Major gun rights bill close to reality in Georgia

And any of Georgia's 180 K-12 public school systems could choose for themselves whether to train and arm willing administrators for added protection. State Representative Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper) shepherded the bill through only about 10 minutes of House floor debate. He told 11 Alive News the added carry rights are meant for law-abiding adults and not criminals. "Those people have been through a license requirement, they've been finger printed, background checked, I don't think that's an issue; these are mature Georgians," he added. Most of those voting against the bill were Democrats who think it goes too far. "I don't think the spreading of guns is necessarily a good thing," Rep. David Wilkerson (D-Austell) told 11 Alive. "We already have enough crime in certain areas and I don't think the access to guns is going to help that," he added. The only person to actually debate against the bill was a conservative Republican who doesn't think it goes far enough, especially at colleges. "Just because I'm a 21-year-old adult and I choose to live on a college campus, I don't get to exercise my Second Amendment rights?" asked Rep. Charles Gregory (R-Kennesaw). "What if we did that with freedom of speech or what if we did that with freedom of religion?" he added. The bill would also lower the age for a gun carry license from 21 to 18 for honorably discharged veterans or active duty and military reservists. Supporters say that's so trained and experienced veterans can quality for private security jobs between those ages. With only a few days left in this year's legislative session, the bill now goes back to the Senate, which will have to reject or approve House changes. If they accept the House version, it's on to Republican Governor Nathan Deal, who'll then decide whether to veto it. source: http://www.11alive.com/news/article/284637/40/Major-gun-rights-bill-close-to-reality-in-Georgia