As Much of the Country Looks to Strengthen Gun Laws, Georgia Goes the Other Way

As many of the states look to strengthen gun laws in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shootings, a bill in the Georgia Legislature expands potential places where firearms could be taken.

House Bill 512 passed in the Georgia legislature on crossover day by a vote of 117 to 56. The bill, also known as the Safe Carry Protection Act, allows firearms to be taken into bars, churches and on certain areas in college campuses.

HB 512 drew opposition of the chancellor of the state university system as well as parents of some students who will be attending those colleges, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Some people who have never taken a stand on gun issues before spent the day at the Capitol lobbying against the bill. It passed anyway.

The bill now heads to the state senate, which is where opponents have urged lawmakers to vote it down. According to WSBTV, also included under the plan would be allowing school administrators to arm their employees. It would also allow people who have received voluntary inpatient care at a mental hospital or substance center to apply for a permit to carry.

So as some states move to strenghthen gun laws, Georgia is on a path to ease up on its gun laws? Who has it right?