The Georgia House of Representatives took a big step forward in the “right to carry” debate. Legislators passed a bill that allows students to carry guns pretty much anywhere on Georgia college campuses. State Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Georgia) dubbed the bill the state’s Campus Safety Act.
“It is a real word solution to a real world problem,” Jasperse told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The proposed law would allow anyone 21 or older with a weapon’s license to carry on any public college. The bill excludes dormitories, fraternities, sororities and athletic events. The Board of Regents’ and other gun safety groups are fighting back hard.
“The flawed argument for expanding ‘campus carry’ laws — that ‘only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun’ — mistakenly assumes the average licenses carrier, in this case, college students, can conduct themselves with the tactical judgement and execution we expect from highly trained law enforcement officers,” Alexander Evans, an Emory University student wrote in an editorial.
The NRA is thrilled by this development, of course.”Georgia Weapons License holders do not present a threat to public safety, they are one of the most law-abiding segments of the population,” the NRA statement said.
According to a state by state map compiled by CouncealedCampus.org, most states prohibit guns on campus or have some kind of restrictions.
The bill now goes to the Georgia Senate for consideration.
[h/t AJC, image via Shutterstock]
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
Follow Law&Crime:
