TIM WESSELMAN: Gov. Deal’s Campus Carry veto strikes a balance

As a recent Albany State University graduate with a son attending the University of Georgia, I would like to thank Gov. Nathan Deal for doing something uncharacteristic during this polarized election season: acting on his own convictions.

Deal vetoed House Bill 859, known as Campus Carry, Tuesday, saying in a veto message quoted by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “If the intent of HB 859 is to increase safety of students on college campuses, it is highly questionable that such would be the result.”

The Dougherty County delegation voted as follows on HB 859: in the state House, Rep. Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert, voted in favor; Rep. Winfred Dukes, D-Albany, voted against; Rep. Darrel Ealum, D-Albany, did not vote, and Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, D-Dawson, voted against the bill, the Georgia General Assembly’s website reports.

If Albany’s delegation is any indication, the Republican governor was set to disappoint key constituents no matter what he did. Atlanta media observers have noted that although Deal faces no re-election campaign, his willingness to take controversial stands could complicate legislative goals he has for his last term. Despite this risk, he vetoed Campus Carry but signed a “campus carry light” measure allowing stun guns on college campuses, the media reports.

So, as The New York Times last week reports a new normal in which “shootings by preschoolers (are) happening at a pace of about two per week,” I thank Deal for striking a balance between the right to arms and the right to safety.

TIM WESSELMAN

Albany