The Georgia Senate gave final passage to a bill that for the first time would legalize firearms on all public colleges in Georgia.
House Bill 859 now goes to the desk of Gov. Nathan Deal, who with a sweep of his pen can sign the measure into law, reported the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
The legislation would allow anyone 21 or older with a weapons license to carry a gun anywhere on a public college or university campus, except for inside dormitories, fraternities and sorority houses, and at athletic events, the report said.
HB 859 also would mandate that those weapons be concealed since Georgia requires gun owners to apply for gun “carry” permits that include fingerprinting and background checks, the report said.
If it becomes law, the bill would make Georgia the ninth state to allow campus carry, with nearly two dozen others allowing individual schools to decide. Supporters of the legislation have also linked their effort to the safety of students, noting events such as recent robberies at Georgia State University’s downtown Atlanta campus library that is only steps from the state Capitol.
