FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Atlanta, GA) –  Yesterday afternoon, the Georgia State Senate Judiciary Committee voted in favor of HB 859, legislation that will force the state’s public colleges and universities to allow the concealed carry of firearms by license holders on many parts of campus.

The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus issued the following statement in response to the Senate Judiciary Vote:

“Yesterday’s vote came despite strong, vocal opposition from students, faculty members and higher education officials around the state.  Again, this is another example of gun lobby-backed legislators who are willing to compromise the safety of students, faculty, administrators, staff, and visitors on college campuses in order to appease the Georgia gun lobby.

HB 859, sponsored by the Rep. Rick Jasperse and Rep. Mandi Ballinger, would allow concealed weapons license holders to carry a concealed gun anywhere on a public college or university campus, including classrooms, libraries, research facilities, student health centers and gyms. Dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses, and athletic events are exempt.

Gov. Deal has publicly stated that he will sign HB 859 if it reaches his desk, which basically guarantees that this legislation will become law.  The Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus views campus carry legislation as a deliberate act to remove local control from higher education officials who we believe are in the best position to determine what appropriate measures must be taken to preserve the safety, security, and academic environment of their schools.  In addition, we firmly believe that the presence of concealed firearms will only increase the public safety risk to campus communities and are inappropriate in an educational setting. We will continue to vigorously oppose HB 859 in the Senate and call for a veto if it reaches the Governor’s desk”.

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ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN TO KEEP GUNS OFF CAMPUS

The Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus was founded in 2008 to urge colleges and universities to band together to oppose the gun lobby’s agenda to push loaded, concealed guns onto college campuses. To date, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and more than 420 colleges and universities in 42 states have joined the Campaign. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

Contacts:

Kathryn Grant, Southeast Region Director, [email protected]
Andy Pelosi, Executive Director,  [email protected]  (914-629-6726)