Gun bans may not be allowed in parking lots
2 firearms bills by Madsen getting support in Senate
SB78 is an attempt to balance private property rights with the right to bear arms, said sponsoring Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Lehi. The measure allows a religious group, or a company that operates a secure facility, to continue to prohibit guns from being stored in their parking lots.
"What happens if they (a gun owner) have employers that have policies that ban guns in the parking lot?" Madsen said. "That impacts employees beyond the workplace. It impacts them after work when the want to get a bite to eat at a Trolley Square."
But Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, said he worried that passing the measure would be an incremental step toward allowing guns in all privately owned facilities.
"We're departing from a long-established law in the state of Utah and that is that an employer can protect his property," Bell said. SB78 now moves to the Senate's third reading calendar, where it will be voted up or down.
By a 26-3 vote, the Senate also approved SB201, a second gun-rights bill sponsored by Madsen. It now goes to the House.
The bill would prohibit the government from confiscating lawfully owned weapons in the event of a declared emergency, including from people with concealed weapons permits.
Madsen said he realized the need for the bill after seeing news reports of guns being taken from New Orleans residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Disarming innocent citizens, he said, left them defenseless.
Sen. Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake, said she had a hard time understanding how the bill would make people safer during a disaster. And Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, questioned why lawmakers should take away a power of the governor and other authorities they might feel is needed in a disaster.
But Madsen said that when "your 911 services isn't going to do you any good," the responsibility for protecting loved ones will rest with gun owners.
He said his bill provides that "when times get really tough, the government can't step in and make it worse" for law-abiding citizens by taking away their means of protection.
E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com, lisa@desnews.com
Recent comments
I consider my vehicle to some degree an extension of my home. During...
Jason | Feb. 19, 2009 at 10:36 a.m.
- Stocks falter 11:39 a.m.
- Mandela stays away from exhibition 11:38 a.m.
- Obama artist makes plea deal 11:33 a.m.
- Cuba acknowledges desertion 11:30 a.m.
- Goosen shoots 63 to lead Scottish 11:29 a.m.
- Boston man begs to repay Brady 11:28 a.m.
- Movsisyan to remain through season 11:22 a.m.
- Teacher faces new sex charges 11:19 a.m.
- Lawmaker: CIA dir. ended program 11:09 a.m.
- Ships ending search for black boxes 11:07 a.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
140 - Letters: Palin mistreated
137 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
135 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
117 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
79 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
73 - Letters: Single-payer system best
70 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
By now you've probably read about the investigation that showed just how...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
Mexican teams make great rivals for MLS teams. Pachuca and Houston have a...
boozer for JUST thomas is horrible....you people know nothing....
West Jordan Fire Department doesn't have too good of a track record when it...
Fui set the standard for RMs who work hard to keep in shape and come back...
Chuck, you said that "the hate crimes statute has never been used against...
Okur is a 3 point shooting threat and his stats are impressive. He works...
A mens downhill program with very few examples of "excellence" gets a "center...
You must see this temple for yourself. It is amazing.
The myth that I wish would stop going around in our Church is that there is...
My spokesman say's he doubts Mr Paiva's truthfulness


