-- Valdosta, Ga. -- December 19, 2012 --

Gun advocates and opponents are mourning together over the loss of life in Connecticut. But they're divided when it comes to Georgia law. Many of the state's college students have expressed a desire to carry guns on campus.

Valdosta State University's Director of Communications, Thressea Boyd, said "Valdosta State continues to support the current law which does not allow guns on college campuses and we will continue to monitor any new legislation in the coming year."

That legislation could be introduced when the General Assembly meets in January. Carrying guns on campus will only be part of the debate.

Currently in Georgia there's no limit to the amount of guns you can purchase. There's also a loop hole that allows you to go to a gun show and purchase a firearm without having to get a background check.

Lowndes County resident Carl Hauffe said "if you're going to go up to somebody and purchase a gun they should, by law they need to check you because maybe you are mentally unstable and you know I just don't think that's right."

Mental illness has been a common thread when it comes to the killers involved in mass shootings.

Congressman Jack Kingston is a Republican from Georgia. He said "this is clearly a case of mental health and we need to have more investment into mental health and prevention on that level rather then just chase after the guns."

Georgia's General Assemby meets next on January 14th, 2013.