A call to expand gun rights in Georgia will go before state lawmakers this year. One bill could revive the debate on allowing guns to be carried on college campuses.
As a leader of Georgia Tech Students for Concealed Carry, Robert Eagar says he's optimistic about a measure removing restrictions on carrying firearms on college campuses.
His group began calling for the change to state law following armed robberies of students.
"If they believe that they're capable of defending themselves, they should have that right," said Eager.
A so-called "campus carry" bill is one of four measures removing gun restrictions planned by newly-elected state Rep. Charles Gregory of Kennesaw. He told FOX 5's Paul Yates by phone that he's "just trying to do what's right." Gun control, he said, "doesn't work."
Measures to expand gun rights failed in the last state legislative session. This year's General Assembly begins on Monday.
After the deadly Connecticut school shootings last month, Alice Johnson, the head of Georgians for Gun Safety predicted the demise of gun expansion measures.
"I think the concealed carry in schools, on college campuses is a dead issue at this point," Johnson said on Dec. 19.
But the student group sees a different outcome.
"We think this is a very likely year to see it passing. We've been very close in the past and we feel that we might have the final steps to push forward this year," said Eager.
Another state lawmaker plans a bill allowing school administrators to carry guns if their local school board approves.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:04:30 GMT
A Douglasville family is asking for help to try to find their missing daughter. Jacqueline Bryant, 15, was last seen on April 12 and now she's the subject of a nationwide alert.
A Douglasville family is asking for help to try to find their missing daughter. Jacqueline Bryant, 15, was last seen on April 12 and now she's the subject of a nationwide alert.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:35 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:35:07 GMT
Tea party groups and Georgia Republican leaders are gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service.
Tea party groups and Georgia Republican leaders are gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:33:55 GMT
Southern Baptists in metro Atlanta are doing their part to assist victims of Tuesday's violent twisters.
Southern Baptists in metro Atlanta are doing their part to assist victims of Tuesday's violent twisters.The North American Mission Board has volunteers on the ground in Oklahoma and more relief is on the
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:27 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:27:44 GMT
Andrea Sneiderman was back in court Tuesday to be arraigned for a third time. She's accused of conspiring with her former boss, Hemy Neuman, to kill her husband, Rusty Sneiderman, in 2010. Rusty Sneiderman
Andrea Sneiderman was back in court Tuesday to be arraigned for a third time. She's accused of conspiring with her former boss, Hemy Neuman, to kill her husband, Rusty Sneiderman, in 2010.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:23 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:23:15 GMT
Robert Champion's parents said Tuesday that Florida A&M University's band shouldn't march next year, even though they've already hired a new band director.
Robert Champion's parents said Tuesday that Florida A&M University's band shouldn't march next year, even though they've already hired a new band director.
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