Everytown, Georgia Moms: “A Shame for Student Safety” That Bill Forcing Guns on Campus Passes House Today
2.22.2016
HB 859, Passed by Georgia House Today, Would Defy 78 Percent of Georgians Who Oppose Legislation to Force Guns on College Campuses
On Wednesday, Moms Demand Action Volunteers Will Hold Lobby Day at the Capitol to Let Lawmakers Know that they do not Support Forcing Guns on Campus.
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement in response to the House’s passage of HB 859, which would force Georgia’s public colleges and universities to allow guns on campus, including in classrooms, libraries, and at most campus events, even at tailgates, defying the opposition of 78 percent of Georgians.
Last week, the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee snuck the bill onto the Committee’s agenda and passed it out of Committee with no prior public notice. The bill was placed on the agenda only 90 minutes before the hearing and there was no testimony from college safety officials, students, faculty, or university presidents.
“Passing legislation that forces our colleges and universities to allow anyone with a concealed carry permit to carry a gun on campus is a shame for student safety,” said Lindsey Donovan, volunteer Chapter Leader of the Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Once again, four out of five Georgians believe guns have no place on campus. We urge the Georgia Senate to reject this dangerous bill and to not add guns to environments rife with alcohol, drugs, and academic pressures.”
Earlier this month, members of the Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action dropped off nearly 2,000 petition signatures to lawmakers at the Capitol urging them to reject this bill. The Moms Demand Action volunteers—just a few of the more than 120,000 Everytown supporters in the state—delivered the simple message that the safety of students should come before the interests of the gun lobby. On Wednesday, February 24, Moms Demand Action volunteers will hold their Lobby Day at the Capitol to let lawmakers know that they do not support forcing guns onto campus.