Editor’s Note: This article is the beginning of a month-long series to recognize the one-year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting and to highlight the University and state’s efforts to change policy in response to the tragedy.

A proposed bill permitting the transport of firearms on campus has triggered debate questioning if pupils and pistols make for a safe mix.

“I’m a little concerned about weapons being readily available, considering the number of our students who overindulge in alcohol,” University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said Tuesday in a phone interview. “I don’t know if society is quite ready for the Old West mentality to come back.”

Williamson said he was concerned that in the case of a standoff, it would be much more difficult for police to discern between criminals and law-abiding citizens.

“How are police to know who the bad guy or good guy is?” he said.

The current law prohibiting weapons on campus states the possession of a weapon on or within 1,000 feet of any property owned or used by the University is a felony, according to Georgia code law.

Penalties for violation can include a fine up to $10,000 and up to 10 years in prison.

The Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008 would change all of that. The bill, proposed by Georgia state Rep. Tim Bearden, would revise the current law and allow guns on campus.

Matt Suber, a senior political science and speech communication major and former University College Republicans board member, said he is in favor of the bill, as he is with any law consistent with the Bill of Rights.

“There are a lot of folks in this community for whom a firearm is part of their life,” Suber said. “They naturally carry a shotgun in the back of their truck. For them, it is a matter of convenience; but more importantly, for some students, it provides a sense of security.”

Suber said the shootings at Virginia Tech might have been prevented if guns were readily available on campus.

“It is the job of campus police to secure the campus. It is also the job of every individual citizen to look after their own security,” he said.

Peyton Bradford, president of the University’s Young Democrats, said more guns on campus would have an adverse effect on students’ sense of safety.

“The more guns we can keep off campus, the better served we would be,” Bradford said. “Even the most responsible gun owner can drop it. It is not so much the risk of the person carrying the gun, but of those around them.”

Williamson said allowing guns on campus would cause a slight increase in crime.

“I suspect we would see more incidents of violence, occurring during moments of strong emotion or in the presence of alcohol,” he said.

But Suber said he didn’t think the bill would lead to a proliferation of firearms.

Regardless of what happens in the legislation, Williamson said University police would adjust accordingly.

“We are here to facilitate what the legislation decides,” he said.