By Brooklyn Doggett | ContributorAUGUSTA, Ga. — Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 280 on May 4, 2017, and the bill commonly known as "campus concealed carry" became a reality on Jul. 21 at the state’s public universities and colleges.On Sep. 19, the Augusta University Student Government Association (SGA) held a forum in the JSAC Ballroom to discuss the new law for the campus with students and faculty. Augusta University Director and Chief of Police James Lyon, AU Deputy Chief Jasper Cooke, Georgia State Rep. Jodi Lott, and Georgia State Sen. Harold Jones composed a panel to inform and educate students, faculty, staff, and the general public.The panel consisted of representatives who were both for and against the legislation. The goal of this forum was to answer controversial questions that have arisen from this sensitive topic and provided the facts regarding campus concealed carry.The "campus concealed carry" law allows anyone with a proper Georgia license to carry a concealed handgun on public universities and college campuses. As with any law, there are some regulations to protect and guide licensed carriers as well as the community. A licensed carrier should not carry in a non-concealed manner, meaning the handgun must be properly placed in a bag, a backpack, or in a manner that is out of sight.A concealed handgun must not be brought into a classroom where there are dual-enrolled or Move On When Ready (MOWR) students, student residence halls, faculty or administrative offices, childcare or preschool areas or buildings used for athletic sporting events.Concealed weapons are not allowed in sporting facilities. However, the exception includes stadiums, gymnasiums, and similar facilities in which intercollegiate games are staged but does not extend to "tailgating" areas or similar facilities that are not used for intercollegiate games.If a licensed carrier chooses to carry on campus, they must first check with the Registrar’s Office to ensure there is no dual-enrolled or MOWR student in their classes. If a student has to enter an administrative office, he or she must leave the handgun in his/her vehicle or not pass beyond the threshold of the building.Students, faculty, and administration will typically not know when a person is exercising concealed carry. A measure that the state representatives have discussed is a way to keep track of those carrying without violating confidentiality laws.Currently, the penalty of a licensed carrier bringing the concealed weapon into a restricted area will only result in a misdemeanor crime with a small fine and no jail time. However, if a person is to carry a weapon without a proper license, this will still be treated as a felony.Georgia is one of 10 states across the United States permitting campus carry. The other nine states are Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. As for current research by Rep. Jodi Lott, there has been no dangerous discharge from permitted carriers. Of the three discharges, two were faculty members and one was a student, but all three were not of harmful intent.The AU Police Department and the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPaR) are in the planning stages of creating a class to teach students and faculty gun safety and educate carriers. This program will be designed for protection and training personnel how and when they can use their weapon. As more information becomes available, the university police will be contacting students interested in these classes.In addition, active shooter training was held on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. in the JSAC Coffeehouse. Another active shooter training was held on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. in the same location.Since HB280 has just recently gone into effect, there are still several details and questions that need to be worked out. One thing that the panelists agreed on was that the opinions and questions of the university's students, faculty, and other community members do matter. The panelists highly encouraged interested parties to express their concerns.To ask questions or receive more information about campus carry, please contact an SGA representative to let your voice be heard. The “USG HB280 Campus Carry” YouTube video, which illustrates in-depth on the bill, can be found at http://www.usg.edu/hb280.Additional information can also be found at https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB280/2017