‘Campus Carry’ Legislation Gains Momentum In Georgia Senate
The University of Georgia North Campus green in Athens, Georgia on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. (Photo/Brenna Beech)
Students’ ability to carry guns on public college and university campuses is a step closer to becoming legal in Georgia after a Senate committee Monday approved “campus carry” legislation.
The bill makes exemptions for dorms, fraternity and sorority houses and sporting events, where weapons would not be allowed.
After hours of testimony last week, the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee voted to approve the measure and blocked a number of proposed changes from Democratic state Sen. Vincent Fort of Atlanta, including one that would have required training for students who want to carry guns on campus.
“The Republican Party is in the grips of a fringe element,” said Fort after the “campus carry” bill was approved by the committee, “the NRA and Georgia Carry,” two guns-rights groups.
“Guns save lives,” said Republican state Rep. Mandi Ballinger, a co-sponsor of the bill. “I think that Georgia weapons carrier permit holders are some of the most law-abiding citizens that we have in the state of Georgia … and it’s important for those people to be empowered to defend themselves,” she said.
The hearing Monday was filled with members of the gun safety group Moms Demand Action.
Carol Allen, a member of the group, said she will campaign against the senators who voted in support of the bill.
“These senators do not care about the citizens of this state. They don’t care at all. They don’t care what we think. They’re doing what they want. They are in the back pocket of the gun lobby,” Allen said.
Jerry Henry, executive director of GeorgiaCarry.org, was pleased the bill cleared the committee without any amendments.
“I don’t believe in training for exercising a constitutional right,” he said. “It’s your responsibility to teach your children how to use a firearm. That’s what I’ve done with my grandkids, and I would venture to guess that anybody in here that handles firearms has done the same thing.”
The University System of Georgia, and the presidents of schools including the University of Georgia, Georgia State and Georgia Tech say they’re opposed to the legislation.
Gov. Nathan Deal told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he supports the measure.
It was approved by the House earlier in the session, and if approved by the Senate Rules Committee will go to the floor of that chamber for a vote.
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