Some of the state's most prominent politicians and executives will be at the closing round of the Masters in Augusta on Sunday. And a gun control group is hoping that they'll take notice of a full-page ad in the Augusta Chronicle about controversial Georgia legislation.
The ad by Everytown for Gun Safety invoked Gov. Nathan Deal's veto last year of legislation that would legalize firearms on more places in college campuses - and urges him to do the same this time around. It quotes from his veto statement that found "overwhelming justification" would be needed to sign the law.
"Gov. Deal's words remain true in 2017," the ad said. "That justification didn't exist last year, and it doesn't exist now."
The governor nixed the legislation last year after lawmakers defied his personal request for changes that would make exceptions to the expansion, but said he was willing to reopen the debate as long as they acceded to his demands.
In a late compromise between House and Senate leaders, who cast the bill as a public safety imperative, lawmakers struck a deal to meet Deal's demands. The measure they passed was designed to bar guns from on-campus child care facilities, faculty and administrative office space, and disciplinary meetings. But critics say a grammatical problem could lead to significant legal issues.
Here's a copy of the ad, which will also run in the AJC's dead-tree editions later this week:
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