In the wake of the devastating school shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, that left two students and two teachers dead, questions are being raised about the state’s gun laws and Governor Brian Kemp’s role in shaping them. The 14-year-old shooter, Colt Gray, used an AR-15-style rifle to carry out the attack, a weapon gifted to him by his father, Colin Gray, who now faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children. The tragic events in Georgia highlight the state’s lenient gun laws, particularly when compared to California, which has adopted stricter measures aimed at curbing gun violence.
Kemp’s Record on Gun Control
Governor Brian Kemp’s track record on gun control has been characterized by a consistent loosening of restrictions. In 2022, Kemp signed a bill allowing Georgians to carry concealed handguns without a permit, a move that significantly reduced barriers to carrying firearms in public. This legislation built upon earlier efforts in 2014, which legalized carrying firearms in some schools, bars, and churches. While Kemp and his supporters argue that these laws strengthen the rights of responsible gun owners, they also make it easier for firearms to fall into the hands of individuals who should not have access to them.
This latest shooting illustrates the potential consequences of these lenient laws. Colt Gray, who had been involved in an earlier investigation for making threats of a school shooting, was able to obtain a high-powered weapon with ease. His father’s decision to provide him with an AR-15 underscores the importance of responsible gun ownership and the need for laws that prioritize safety, especially for minors.
Georgia’s Weak Gun Laws and Rising Violence
Georgia consistently ranks among the states with the weakest gun control laws. According to a 2023 report, Georgia was ranked 46th out of 50 in gun law strength. The state also has a higher-than-average gun death rate, with 19.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 14.2. Georgia’s lack of universal background checks, minimal safe storage requirements, and permissive concealed carry laws create an environment where gun violence is more likely to occur.
Despite pleas from over 40 mayors across Georgia for Governor Kemp to enact common-sense gun safety measures in 2023—such as universal background checks, safe storage requirements, and restrictions on high-capacity magazines—the state legislature has failed to act. Instead, Georgia’s leadership continues to prioritize policies that make firearms more accessible. One of the few gun-related bills that passed in the state legislature gave tax incentives for the purchase of safe storage devices, yet this measure died in the Senate, highlighting the resistance to meaningful reform.
California’s Stricter Gun Laws and Lower Gun Violence
In stark contrast, California, under Governor Gavin Newsom, has implemented some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation. Newsom has been vocal in his belief that gun safety laws save lives, and California’s gun death rate of 8.6 per 100,000 residents—nearly half of Georgia’s—supports this claim. California’s laws include universal background checks, waiting periods, and limits on large-capacity magazines, measures that Kemp and the Georgia legislature have resisted.
Newsom’s administration has continued to strengthen gun control measures even in the face of legal challenges. For example, new laws signed in 2023 include SB 2, which tightens regulations on public carry, and SB 452, which mandates microstamping technology to trace guns used in crimes. Newsom has also championed innovative policies like AB 28, which imposes a tax on bullet sales to fund gun violence prevention programs. These laws have contributed to a significant reduction in gun-related deaths in the state, with California’s gun death rate 43% lower than the national average.
The Consequences of Inaction
Governor Kemp’s failure to enact meaningful gun control measures is not just a matter of political ideology—it has real, life-or-death consequences. The Apalachee High School shooting is a stark reminder that weak gun laws can facilitate tragic outcomes. While Kemp offered “thoughts and prayers” in the aftermath of the shooting, this rhetoric rings hollow without action to address the root causes of gun violence.
California’s approach, under Governor Newsom’s leadership, has shown that smart gun control policies can reduce gun deaths and make communities safer. If Georgia were to follow the example of California and other states with stronger gun laws, it could prevent thousands of gun-related deaths in the coming years. According to estimates, if Georgia adopted the gun control policies of states with the strongest laws, nearly 18,000 lives could be saved over the next decade.
The tragic shooting at Apalachee High School underscores the urgent need for stronger gun control laws in Georgia. Governor Kemp’s consistent rollback of firearms restrictions has made it easier for individuals like Colt Gray to access deadly weapons, with devastating consequences. In contrast, Governor Newsom’s commitment to gun safety has made California a model for reducing gun violence. The time has come for Georgia to follow suit and adopt the kinds of common-sense measures that can save lives and prevent future tragedies.
