Allow Pepper Spray for Self Defense at Georgia Southern

As it currently stands in Georgia, state law (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1) permits individuals 18 and older to carry pepper spray and other non-lethal self-defense tools without a permit, recognizing the fundamental right to protect oneself. However, Georgia Southern University’s Code of Student Conduct (Chapter VI, Section A, Subsection 31) prohibits students from possessing or using such devices on campus. The policy vaguely bans “any lethal or dangerous device capable of launching a projectile by air, gas, explosion, or mechanical means,” including stun guns, and extends to “any object” used to injure, potentially encompassing pepper spray. This broad language leaves students defenseless against real threats, contradicting both state law and common sense.

Crime around Georgia Southern’s Statesboro campus underscores this urgency. In 2022, Bulloch County reported 315 violent crimes, including 231 aggravated assaults and 18 rapes, per Georgia Bureau of Investigation data. On campus, the 2023 Clery Act report documented 8 rapes, 3 aggravated assaults, and 12 stalking incidents in 2022 alone. Students like Jane Doe (pseudonym), assaulted near campus in 2021, have shared how the inability to carry pepper spray left her vulnerable—her story isn’t unique. The policy’s vagueness—failing to define “dangerous device” or exempt non-lethal tools—creates a chilling effect, deterring students from exercising their legal rights out of fear of disciplinary action, which can include suspension or expulsion.

We urge Georgia Southern University administration and President Kyle Marrero to amend this policy to explicitly permit non-lethal self-defense tools like pepper spray and tasers. Ensuring students can protect themselves isn’t just about complying with state law—it’s about fostering a safer campus where personal security isn’t sacrificed for ambiguous rules. President Marrero, prioritize our safety: revise the weapons policy now.