As lawmakers across the country look to tighten gun laws, Georgia legislators on Thursday debated a bill to allow more mentally ill people to obtain licenses to carry guns, the Associated Press reported.
Legislation up for a vote Thursday would allow people who have voluntarily sought inpatient treatment for mental illness or substance abuse to get such licenses.
The same bill also attempts to make it easier for officials to check on whether applicants have ever received involuntary treatment. Georgia also may change its laws to allow people to carry guns in churches, bars and on college campuses.
Currently, it is up to a judge whether to issue a carry license to someone who has received inpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment in the last five years.