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Should students carry guns on campus?

ATLANTA — A recent spike in crime on and around the Georgia Tech campus is renewing a campaign to allow students to carry guns.

"When crime picked up on campus, I took it personally," said Robert Eager, campus leader of the group Georgia Tech Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. "If you are being threatened walking to and from your apartment when you should be concerned about your school work, that is a problem and that is something we need to work on."

Kyle Wilkins, who is helping lead the charge, told Channel 2's Erica Byfield he doesn't feel safe on campus, feelings sparked from recent crimes on and around campus. Both Eager and Wilkins attended freshman orientation to drum up support for their cause.

A couple of weeks ago, three Tech students were robbed off campus.  In another case, a student woke up in his campus apartment to a gun pointed to his head.

"Before, at least you knew if you got to your room you were safe. That is no longer the case now," Eagar said.

Eagar said in the days following the on-campus incident, waves of students and even some parents, "liked" their Georgia Tech Students for Concealed Carry on Campus Facebook page.

Some of the proponents of the effort also signed an online petition to send to Gov. Nathan Deal.

Other students oppose the idea.

"I'm against it," student Paris Waiters said.

A Georgia Tech spokesperson declined Byfield's request for an interview to get the school's position on the student-led effort.  But the spokesperson did say the university follows the Board of Regents policy and state law.

As groups of freshmen walked around, Eagar and Wilkins told Byfield they believe criminals see Tech students as easy targets, so permitting them to carry guns on campus might help change that perception.

Channel 2's Erica Byfield contributed to this report. Follow her on Twitter @ EricaByfieldWSB