Campus Carry Bill Becomes Law In Georgia

ATLANTA, GA -- Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday signed into law a bill that would allow weapons carry license holders to carry firearms in specific and limited areas on college campuses.

Gov. Deal's signature follows his 2016 veto of H.B. 859, a similar bill passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2016.

Last year's legislation, Deal's office said, failed to address the governor's concerns about prohibiting firearms in places such as preschools, disciplinary hearings or faculty administrative offices. Those gaps led to the governor's veto.

H.B. 280 maintains the same stipulations outlined in the 2016 bill, and also addresses areas of campus Deal previously raised concerns about, along with additional areas of college campuses where weapons would not be permitted.

“It is altogether appropriate that weapons not be allowed in sensitive areas on college campuses, and I appreciate the thoughtful consideration given by the General Assembly in expanding these excluded areas within a college campus in this year’s bill,” said Deal. “While H.B. 280 addresses the rights and restrictions relating to weapons carry license holders on a college campus, it in effect may have greater significance for students who are going to or coming from a campus. Unfortunately, in parts of the state, the path to higher education travels through dangerous territory.

Deal notes that assailants can currently target students, knowing that they are not allowed to "carry protection" because they are either coming to or going from areas of a campus where no weapons are allowed.

"In recent years, we’ve witnessed college students fall victim to violent attacks in or while traveling to libraries and academic buildings, and while traveling to and from their homes to class," he added.

H.B. 280 prohibits the carrying of a concealed weapon by anyone, including weapons carry license holders, on the following areas of a college campus:

• Buildings or property used for athletic sporting events;
• Student housing, including but not limited to dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses;
• Any preschool or childcare space;
• Any room or space being used for classes related to a college and career academy or other specialized school;
• Any room or space used for classes in which high school students are enrolled through a dual enrollment program, including, but not limited to, classes related to the “Move on When Ready Act”;
• Any faculty, staff, or administrative offices; and
• Rooms where disciplinary proceedings are conducted.

Tell us: what do you think of Georgia's campus carry legislation becoming law?

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