Campus Carry Has Begun in Georgia and Kansas
Beginning on July 1, students who have their permits to carry concealed weapons can also bring their guns along with them while on campus.
This month marks the beginning of campus carry for both Georgia and Kansas. That means any law-abiding student can bring their firearms with them to campus, as long as they are concealed. Open carry is prohibited.
When the legislation was first signed back in 2013, colleges and universities were given four years to declare their campuses as gun-free and to put security (i.e. metal detectors) in buildings. Few colleges announced gun-free zones, but some did decide to publish rules for carrying guns on campus for self-defense.
For example, Wichita State University has 5 requirements for students to be able to carry their guns on campus. These rules are:
- Each person who wishes to carry a gun on campus must be 21 years of age. The firearm should be concealed on or about the person at all times while on campus.
- Concealed carry is allowed in all university buildings except beyond the police department’s lobby.
- Some locations can be declared as temporarily gun-free, such as sporting events and graduations where attendance is more than 5,000.
- Each person who is carrying a firearm on campus is responsible for carrying, storing and using that gun in a safe and lawful manner.
Student and faculty safety is the main priority for colleges and campuses. With campus carry now allowed in Kansas and Georgia, this should be a deterrent for any attackers. If there ever is an active shooter at a college with campus carry, these law-abiding students can now shoot back, using their weapons in self-defense and in hopes of saving lives if ever in that situation.