A bill that would allow anyone with a carry permit to have a concealed weapon on college campuses across the state passed the House Monday.
The 113-59 vote for approval came after nearly 90 minutes of debate on Rep. Rick Jasperse’s Campus Safety Act. As approved today, HB 859, would allow anyone 21 or older with a weapons license to carry a gun on any public college or university campus in the state with the exception of dormitories, sorority and fraternity houses and athletic events. In Georgia, in order to get a license to carry weapon, applicants must be at least 21 years old, and undergo a background check.
The bill now goes to the Senate. If the bill is approved by the Senate, Georgia would become the 10th state to adopt a version of the campus carry law. Other states include: Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Idaho, Wisconsin and Utah.
“House Bill 859 is simply providing responsible Georgians, who have gone through the licensure process to obtain a weapons carry permit, the ability to carry their weapon in certain places on their college campuses,” Jasperse said in a prepared press release. “In today’s world, it’s a must.”
“This is a constitutional right and a very important safety measure for all of our citizens. By enacting this legislation, I believe, like statistics have shown, that we will see a reduction in the number of violent crimes on our campuses. The right to bear arms is one of our most important and sacred rights as U.S. citizens and those rights shouldn’t end when a student steps onto a college campus.”
“We can put our heads in the sand and say nothing is happening; but the numbers don’t lie,” he added.
Several of those speaking in favor of the bill referred to recent robberies in the library at Georgia State University in Atlanta.
“People are being robbed at gunpoint in college buildings on college campuses,” said Rep. Heath Clark (R-Warner Robins). “What we’re voting on today is to allow law abiding citizens the opportunity to defend themselves on college campuses.”
However, House Democrats opposed the bill, arguing that would allow weapons with no instruction, no training, no supervision,” according to Rep. Virgil Fludd (D-Tyrone).
The Board of Regents has voiced strong opposition to the bill, and has previously blocked other attempts at similar legislation. In 2014, the House voted to legalize campus carry under the
“Guns Everywhere Bill, but the language allowing concealed weapons on campuses was pulled out by the Senate.
