On March 11 the Georgia Senate concurred with House and passed legislation to allow concealed carry permit holders to carry their guns on Georgia college and university campuses for self-defense.
The Campus Carry legislation–House Bill 859–allows concealed carry permit holders to carry their guns on campus for self-defense in the same way they carry their guns at Starbucks, Walmart, Kroger, McDonald’s, and any number of other businesses and locations they frequent. The bill preserves prohibitions against concealed carry in fraternity and sorority houses, dormitories, and athletic events.
HB 859 passed the House on February 22. Governor Nathan Deal (R) spoke in favor of the measure as it transitioned into Senate hands. Deal said the opposition voiced against the measure by Democrats and gun control groups was “hype” and representative of the same failed arguments that were made against concealed carry in years gone by.
Prior to Senate passage on Friday, Senator Vincent Fort (D-39) spoke in opposition to HB 859, saying, “We are making officers less safe, that thin blue line is deteriorating.” He then suggested the Senate should listen to what elementary school students have to say about Campus Carry. Fort said, “The best amendments I’ve seen, are amendments that have been offered by 8th graders.” He then pointed to suggestions from 8th graders at Strong Rock Elementary school, those students said colleges should be able to ban and confiscate guns, that police should be able to check for gun permits, and that “all guns shall be registered with campus police.”
The Senate passed Campus Carry by a vote of 37-17.
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle (R) has already said he looks forward to attending the signing ceremony for Campus Carry.
AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.
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