Lawmaker Wants to Allow Guns on Ga. Tech Campus
Updated: Tuesday, 15 Nov 2011, 6:37 AM EST
Published : Monday, 14 Nov 2011, 10:29 PM EST
Justin
Gray
By MYFOXATLANTA STAFF/myfoxatlanta
ATLANTA - An alleged rape on the Georgia Tech campus last week combined with a series of armed robberies this school year are adding new urgency to an old question: how to protect students. A state lawmaker says allowing guns on campus could be part of the solution.
Over the past few years, bills that would have allowed guns on college campuses have been proposed but failed in Georgia legislature. State Rep. Sean Jerguson (R-Cherokee County) said he plans to re-introduce the bill in the next legislative session.
"By creating the weapon-free zones, what signal is that sending to the criminal," said Jerguson. "They know that individuals on college campuses, under the law, cannot protect themselves, so that's where they go."
Georgia Tech students Erik Steiner and Elania McClain said they are both worried about crime on campus, but expressed different opinions on allowing guns on campus.
"I just don't think that people are responsible enough to carry weapons. They can get them taken from them and used against them, or people can get alcohol involved," said McClain.
"I see no reason why people shouldn't have the right to defend themselves, seeing as there's so much more crime and they have crimes, why shouldn't we," said Steiner.
School officials declined to talk to FOX 5 Monday, but a policy statement on the school's website says the school is against guns on campus.
"Georgia Tech...feels that the current law keeps our campuses safe and is designed to protect our students, faculty, staff, and visitors," says the school on its website.
The issue is expected to be on the agenda in the next legislative session, which begins in about eight weeks.