Gun control advocates, opponents hope for legislative debate

Gun legislation is likely to be discussed at the Georgia Capitol in the next General Assembly session. The outcome of one controversial proposal affecting college campuses is now more uncertain than ever.

Gun control advocates have given Georgia low marks for easier access to firearms than other states, but gun rights supporters have also been disappointed at the state Capitol.

Following armed robberies of students at Georgia Tech, a group of students called for a law allowing them to carry guns on campus.

While acknowledging the terrible loss of life in Connecticut, group leader Robert Eagar says he still hopes a measure will be debated in the Georgia legislative session beginning in January.

"One of the reasons we're pushing for concealed carry on campus was to prevent instances like this. If a shooting that this had happened on our campus, students would be defenseless in this case. And we hope that with concealed carry being allowed, our students would be better able to defend themselves," Eagar said.

The head of Georgians for Gun Safety thinks the shootings less than a week ago have likely put a stop to the effort to expand areas where concealed guns can be carried. But otherwise, Alice Johnson says, the campaign to tighten gun laws will likely be staged on the national level. She hopes that will include more extensive federal background checks.

"Forty percent or more of firearms are transferred, sold or swapped or passed along to someone else without a background check and we think that's a significant hole in federal law," said Johnson.

Two years ago, the state legislature approved an expansion of places where permitted gun owners could carry their weapons, but an attempt at further expansion last year fell flat.