From Deseret News archives:
U. redirects gun fight
School asks legislators to preserve part of ban
After losing a lengthy and costly court battle, U. President Michael Young is working with legislators to find if the no-guns rule could work in limited circumstances such as in residence halls and athletic venues.
The school's five-year court battle ended in September when the Utah Supreme Court struck down the gun ban at the state's flagship university, saying the school had no authority to make policy contrary to state statute. Although school leaders initially said they would continue with a federal case, Young has now decided to try to work through the Legislature after already spending roughly $300,000 battling through the courts.
John Morris, the U.'s general counsel, said that money came from discretionary donations to the university and not from tax or tuition funds.
"Like any wise lawyer, litigation ought to be a last alternative, not a first one. I wasn't here, so I don't know what kinds of conversations occurred," Young said.
The Legislature is where Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said the discussion should have taken place all along, noted Brent Burnett, assistant Utah attorney general.
"The university needs to take its concerns to the Legislature, and they were not doing that," Burnett said. "The U. originally made claims that they had the right to make decisions independent of the Legislature. The Utah Supreme Court said, 'No, it's for the Legislature, not for the university."'
Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said he's already put together an informal task force to work with Young on finding a middle ground to the school's strict no-gun law, which started in 1977 and has been suspended following the state Supreme Court's decision.
Valentine said most legislators want to work with the U. to address communal living situations like dormitories that can complicate the rights of concealed-weapons permit carriers. In particular, school leaders are hoping to keep guns out of residence halls and athletic arenas, said Kim Wirthlin, vice president for government relations at the U.
"Coming to a university can be a stressful experience, and we're concerned that if guns are in some of these areas, there could be accidental discharges," she said. "People could be injured could be killed and that kind of an environment is one where circumstances could be out of someone's control, so it makes sense not to have guns."
"The Legislature wants a uniform law across all the state so everybody knows where you can and can't do things," he said. "It could have been any issue."
E-mail: estewart@desnews.com
Comments
- Two American pilots die in Iraq 12:47 a.m.
- Murder suspect is vetran, avid skier 12:47 a.m.
- MLB: Zambrano's mom kidnapped 12:32 a.m.
- Lambert surprisingly tops news 12:25 a.m.
- Philadelphia transit strike ends 12:25 a.m.
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd 12:24 a.m.
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf' 12:17 a.m.
- RSL unfazed by conference final 12:17 a.m.
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated 12:17 a.m.
- Today on TV 12:13 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
201 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
151 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
129 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
101 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
88
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
NASA's Stardust probe continues to bring new knowledge about the nature...
STOP blaming the Democrats, BLAME THE REPUBLICANS FOR 8 YEARS DOING NOTHING...
The best way to break the law is to become someone who enforces the law.
It's a real shame so many folks have never gotten out and gotten to know the...
It's all talk... you do not have any evidence for your claims. You assume...
Maybe if you could bat .408 in the major leagues, you too would be paid a...
I prefer the “Wizard of Earthsea” quartet by Ursula Le Guin, an...
The bottom line question that no one can possibly answer is; what will be the...
It looks to me like special treatment.
Jazz will have a tough week, with what should be a easy win against the...
I am very excited for this game. As much as I want the Utes to win, it won't...



You can be the first to comment on this story.