As if the Library North robberies weren't enough to spark interest regarding weapons and violence on Georgia State University's campus, the Georgia House of Representatives passed the Campus Carry legislation, HB (House Bill) 859, on February 22, 2016, with a 113-59 vote, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. This bill allows licensed students who are 21 and older to carry a concealed weapon on any public college campus at any location with the exception of dormitories, sorority and fraternity houses, and sporting events.

Though the intent of the bill is to provide more safety for the overall student body, the passing of this bill has created much controversy over the risks this could impose on the university system as well as the students themselves. Republican state representative and sponsor of this bill, Rick Jasperse, claims that this is a "real-world solution to a real-world problem" and that his hope is to "see a reduction in the number of violent crimes on our campuses," as stated to an official press release.

Despite this, the idea of guns on campus has long been opposed by the University System of Georgia. There are several concerns regarding the risks imposed by this new legislation, but just a few are the lack of proper training, security issues, and the possible influence of illegal substances on a licensee, as students this age are constantly exposed to partying and alcohol. In addition to this opposition, Democratic representatives such as Mary Margaret Oliver disagree with representative Jasperse on the idea of protection. Oliver remarks that the bill "will not increase the safety of our campuses or our state," believing that the bill will only increase the possibility of a dangerous incident or bolster gun violence.

When given all this information about the legislative aspects of the issue, I decided to consider the application of this bill if it becomes reality and is passed into law. This legislation will affect many of my classmates, colleagues, and friends directly, so the opinions of these people are significant. After being described the parameters of HB-859, Zac Povlot, a freshman here at Georgia State University, gave his take on the issue, arguing that "people should have the right to carry a weapon wherever they please, especially in the case where background checks and specific permits are needed." He went on to say that "the United States is the land of the free, the land of opportunity, and through these founding conventions of what this country was initially intended to be, campus carry seems like something that should be completely allowed and not even questioned."

However, though he made these points, Mr. Povlot did address the issue of safety and the idealism of this legislation, arguing that although people should be allowed to carry weapons wherever they please, the idea is hardly applicable in our society where there are constant exceptions and rule-breakers. He finished off the conversation with me by stating the implementation of this bill is "almost counter-intuitive to assume that to stop killing, more killing machines should be put in place" and that trying to "stop gun violence in communities with more gun violence" will only "lead to nothing more than a loss of lives."

In times of heated debate and dividing perspectives, it is hard for us to project the endless possibilities that can come from such influential legislation. It seems that there is no clear indicator for what the correct move to take will be. In this specific instance, it is difficult to discern whether or not allowing concealed gun carrying on campuses in Georgia will either improve or worsen the present violence at the specific university. No two campuses are the same, and no two student bodies contain the same level of character. Therefore, this issue can only continue to be debated and assessed from all points of view. Are we to stand by idly and allow our Second Amendment rights to be infringed upon? Or are we to support the side regarding the safety and well-being of our staff and fellow students?

Whether or not there is a general consensus regarding HB-859, the bill has moved on to the Senate for further discussion and possible approval. As young adults and readers, it is crucial to become active in such legislative matters that so drastically impact our lives as college students. When we stand by and do not inform ourselves or put our voice into the debate and conversation, lawmakers and other officials create legislation on our behalf.

So, what is your take on this issue? After the library robberies at GSU, is this a good step? Are we taking steps to more personal freedom? Are we risking our personal protection? And are we allowing these two aspects to clash with one another so much that we are not assessing the individual lives that are being changed by this bill? Will this abolish or appropriate gun violence? It seems with the relentless political debates, only time will be able to answer such decisive and pertinent questions.