Georgia Senate considers bill to repeal suppressor ban and classify devices as dangerous weapons

State Sen. Frank Ginn has introduced a bill in the Georgia Senate that would regulate firearm suppressors under the same statutes as other dangerous weapons, according to the Georgia State Senate.

The measure, designated SB499, was put forward on Wednesday, Feb. 11 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly. Its formal description is: ‘Dangerous Instrumentalities and Practices; prohibition on possessing a silencer; repeal.’

This summary is based on the official bill language and may offer interpretation to clarify specific sections.

The bill would remove Georgia’s broad prohibition on possessing firearm suppressors—also known as silencers—and place them within regulations for other dangerous weapons. It modifies definitions and sets new possession offenses, treating silencers similarly to sawed-off shotguns, sawed-off rifles, machine guns and other classified weapons, including a 5-year prison sentence for unlawful possession. Exemptions remain and are clarified for law enforcement, the military, certain inoperative or federally registered weapons, and nuclear facility security officers, while retaining stricter penalties for using silencers while committing specific crimes.

Sen. Ed Setzler (Republican-37th), Sen. Lee Anderson (Republican-24th), and Sen. Steve Gooch (Republican-51st), along with 13 additional co-sponsors, have signed on to the bill.

Since the start of the session, Ginn has introduced two other pieces of legislation, with one being enacted.

Ginn earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia in 1985.

Ginn, a Republican, was first elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2011 and serves the 47th District. He succeeded Ralph Hudgens.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a legislator, often prompted by a constituent, collaborates with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. Once filed with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, it receives a first reading and is sent to a committee where most of the review occurs. If the committee approves, the bill goes to the floor for debate and a third reading before a vote. Both legislative chambers must pass the bill, and differing versions go to a conference committee. After passage, the governor has six days during the session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for 40 days starting the second Monday in January.

Details for this article were sourced from the Georgia State Senate. Source data is available here.