ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has reversed course and signed a controversial bill that will allow handguns on the state’s college campuses. 

The Republican governor vetoed a more expansive version of the measure last year, but his office announced Thursday evening Deal had decided to sign a more dialed-back version that passed this session. 

The bill, which applies only to concealed weapons permit holders, was a last-minute compromise that clearly left some proponents disappointed with the number of exceptions included.  

Handguns will continue to be off limits in the following locations: dorms, fraternity and sorority housing, stadiums and athletic venues, preschools, spaces where high school students take college course; disciplinary hearing areas; and faculty, staff and administrative offices.  

Last year, the bill would have only barred firearms in dorms, fraternity and sorority housing, stadiums and athletic venues. 

A press release from Deal’s office said that the 2016 version had failed to address “sensitive places” on campus.

But his veto message also expressed more sweeping concerns, such as the appropriateness of weapons in higher education, that were frequently cited by opponents during the session. 

This is what Deal had to say Thursday in a statement: 

“It is altogether appropriate that weapons not be allowed in sensitive areas on college campuses, and I appreciate the thoughtful consideration given by the General Assembly in expanding these excluded areas within a college campus in this year’s bill.

“While HB 280 addresses the rights and restrictions relating to weapons carry license holders on a college campus, it in effect may have greater significance for students who are going to or coming from a campus. Unfortunately, in parts of the state, the path to higher education travels through dangerous territory.

“At the present time, assailants can, and do, target these students knowing full well that their victims are not permitted to carry protection, even those who are weapons carry license holders, because they are either going to or coming from a campus where no weapons are allowed. In recent years, we’ve witnessed college students fall victim to violent attacks in or while traveling to libraries and academic buildings, and while traveling to and from their homes to class. 

“As this legislation is more narrowly tailored as to exclude areas on a college campus, I’ve signed HB 280.”

Jill Nolin covers the Georgia Statehouse for CNHI’s newspapers and websites. Reach her at jnolin@cnhi.com.