Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 280 into law Thursday. The law allows those with a Georgia weapons permit age 21 or older to carry firearms onto parts of public college campuses. The law goes into effect July 1. 

Until then, firearms continue to be prohibited per current state law. The University System of Georgia will be issuing implementation guidelines to all institutions. Georgia Tech administrators and police have been planning for possible implementation since an earlier bill was under consideration last year and will work with the USG and share more information leading up to July 1. 

Read the full legislation here.

The following statement was issued Thursday by USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley:

Today, Governor Deal signed House Bill 280, the "campus carry" legislation. As we near the July 1 effective date, the system office will be issuing implementation guidance to all institutions. 

Please do not make any changes to your policies until you receive this final guidance.

We recognize that many have strong feelings about this new law. It is important that we all work together across our campuses to implement the new law appropriately and continue to provide a top-quality education to our students.  

Thank you for what you do for the University System of Georgia.