A survey about Georgia’s campus carry laws was sent to students on Feb. 11, giving students an opportunity to share their experiences and feelings about the laws.
Kennesaw State professor and assistant chair of the department of sociology and criminal justice Jennifer McMahon emailed out the survey. In the email, she said that the results of the study will only be discussed at invited presentations, academic conferences and in academic journals.
“By surveying faculty, administrators, staff and students at a large public university in one of the eleven states that have a campus carry law, our results can help criminologists, university leaders and policymakers understand the attitudes and experiences that individuals have on a campus where concealed carry permit holders are allowed to carry guns,” McMahon said.
Since the survey is confidential, students are able to easily answer simple questions regarding their feelings about the Second Amendment and the laws that Georgia and its universities enforce.
The survey is being administered by the A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service and Research on behalf of the department of sociology and criminal justice.
KSU, along with all other universities in Georgia, abide by House Bill 280 passed by Gov. Nathan Deal. The law went into effect July 1 last year.
The law states that students who are over the age of 21 and have a weapon carry permit may carry concealed weapons in classrooms and on certain parts of campus.
The survey was sent to students three days before 17 people lost their lives during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
