Citizens, Start Your Engines

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Asian Americans Advancing Justice lobbied Georgia legislators on campus carry and English only bills.
Citizens, Start Your Engines
Moms Demand Action, who advocate for what they call "gun sense," pose on the steps of the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta on Feb. 24, 2016. Advocates, lobbyists, and students packed the building to talk to their representatives during the legislative session. Mary Silver/Epoch Times
Mary Silver
Updated:

ATLANTA—Letting students pack heat on college campuses. Banning legal immigrants from serving on local government councils or panels. Bringing flowers to your local legislators’ offices. The Georgia Capitol was jumping in February. Controversy and friendliness were side by side.

Volunteers with the Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America visited state senators on Feb. 24. “Passing legislation that forces our colleges and universities to allow anyone with a concealed carry permit to carry a gun on campus is a shame for student safety,” said volunteer chapter leader Lindsey Donovan, in a statement. The House has passed HB 859, to let students carry guns. The Senate has not voted on it.

“Once again, four out of five Georgians believe guns have no place on campus. We urge the Georgia Senate to reject this dangerous bill and to not add guns to environments rife with alcohol, drugs, and academic pressures.”

Sen. Hunter Hill said that the logic behind the bill is that “law enforcement can’t be everywhere, so you should be able to have a gun.” He chairs the Veterans, Military and Homeland Security committee. He came from the chamber to talk to his constituent Carol Allen. She opposes the bill, and the two had a civil and searching conversation about gun sense.

Georgia state Sen. Hunter Hill and his constituent Carol Allen talk about a proposed bill to allow students to carry guns on college campuses, at the Capitol in Atlanta, on Feb. 24, 2016. (Mary Silver/Epoch Times)
Georgia state Sen. Hunter Hill and his constituent Carol Allen talk about a proposed bill to allow students to carry guns on college campuses, at the Capitol in Atlanta, on Feb. 24, 2016. Mary Silver/Epoch Times
Mary Silver
Mary Silver
Author
Mary Silver writes columns, grows herbs, hikes, and admires the sky. She likes critters, and thinks the best part of being a journalist is learning new stuff all the time. She has a Masters from Emory University, serves on the board of the Georgia chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and belongs to the Association of Health Care Journalists.
Related Topics