A call to expand gun rights in Georgia will go before state lawmakers this year. One bill could revive the debate on allowing guns to be carried on college campuses.
As a leader of Georgia Tech Students for Concealed Carry, Robert Eagar says he's optimistic about a measure removing restrictions on carrying firearms on college campuses.
His group began calling for the change to state law following armed robberies of students.
"If they believe that they're capable of defending themselves, they should have that right," said Eager.
A so-called "campus carry" bill is one of four measures removing gun restrictions planned by newly-elected state Rep. Charles Gregory of Kennesaw. He told FOX 5's Paul Yates by phone that he's "just trying to do what's right." Gun control, he said, "doesn't work."
Measures to expand gun rights failed in the last state legislative session. This year's General Assembly begins on Monday.
After the deadly Connecticut school shootings last month, Alice Johnson, the head of Georgians for Gun Safety predicted the demise of gun expansion measures.
"I think the concealed carry in schools, on college campuses is a dead issue at this point," Johnson said on Dec. 19.
But the student group sees a different outcome.
"We think this is a very likely year to see it passing. We've been very close in the past and we feel that we might have the final steps to push forward this year," said Eager.
Another state lawmaker plans a bill allowing school administrators to carry guns if their local school board approves.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:54 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:54:13 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, telling graduates to take the power of their example-- as black men graduating from college-- and use it to improve people's lives.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:53:40 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has made a commencement address in Georgia since 1938. See photos from his visit to Atlanta here!
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
