Overview:

• The Campus Carry Law (Senate Bill 319; 16-11-127.1) was signed into law on July 1, 2017, and amended/modified on April 13, 2022. The amendment removed the license requirement for weapons carriers.
• Elements of the statute
  • Carrier must be 21 or over (unless an active member of the military).
  • Law applies to anyone on campus— student, faculty, staff, contractor, or visitor.
  • Law applies only to handguns (revolvers and pistols).
  • Prohibited locations:
    The following locations are authorized: any building or real property (buildings or land) owned or leased by the college unless specifically prohibited below.
    • Any buildings or property used for athletic sporting events (while athletic events are occurring)
    • Student housing (includes fraternity and sorority houses)
    • Preschool or childcare spaces (defined as separated by electronic mechanism or human-staffed point of controlled access)
    • College and Career Academies
    • Classes with dual enrollment students (defined as the space or room being currently used for dual enrollment instruction).
    • Faculty, staff, or administrative offices
    • Rooms where disciplinary hearings are conducted.
  • Handgun must be concealed.
    • Concealed is defined as carried in such a fashion so that it does not actively solicit the attention of others… is not openly and intentionally displayed, is substantially covered by an article of clothing, or is carried within a bag of nondescript nature.

Additional Points for Consideration:

• It is the responsibility of the concealed weapons carrier to know the law and always follow it.
• Carriers must have received gun safety training. Colleges (including their police or security departments) will not provide firearms training to anyone other than employed sworn police officers.
• Concealed weapons carriers are responsible for identifying themselves and immediately obeying all instructions given by law enforcement in an active shooter-type occurrence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

ARE HANDGUNS THE ONLY TYPE OF FIREARM TO WHICH CAMPUS CARRY APPLIES?
Yes. This includes revolvers and pistols.

WHERE CAN WEAPONS BE SECURED WHEN NOT BEING CARRIED ON CAMPUS? The gun owner’s vehicle. SCTC will not provide weapons storage facilities.

WHAT DOES “CONCEALED” MEAN?
Concealed is defined as carried in such a fashion so that it does not actively solicit the attention of others… is not openly and intentionally displayed, is substantially covered by an article of clothing, or is carried within a bag of nondescript nature.

HOW WILL ANYONE KNOW IF A CLASS HAS DUAL ENROLLMENT OR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IT?
It is the responsibility of the concealed weapon carrier to determine when these conditions exist and not violate the law. Students are not required to identify themselves as dual enrollment students in class; however, students may ask their fellow classmates if anyone is a dual enrollment student.

WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATION?
See OGCA 16-11-127.1 “Any weapons carry license holder who carries a handgun in a manner or in a building, property, room, or space in violation of this paragraph shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; provided, however, that for a conviction of a first offense, such weapons carry license holder shall be punished by a fine of $25.00 and not be sentenced to serve any term of confinement.”

CAN FACULTY MEMBERS ASK FOR THE IDENTITY OF ALL WHO ARE CARRYING WEAPONS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS?
No

CAN THE COLLEGE DESIGNATE ADDITIONAL “WEAPONS-FREE” AREAS?
No, only those areas designated under the law apply.

CAN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS, SUPERVISORS, HEALTH CARE WORKERS, SCIENCE LAB MANAGERS (FLAMMABLE ITEMS IN USE OR STORAGE), OR ANY OTHERS DRAFT POLICY BANNING FIREARMS FROM THEIR AREA OR HAVE THE RIGHT TO BAN FIREARMS IF THEY HAVE SPECIFIC CONCERNS ABOUT A STUDENT?
No, but concerns should be reported to SCTC PD.

• Griffin Campus: 770-883-6032
• Flint River Campus: 678-603-8070
• Butts County Center: 678-603-6918
• Fayette County Center: 678-603-9942
• Henry County Center: 678-603-5609
• Jasper County Center: 678-603-5948
• Anonymous Tip Form
• Report Concerning Behavior

If it is an emergency call 911.

DOES IT APPLY TO ANY AREA WHERE A STUDENT CONDUCT HEARING MAY OR HAS OCCURRED?
It applies to any area where a student conduct hearing is occurring or will occur in the immediate future.

WILL THE COLLEGE PROVIDE FIREARM SAFETY TRAINING?
The gun owner is responsible for ensuring that they have completed safety training on the proper loading, use, and carry (including concealed carry) of a firearm.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF SOMEONE TAKES A HANDGUN OUT OF A BACKPACK OR BRIEFCASE?
Students, staff members, faculty members, contractors, and visitors may not display a handgun on the campus unless they are members of law enforcement. Handguns must always be concealed, barring life-threatening emergencies. If you observe someone displaying a handgun on campus, it should be reported to campus police or security.