If Utahns want to carry a loaded weapon in their automobiles, there's a mechanism in existing law that permits them to do that: a concealed weapons permit.

The state of Utah has issued more than 63,000 of these permits, mostly to Utahns but some to residents of other states. Permit holders can carry a loaded and concealed weapon in their automobiles, on their person or onto school property. To be exempt from those three laws, permit applicants undergo background checks and attend classes to learn about the law, the safe storage of weapons and related issues. The permit is good for five years and costs $59, which covers the required background checks.

Certain people are barred from obtaining the permits, such as felons, people adjudicated as mentally incompetent, or those convicted of violent crimes and other specific offenses. Between October 2003 and September 2004, the state denied more than 2,000 applications. The state runs regular checks on permit holders to ensure they're abiding by the law or complying with other conditions of the permit. The state has revoked about 200 permits a year over the past five years.

Although the Deseret Morning News has never been a proponent of Utah's concealed weapons law — largely over concerns that some required instruction has been found to be insufficient and that concealed weapons can be carried into public schools — the permit process is far better public policy than proposed legislation that would allow any Utahn to carry a loaded gun in his or her automobile.

Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Lehi, says SB175 would give gun owners the same access to guns in their vehicles as they have in their homes. The bill has not yet been released for public inspection, but preliminary discussions about the proposal are troubling. Unlike the concealed weapons permit process, which ensures only law-abiding people can carry loaded — but concealed — firearms in their vehicles, anyone could have a loaded weapon at his disposal in a vehicle. This poses unnecessary risk for law-enforcement officers and the public at-large.

Madsen contends that the bill is an extension of the "your home is your castle" philosophy. Unlike one's "castle," a car is mobile. If an automobile is left unlocked and unattended, a gun can fall into the wrong hands. Children, too many of whom are killed, injured or maimed as a result of easy access to guns in their homes, would be particularly at risk under Madsen's proposal.

Police officers, who already face substantial danger when they make traffic stops, don't need the added risk of a law that permits private citizens to carry loaded guns in their cars. Existing law requires concealed weapons permit holders to identify themselves and tell the police they are carrying a gun during any contact with police. Otherwise, the officer can assume the person is carrying a gun illegally and take defensive action.

Madsen's bill is a step backward in terms of public safety and the safety of law enforcement officers. Legislators need to put the brakes on this "mobile castle" foolishness.