Jon Huntsman Jr.'s answers to the Deseret Morning News questionnaire

13. While former governors have been successful in 'trading out' some state lands in wilderness study areas for other federal lands that can be developed, overall the wilderness issue in Utah has been stuck for more than 20 years. What specifically would you do to resolve the ongoing wilderness lands issue in Utah?

Gov. Olene Walker's approach has achieved laudable results. I would continue her approach by continuing to bring all the players to the table. Although the process can be long and arduous, long and arduously attained results are better than the stagnation of the past 20 years.

14. Do you favor or oppose any hazardous or radioactive waste of a higher degree of toxicity being allowed into Utah storage facilities? If yes, specifically what kind of waste could, and should, Utah take?

I strongly oppose any hazardous or radioactive waste of a higher degree of toxicity allowed into Utah storage facilities. We should not only stop B- and C-level waste from entering Utah, but should also tax the current level-A waste at comparable rates to other states.

15. Explain your stand on gay marriage in Utah. Do you favor or oppose hate-crime legislation? If yes, do you favor classifications of victims, and if so do you specifically favor higher penalties for those who attack homosexuals because of their sexual orientation?

I strongly support the Defense of Marriage Act, and oppose any attempt to bring legalized gay marriage to our state. Marriage is between one man and one woman, and any other definition is unacceptable to me. Hate crimes are a subject I am open to discussion on, but I have some major concerns with any hate-crimes legislation. The First and 14th amendments are essential to our way of life. Do hate crimes punish actions or the thoughts behind the actions? We should not attempt to be the thought police. In regard to the 14th Amendment, it guarantees "equal protection" under the law. With hate crimes legislation, are we creating second-class victims? Is it more egregious for someone to be robbed because of his race than because he wears a nice coat? We need to be very careful in any discussion about hate crimes that we do not trample the constitutional rights that our country depends upon to deliver justice to our society.

16. As it stands now, citizens with concealed weapons permits may legally take their guns into public schools. Do you favor or oppose the current practice?