass to heirs through a will or estate. However, the heir must be legally eligible to own firearms under state and federal law.

To learn more, see our full guide on disposing of a firearm inheritance in Georgia.

Disclaimer: The information supplied here is designed to be informative, but does not constitute legal advice. Laws change regularly and these pages are not updated often enough to guarantee accuracy at all times. Please see a lawyer if you need precise legal counsel.