LAST WEEK: SHOULD GUNS BE ALLOWED ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES?

The Georgia Legislature recently approved and sent to Gov. Nathan Deal a measure, House Bill 859, that would allow anyone 21 or older with a weapons license to carry a gun, concealed, on college and university campuses except for inside dormitories and fraternity and sorority houses and at athletic events. Here’s what readers had to say about it: Assaults will never be eliminated on and near campuses. With wideopen borders allowing in criminals from all over the world, times have changed. What the new carry law will do is allow vigilant and cautious students and faculty to neutralize a situation quickly. More veterans are in college on the GI Bill. These men and women are weapons-trained. Off-duty police and fire personnel also are students. To deny them the right to protect themselves is lunacy. This bill is needed and long overdue. – Kermit Smith

Passage of House Bill 859 is a bad idea for several reasons, but the greatest being that there is no requirement for any weapons qualification attached. Law enforcement and military personnel are required to qualify on gun ranges so there is a good chance they’ll hit the target they shoot at. Handguns are generally less accurate than long guns, and the lack of accuracy is deadly when combined with a stressful situation, adrenalin rush, and a lack of weapons qualification. How many innocent bystanders might be killed or injured? – Mike Deal The campus carry legislation is a horrific idea, especially as far as the college professor is concerned. All students do not get an A+, nor do they deserve one, but whether deserved or not, some might be offended if their grade is not what they expected. How does a professor defend him/herself from a disgruntled individual? – Dewey Teal No guns on campus! – Amy DeLoach Please publish the number and percentage of students 21 or older when you put up articles about campus carry. I would worry if ALL students were allowed to carry, but I am thinking the number of 21-and-older students is much smaller and more mature. Unfortunately, the crooks will just be sure to target younger students. – Jim Nealand If the students with carry permits had to show proficiency with the firearms and a thorough knowledge of when to shoot or not shoot, as police officers are trained, it would be more comfortable for all. – Bill Kohler I am so shocked that given the published statistics of your readership on this issue and the fact that not one of the public universities in Georgia supports campus carry, that our elected officials would pass such a dangerous bill. – Elizabeth Maier