Universities line up against gun bill

By Ernie Suggs

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh’s bill that he says will clarify existing rules as to where licensed owners can carry their guns is finding a formidable adversary: the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents.

Tom Daniel, senior vice chancellor with the University System, said state schools promise a safe working environment to students and faculty members. Seabaugh’s bill would alter that, Daniel said.

“Our classrooms are meant to be places of learning, debate, dialogue and disagreement," Daniel said. "We don’t need firearms introduced into that environment.”

Twenty-six university presidents signed a letter given to the Senate Special Judiciary Committee urging lawmakers to keep the law as it is now. Currently, guns are banned within 1,000 feet of college campuses. A substitute bill by Seabaugh includes college classrooms and research facilities as prohibited areas to carry a gun. It would allow universities to determine whether people with permits would be allowed to carry guns into an athletic event.

Seabaugh (R- Sharpsburg) said he was “perplexed and disappointed” with the regents' position. He said that after speaking with University System officials, he included language they said they wanted in the bill.

Monday’s hearing did not include a vote on whether to send the bill to the Senate floor. Instead, Seabaugh fielded questions about the substitute bill. Several people, for and against the bill, testified.

Seabaugh said the bill includes:

• Clear definitions of unauthorized locations, including places of worship and bars unless they chose to permit guns.

• Clearer penalties for infractions of carry laws.

Among the bill's most ardent supporters were members of the clergy because it would give them the right to arm themselves.

The Rev. Jonathan Wilkins, pastor of Baptist Tabernacle in Thomaston, said churches are growing fearful of armed men without permits opening fire in a church. He said churches need men in them who will protect worshippers.

“It should be up to the church," he said. "It is not the state or anyone else’s business.”

The most vocal opponent on the committee was Sen. Donzella James (D-College Park). She reminded the committee that Martin Luther King Jr.’s mother, Alberta King, was gunned down in a church.

Seabaugh noted that the man who killed Alberta King, Marcus Wayne Chenault, was deranged and did not have a gun permit. His bill would still make it illegal for deranged people to own guns, as well as minors, illegal immigrants and convicted felons.

James remained opposed.

“Public safety is still No. 1 with me," she said. "This bill gives people the right to carry guns in places where we have had so many incidents of death. This is not the wild, wild West. But they're trying to make it the wild, wild South.”