GA Governor Deal Signs Limited Campus Carry Bill

[redlevel]

Governor Deal signs Campus Carry bill | WSB-TV

Of course, it is not enough for some pro-2nd Amendment groups.

Antis are predicting blood flowing on GA campuses.

Gov. Deal signed into law a very sweeping pro-gun bill a few years back. Y'all might remember
the " Guns Everywhere" bill. He doesn't get much credit from the pro-gun groups in Georgia.
A good many of them didn't support him in his reelection bid.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

The "antis" always say it's going to turn into the "wild wild west" or it's going to be a "blood bath" in the streets. Or in this case, on the campus. Never has turned out that way.

 

[DWalt]

The "antis" always say it's going to turn into the "wild wild west" or it's going to be a "blood bath" in the streets. Or in this case, on the campus. Never has turned out that way.

Or more commonly, "It'll turn our towns into Dodge City."

 

[Watchdog]

I suppose this is a good thing, but the law is so restrictive that I don't see it as that much of a step forward.

Quoting from a news article yesterday (bold print is mine):

" But Deal said in a written message Thursday evening that he was swayed by exclusions that lawmakers wrote into House Bill 280, adding places on campus where even people with state-issued permits won't be allowed to carry concealed handguns.

These include preschools, faculty or administrative offices, disciplinary hearings, and areas where high schoolers take classes. 'These excluded areas represent the most 'sensitive places' on a college campus,' Deal wrote. 'It is altogether appropriate that weapons not be allowed in these areas.' Other places where concealed handguns remain prohibited include dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses, and buildings used for athletic events."

I haven't given this a lot of thought, but admit that it has me wondering just where students can carry or possess a handgun on campus. And if they have a handgun in their possession, what will they do with it upon entering an area on campus where guns are not allowed?

Governor Deal, by the way, plans to retire next year.

 

[427mach1]

I agree, Watchdog, too many restricted areas. Where are students supposed to store their weapons if the dorms are gun-free? It would have been easier to list the areas they can carry, the list would have been a lot shorter.

 

[Watchdog]

I agree, Watchdog, too many restricted areas. Where are students supposed to store their weapons if the dorms are gun-free? It would have been easier to list the areas they can carry, the list would have been a lot shorter.

It's hard to keep my comments focused entirely on the bill and its wording. And let's note that this bill doesn't affect only students...it applies to administrators, support personnel, and professors as well.

This really just seems to me to be some sort of an appeasement bill...an attempt to fool Georgia 2A advocates into thinking they've accomplished something in hopes that they'll shut up for a while.

To deny school administrators the right to carry in their lounges and offices, to deny professors the right to carry in their classrooms in order to possibly protect students (or themselves), while still touting this as a successful "campus carry" law is simply ludicrous.

I don't understand this line of thought on the part of Georgia's legislators, and I have a hard time seeing this as any sort of "victory" for Georgia's 2A advocates.

What am I missing here?

 

[427mach1]

Will general classroom carry be allowed? What is meant by "not apply to any room or space used for classes related to a college and career academy or other specialized school"? I think it is referring to special classes that might have high school or younger students in attendance but some clarification is needed.

 

[Watchdog]

Will general classroom carry be allowed? What is meant by "not apply to any room or space used for classes related to a college and career academy or other specialized school"?

Don't know. I don't live in Georgia. And I wouldn't even attempt to interpret this law the way it's written now.

If I were you...since you do live there...and if this will affect you in any way, I'd be doing all I could to find out what's legal and what isn't.

I don't think you'll find the answers on an Internet forum, though.

That's pretty much it from me on this thread.

 

[TeaDub]

It's hard to keep my comments focused entirely on the bill and its wording. And let's note that this bill doesn't affect only students...it applies to administrators, support personnel, and professors as well.

This really just seems to me to be some sort of an appeasement bill...an attempt to fool Georgia 2A advocates into thinking they've accomplished something in hopes that they'll shut up for a while.

To deny school administrators the right to carry in their lounges and offices, to deny professors the right to carry in their classrooms in order to possibly protect students (or themselves), while still touting this as a successful "campus carry" law is simply ludicrous.

I don't understand this line of thought on the part of Georgia's legislators, and I have a hard time seeing this as any sort of "victory" for Georgia's 2A advocates.

What am I missing here?

The Legislature was trying to overcome some of the "reasons" that Governor Deal used to veto a similar bill last year. Deal is, on a good day, only luke warm in his support for the Second Amendment.

One positive aspect of the new law is a conviction for breaking a location rule (by a permit holder) is mandated to only be a small fine. No term of confinement is allowed on conviction.

Perfect? Far from it. It was all that would be signed by our lame duck Governor. In my view, it is a Baby Step forward. Better than standing still or going backward.

BTW, Deal's likely successor is Lt Gov Cagle. He seems more anti-gun than the current occupant of the governor's mansion.

 

[PPS1980]

As a Georgian who helped in his own small way to lobby for the bill's passage let me correct a few things.

First, this bill applies to everyone, Georgian or not, with a Georgia recognized weapons license - not merely to faculty, staff, and students. Why is this important? Because the University of Georgia system is the single largest landowner in the state of Georgia. In the past many were committing felonys without even realizing it, even in places like downtown Atlanta. Additionally, carrying in your car is no longer a crime with a weapons license on U property - so now citizens can remain armed if they are going to pass through a U property or park.

Second, this opens up a lot of places on University land. Yes, the provisions about offices and High School students are complete BS and we know it. But, over the past 8 years the incremental progress in Georgia has resulted in huge cumulative gains for Freedom. This bill is a compromise, but it is an outright victory for 2A proponents - particularly given how much out-of-state lobbying money was pumped into the effort to stop it.

Third, the Regents of the U system have come out with their guidance on implementation of the new law. It is incredibly even-handed and MUCH more reasonable than any of us had any reason to expect.

Finally, this was not the only 2A bill in Georgia this past session. HB292 also was signed and cleans up language, extends the length of prohibited knives from 5in to 12in, allows for a 90 day changeover period for those moving into the state with a valid CCL elsewhere, and other odds and ends.

For more accurate and timely information I invite you to visit the Georgia Carry Organization website (they got all this moving, not NRA unfortunately).
Georgia Carry : An information clearinghouse for Georgia Firearms License issues and news

 

[redlevel]

Deal is, on a good day, only luke warm in his support for the Second Amendment.

Deal signed into law what was one of the most sweeping pro-gun bills in the
United States; The so-called "Guns Everywhere" bill. Contrary to your statement, he has
been a very pro-2nd Amendment Governor. I would bet that gun owners and enthusiasts in
at least 38-40 other states wish they had Governor Deal rather than their current governor.

Read PPS1980s post above for the true story on the latest bill.

 

[TeaDub]

Deal signed into law what was one of the most sweeping pro-gun bills in the
United States; The so-called "Guns Everywhere" bill. Contrary to your statement, he has
been a very pro-2nd Amendment Governor. I would bet that gun owners and enthusiasts in
at least 38-40 other states wish they had Governor Deal rather than their current governor.

Read PPS1980s post above for the true story on the latest bill.

I agree that there are worse Governors than Deal on 2nd Amendment issues. I'd submit that it is House Speaker Ralston (with others) that have brought strong Bills to the Governor's desk. Without that, I'd expect very little noise about gun rights.

Deal vetoed a better campus carry bill last year because the House refused to accommodate his wish to keep "gun free spaces". Likewise he vetoed another bill for the same reasons (HB 1060) in regards to places of worship.

In both vetoes, Deal expressed his desire to keep "sensitive places shielded from weapons". That language is consistent with Bloomberg, et al. As if the criminals will care. Only the law-abiding are disarmed.

Read the veto statements here. Numbers 9 & 12 are the ones. The language he uses is telling.

Deal issues 2016 veto statements | Governor Nathan Deal Office of the Governor

The bill in this thread was only signed after House and Senate republicans agreed to the Governor's demands to significantly weaken the language. The Legislature wasn't fighting the democrats, they were fighting the republican Governor.


As to "Guns everywhere"? Don't forget the slight of hand practiced by Deal. In 2014 it passed along with HB 826. Immediately after that one passed, 2nd Amendment advocates rejoiced because K-12 school carry was to be enacted. The Governor thought differently. To be certain, he then signed HB 826 first, followed by HB 60. Any conflicts between the two gave power to HB 60. The "rules" bureaucrats then interpreted nearly every vestige of HB 826 as in "conflict" and removed them. Again, it kept the Governor's "gun free" zones intact.

I don't hate Governor Deal. As a state, we have advanced in our 2nd amendment freedoms. We could have traveled much further if he would quit fighting our Legislature. There are other examples of his being "luke warm" if you care to dig.