A bill that would allow guns onto any college campus in Georgia’s public university system passed through the Georgia Senate on Tuesday, March 28. The bill survived a crucial vote to keep it alive in the final days of the legislative session.
The bill, officially House Bill 280, would allow anyone who owns a concealed weapons permit to carry their firearms onto public college campuses. The exceptions to this bill include the dorms, fraternity and sorority houses, athletic buildings, on-campus child care centers, and any areas that high school students attend class.
Via AJC:
This is the fifth year in a row the Legislature has considered such a measure. Last year’s legislation got as far as Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk before he vetoed it, citing concerns that it was both too broad and that campuses have historically been gun-free to promote learning.
Deal has also called for excluding campus discipline hearings and administrative and professor offices from the proposal, but lawmakers so far have not added those exclusions.With just two days left in this year’s legislative session, officials say lawmakers are negotiating with Deal’s office over a potential compromise before the session is gaveled to a close Thursday.
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Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said the following after the bill vote passed:
“Frequently, invisible lines distinguish our college and university campuses from other properties — but we should never allow these overlapping boundaries to deny us our constitutional rights. This thoughtful compromise protects the fundamental right to lawfully carry, which belongs to all Georgians.”
According to Georgia law, those seeking a state concealed carry permit must be at least 21 years old and they must also be fingerprinted, as well as pass a background check.
