Open Carry at NRA Meeting in Atlanta, 2025 ~ After Action Report Photos

AmmoLand ^ | April 30, 2025 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Open carry was observed and uncontroversial at the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta in 2025. It was a bit more common at the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta in 2017, as documented in AmmoLand News then. Georgia passed Constitutional Carry (permitless carry) in 2022.

Permitless carry applies to all lawful weapons carriers, as defined in Georgia code 16-11-125.1.

(2.1) “Lawful weapons carrier” means any person who is licensed or eligible for a license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-129 and who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a weapon or long gun, any resident of any other state who would otherwise be eligible to obtain a license pursuant to such Code section but for the residency requirement, and any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state.

Code Section 16-11-129 defines those who are not “lawful weapons carriers.” The largest group is most people under 21 years of age. The vast majority of adults in George qualify as “lawful weapons carriers.”

A more conventional open carry was observed as this individual was leaving the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) during the NRA Annual Meeting in 2025.

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: atlanta; banglist; nra; opencarry

[marktwain]

Not as much open carry was observed in 2025 as was seen in 2017. Once Georgia passed permitless carry in 2022, the need for open carry may have been reduced.

[marktwain]

[FreedomPoster]

I see people open carrying with standard Glock sleeve (non-retention) holsters, and frankly I think them idiots. I do keep that to myself face-face.

I assume that is some sort of retention mechanism there in the kydex.

[T-Bird45]

“ I assume that is some sort of retention mechanism there in the kydex.”

That’s the Blackhawk Serpa holster with the outside release lever, long-derided by many firearms experts for putting the index finger in a poor position as regards keeping the finger off the trigger until the weapon is indexed on the target. Basically, it is a retention holster that can cause bad safety technique & could result in a negligent discharge.

[bk1000]

Open carry makes non-gun people nervous. Right or wrong, it does.

[Resolute Conservative]

This gym needs less curly fries and more gym time.

[riverrunner]

Only one that we know that that started all the halablew.

Pushed by the never anything bad can happen crowd.

[riverrunner]

So they get nervous.

It also can be used as a education tool.

[Glennb51]

Blackhawk has a holster that looks similar, but has a thumb release, much like my duty holster. I went to it because of muscle memory.

[No.6]

Alas, agreed. Love that Glock “sport combat” holster for range or competition use.

Generally I disfavor open carry as it’s a sign to any potential criminal to grab it or shoot this guy first… at the NRA convention sure. Then, though, it’s there as bling so make a good impression and carry with quality.

[Ex-Con777]

No report of how many people were uselessly slaughtered by the guns. With that many guns, one of them had to have jumped up and shot someone. /s

EC