Legislation that makes minor changes to a 2014 gun law received final passage in the Georgia Legislature on Thursday, without any of the changes Gov. Nathan Deal asked for.
House Bill 1060 is now on its way to Deal's desk. It was thought to be a potential vehicle for the changes Deal asked for to a bill passed earlier this year that would allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry weapons on college and university campuses.
HB 1060 was amended earlier by a Senate committee to include provisions from other minor guns bills that had been proposed this legislative session. One of those, known as the “Georgia Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination Act” prevents banks from refusing to offer financial services to firearms dealers strictly because of their industry.
The campus carry bill, HB 859, was passed earlier this session by both chambers. It would allow anyone 21 or older with a weapons license to carry a gun anywhere on a public college or university campus, except for inside dormitories, fraternities and sorority houses, and at athletic events. It also would mandate that the weapons be concealed, which adds a layer of safety, proponents say. Concealed carry permits require fingerprinting and background checks.
Last week, the governor said he wanted lawmakers to consider exempting on-campus child care centers from the "campus carry" legislation. Deal also expressed concerns about high school students who are joint-enrolled in college courses on campuses that would allow firearms.
Despite Deal's concerns — and opposition from a litany of Democratic lawmakers, college leaders and the faith community — House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, said this week that he expected no new legislation addressing the governor's concerns to move in the final two days of the legislative session.
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