The United States saw 23 shootings on college campuses in 2015, alone. The number of general gun-related injuries up to date is too large to count, and is constantly increasing.

These events have led to a modern day epidemic caused by guns, and a never-ending debate over whether more or less guns in the country will provide the safer outcome. Regardless of a person’s political affiliation, gun control has become an important topic to politicians and to voters alike. Republicans, influenced by the gun lobby, have called for easier access to firearms, in the hope that they will be able to protect themselves when in a dangerous situation. Democrats, however, have called for stricter regulations of the obtainment of firearms, suggesting stricter background checks, more training, and the like.

States have taken it upon themselves to pass laws that either restrict or loosen citizens’ access to guns. According to The National Conference of State Legislatures , 23 states allow universities to decide whether or not guns are allowed on campus; 19 ban the carry of guns on college campuses and eight states allow concealed carry of firearms on college campuses: Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. The latter group is on its way to growing, with Georgia being the next potential state to allow the carry of firearms on college campuses through House Bill 859 -- commonly referred to as HB 859.

HB 859 will allow permit holders to concealed carry firearms on college campuses with the exception of dorms, fraternity and sorority houses and athletic arenas.

On Feb. 22, the Georgia State House of Representatives passed HB 859, and at the time of writing this article, its next stop is the State Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday March 2. After this committee, the bill will then be scheduled to appear on the Georgia State Senate floor.

If HB 859 passes the Georgia State Senate, Governor Deal will either sign it into law, or veto it. If passed, college campuses are not guaranteed to become any safer. Rather, evidence suggests college campuses will actually be more dangerous.

First and foremost, the argument that law-abiding citizens should have the ability to carry guns because they will be the ones to protect innocent citizens has its flaws. According to Violence Policy Center, there have been 763 people who have died at the hands of citizens with a permit for concealed carry; 17 of these victims were law enforcement officers.

Second, the risk of suicide goes up. According to Emory University , more than 1,000 college students commit suicide on college campuses each year.

Third, the number of sexual assault cases will increase, and the outcome of these cases will be more deadly. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center has gathered that one in five women will be sexually assaulted while in college. Colorado, for example, has seen a 36 percent increase in rapes on college campuses after the passing of a law that allows concealed carry of firearms on college campuses.

Finally, colleges are supposed to be places where students are encouraged to think from a different perspective. This includes being pushed out of their comfort zones, experiencing conflicting points of view, and sometimes even engaging in debates. This transforms the classroom into a sort of arena, and can be quite intense. If guns are involved, the outcome may not be an open mind, but rather a deceased student or professor. Students will not feel safe in expressing themselves, especially if it is a controversial subject. This will have a negative long-term effect as students will no longer develop intellectually, setting them up for failure in their future careers.

HB 859, although greatly supported by many conservatives in Georgia, has seen its opposition. Many universities -- such as UGA and Emory have had student organizations or individual students create petitions or write articles in the hope that HB 859 will not be passed, including this petition that represents the University of North Georgia .

The University of North Georgia SGA has distributed a survey to the student population, asking them for their opinion, as well.

Another way to oppose HB 859 is to call or email your state senator and ask them to vote no to HB 859 when it comes before them on the state senate floor.

Many students and professors of Georgia universities have already expressed their opposition to HB 859, arguing guns and education do not mix, especially on college campuses. If you disagree with the Georgia State Legislature, let your voice be heard. Sign a petition, protest, call your senator, email your senator -- do as much as you can to fight for your safety. You shouldn’t have to be willing to die for an education.