Georgia House Passes School Safety and Gun Bills

In response to the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, the Georgia House passed House Bill 268 by a 159-13 vote, aiming to enhance school safety through mental health interventions and threat management. The bill proposes a statewide database to track students' disciplinary, mental health, and law enforcement records, which raises privacy and discrimination concerns. Additionally, it mandates mental health coordinators and threat management teams in schools. A separate bill incentivizes safe gun storage with tax credits, seen as a compromise respecting Second Amendment rights. Critics argue these measures fall short of stricter gun control, which remains a contentious issue. While the legislation has bipartisan support, debates continue over the balance of safety and privacy rights.