ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp's support for "permit-less carry" legislation helped him emerge from a crowded Republican primary in 2018. But it took more than three years for Kemp to devote the political capital — and corral the votes — to pass the legislation.
Interviews with key legislators and GOP officials helped piece together how the legislation, which lets Georgians carry concealed handguns without a permit, crossed the finish line after years of gridlock that dates back decades.
The timing comes at a vital moment for Kemp, who is locked in a brutal GOP primary. His rival, former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, contends Kemp has waited too long to fulfill his pro-gun campaign promise, and credits his campaign for forcing the matter.
