Changing directions from earlier statements on the issue, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday vetoed House Bill 859, the campus safety bill that would have allowed law-abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional right to self-defense on the state’s public college and university campuses.
“We agreed with Gov. Deal when he said that the arguments against the campus safety bill lacked validity. He was right then, but he is wrong today,” said NRA spokeswoman Catherine Mortensen. “It is unfortunate that Gov. Deal vetoed a bill that would have made Georgia campuses safer for his constituents. The NRA is thankful to Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and the legislators who worked to protect law-abiding citizens’ constitutional right to self-defense on campus, and we look forward to working with them next session to pass this important safety legislation.”
According to NRA-ILA, legislators who were instrumental in passing the campus safety legislation include Representatives Rick Jasperse, Mandi Ballinger, Alan Powell, John Meadows, David Ralston and Sen. Jesse Stone.
