Legislation that would allow guns on college campuses in Georgia is a step closer to becoming law.
HB 859, sponsored by Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper), could get to the Senate floor as early as this week after the 5-3 “do-pass” recommendation out the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday afternoon. The recommendation came after the committee voted down five proposed amendments presented by bill opponent Sen. Vincent Fort, and was along partisan lines. One of the amendments called for required training for anyone carrying concealed weapons on campus, while another called for a referendum for carrying weapons on campus.
The committee did not hear any public input prior to the vote Monday. Chairman Sen. John McKoon (R-Columbus) reminded the packed crowd that the committee heard more than three hours of comments during a meeting last week. Among those speaking in opposition to the bill during that hearing was Chancellor Hank Huckaby — who expressed concerns about the maturity of the students and safety on the state’s campuses.
“This bill is about personal safety,” said Jasperse, who presented the bill along with Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton). “This bill gets down to one thing — who’s really at risk here, and it is the students.”
“There is a lot of anger and a lot of fear, but I feel like we are more about empowering students to be able to take responsibility for their personal safety,” Ballinger added.
The Campus Carry would allow anybody 21 years or older with a gun carry permit to carry a concealed pistol on campuses of public colleges – except in student housing or at athletic events.
Currently, seven states now allow people to carry concealed weapons on college campuses, including: Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin. Georgia is one of 19 states that currently ban concealed weapons on campuses.
If the bill passes the Senate without changes prior to the March 24 final date of the session, the measure would go to Gov. Nathan Deal, who has voiced support for the legislation.
