Va. Tech victim speaks out about Ga. gun bill

ATLANTA — A survivor of the Virginia Tech campus shooting is speaking out against a controversial bill that would allow some Georgia teens to carry concealed weapons.

Since Colin Goddard was shot four times in the infamous 2007 shooting, he has been devoted to keeping guns away from students.

"To say that guns is a solution to gun violence is ridiculous, and the fact that we think students should be allowed to shoot it out with themselves is just an absurd idea," he told Channel 2's Linda Stouffer.

Goddard came to the Georgia Capitol on Wednesday to stand with a coalition of people against a state Senate-approved bill that would lower the age to carry a concealed weapon.

Currently, Georgia residents must be at least 21 to get a concealed weapons permit. There is no training needed. The new proposal would open it up to 18, 19 and 20-year-olds, as long as they go through four hours of classroom instruction, four hours of training on a firing range and pass a test.

The bill has vocal opponents. Many of them worry that with more young people getting access to guns, the weapons could end up at schools.

"We should reject any amendment, any legislation and effort that would allow guns on college campuses," state Sen. Vincent Fort told Stouffer.

A sponsor of the bill said opponents are jumping to conclusions.

"There must be a misunderstanding because the bill addresses nothing about the gun laws about where you can carry. It's just simply who can get a concealed carry license," state Sen. Barry Loudermilk told Stouffer.

Loudermilk said his goal is to allow returning veterans who are under 21 to qualify for private security jobs.

"The purpose is just to open up these opportunities [to] these young, very qualified, mature, young men and women to get jobs," Loudermilk said.

The measure is pending in the state House. Loudermilk said he doesn't know of any effort to tack on more controversial amendments, but that's what activists fear will happen if the bill is approved.

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