Written by Joe Adgie

While the University System of Georgia may have spoken against legislation that would permit firearms on college campuses, they may be unable to stop it.

That was discussed during Monday night’s SGA meeting, where Dr. Michael Noll, physics and astronomy professor, and Kathryn Grant, a recent VSU graduate, explained why this legislation would be a terrible idea.

“We may or may not see in the next couple of days a situation where we are forced, whether we like it or not, to allow concealed weapons on campus,” Noll said. “I don’t know how you individually feel about it; I am personally going ballistic over this.”

Noll then gave an example of what he felt to be some kind of intimidation that could come from this bill.

“That’s one way, I guess, that you could do grade inflation,” Noll said. “It would be like, ‘What kind of gun do you have? Oh, Kalashnikov [AK-47]? A. Wonderful.’”

Grant, who wrote in the Spectator last year on this topic, expressed her frustration with the bill, and with the consequences of if this bill would pass.

“We are days away from a bill that will essentially force all public universities within the [USG] to allow concealed carry everywhere on campus with the exception of dorms and sporting events,” Grant said. “The University system has made this decision, and indeed, Dr. McKinney has mirrored that decision, and we’re supposed to be able to participate in the decision-making process, but that’s not what’s happening.”

The legislation, which is now known as Senate Bill 101, overwhelmingly passed in the state House of Representatives on March 22, with 116 voting in favor and 55 voting against.

SB 101, which was introduced in the house as HB 512 and sponsored by Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper), would ease restrictions on firearms for licensed users in various areas, such as educational facilities, churches, bars and other public locations.

Following the meeting, Ryan Baerwalde, SGA president, spoke of his own personal opinion regarding the bill.

“The thing is, you have to be 21 to have a concealed carry permit, so that disqualifies the vast majority of students,” Baerwalde said. “Second of all, you have to have an extensive background check to get that weapon. If you have a criminal history, a history of mental instability, you’re not going to get the concealed weapon permit.”

Baerwalde also explained that someone will not bring an AK-47 into class with this permit, but rather a pistol. He also explained that while this was his own opinion, he sticks with the school and their viewpoint in his capacity as SGA president.