House files gun bill to loosen restrictions in Georgia

House leaders filed a bill Tuesday proposing to widely expand access to guns in Georgia, including in bars and churches.

As they promised, House Bill 875 does not specifically allow students to carry guns on college campuses. However, it provides what could be meant as a stick in the eye of college leaders: Getting caught with a gun on campus would no longer be a crime but instead would cost someone a simple $100 fine.

The bill would loosen restrictions on access to government buildings by licensed weapons holders. It would also provide stricter mental health rules for Georgians who want to carry a concealed weapon.