Georgia Campus Carry Bill – Student Guidance and Education
- Date of implementation July 1, 2017
- Break down elements of Ga. statute 16-11-127.1
1. Must be 21 or over (unless an active member of the military)
2. Applies to anyone on campus-- student, faculty, staff, contractor or visitor
3. Applies only to handguns (revolvers and pistols)
4. Must have valid GA Weapons Carry License (WCL) or a weapons carry license or permit from a reciprocal state provided that the license carrier is not a resident of GA. If they become a GA resident they must obtain a GA carry license (active military exception)
5. Locations authorized:
-In any building or on real property (buildings or land) owned or leased by the college, unless specifically prohibited below
6. Locations prohibited
- Any buildings or property used for athletic sporting events (while athletic event is occurring)
- Student housing (includes fraternity and sorority houses)
- Preschool or childcare spaces (defined as separated by electronic mechanism or human - staffed point of controlled access)
- College and Career Academies
- Classes w/dual enrollment students (defined as the space or room being currently used for dual enrollment instruction)
- Faculty, staff or administrative offices
- Rooms where disciplinary hearings are conducted
7. Must be concealed
- Concealed defined—carried in such a fashion it does not actively solicit the attention of others… is not openly and intentionally displayed. Substantially covered by an article of clothing, or carried within a bag of nondescript nature
Additional Points for Consideration:
- It is incumbent upon the weapons carry license holder to know the law and follow it at all times.
- It is the responsibility of the license holder/gun owner to ensure that they have received gun safety training on proper loading, use and carry (including concealed carry) of a firearm. Colleges (including their police or security departments) will not provide firearms training to anyone other than employed sworn police officers.
- Active Shooter training is provided to all students and employees. In the event of an active shooter type occurrence, police will respond with the intent of locating and stopping the threat. It is the responsibility of the licensed carrier to clearly identify themselves and immediately obey all instructions given by law enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Where can weapons be secured when not being carried on campus by permit holder? The gun owner’s vehicle. Schools will not provide weapons storage facilities.
- How will anyone know whether a class has dual enrollment students in it? It is incumbent upon the licensed carrier to determine when these conditions exist and not violate the law. Students may ask their fellow classmates if anyone is a dual enrollment or high school student, however, fellow students are not required to identify themselves as dual enrollment or high school student.
- What is penalty for violation? See OGCA 16-11-127.1. If the violator has a valid carry license, on first offense, the penalty is a misdemeanor and a $25 fine. If the violator does not have a carry license the charge is a felony.
- Can law enforcement ask to see weapon carry license at any time? Law enforcement may not detain an individual for the sole purpose of asking if they have a carry license or requesting to view it.
- Must the permit be on your person while carrying? Yes
- Does it apply to any area where a student conduct hearing may occur or has occurred? It applies to any area where a student conduct hearing is occurring or will occur in the immediate future.
- What happens when high school (or younger) students are in common areas? The prohibition only applies to areas in current use for instruction of students who are dual enrollment. Common areas where these students may be present are not covered.