On February 26, Governor Nathan Deal (R) said the arguments being propounded against campus carry in Georgia are part of the same “hype” concealed carry opponents put forth in 2014.
Governor Deal was joined by House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), who also defended the bill.
Deal said opponents of being armed for self-defense suggested the 2014 law expanding concealed carry would lead to “a Wild West scenario” that never materialized, yet they are making the same predictions now that campus carry has momentum. He said the fact that the arguments have been heard before and proven inaccurate is sufficient reason to reject them now that they are being used to try to keep college students defenseless.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Speaker Ralston’s spokesman Kaleb McMichen said, “The Speaker ardently supports the rights of law-abiding Georgians to protect themselves and enjoy outdoor pursuits like hunting and shooting sports. The House Republican Caucus remains committed to protecting the interests of responsible gun owners and we encourage the Senate to consider and pass the Campus Safety Act and get it to Governor Deal’s desk.”
Last week, Breitbart News quoted sources that indicate Lt. Governor Casey Cagle may have plans to torpedo the campus carry legislation in the Senate. When asked about the Lt. Governor’s position on campus carry, spokesman Adam Sweat said Cagle “supports Georgians’ gun rights and freedoms,” but said there would be no comment on Cagle’s position on campus carry until the bill made its way to the Senate.
The Campus Safety Act moved from the GA House to the Senate for consideration on Monday.
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.