The University of Utah will drop its federal lawsuit seeking a campus gun ban, according to a resolution approved Monday by the institution's Board of Trustees.

The suit, filed in federal court in 2001, sought approval of a campus-wide gun ban on the grounds that the school had authority to make such rules to protect academic freedoms and safety on campus.

The Utah Supreme Court struck down the U.'s gun ban in September, saying the school had no authority to make rules contrary to state statute. That ruling, however, did not void the school's previous federal claims.

U. leaders, however, are dropping those claims as part of a deal with state legislators that ended in a new law allowing U. students to request not to live with concealed weapons permit holders in the residence halls. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. signed that bill, SB251, Monday.

The compromise legislation is diluted from the school leaders' original hopes of a campus-wide ban, or at least a ban in certain areas like sports arenas, faculty offices and classrooms.

Kim Wirthlin, vice president of government relations at the U., said university leaders are willing to drop the claims because the dorm provision is at least a step toward making students safe on campus.

"The Board shares the University administration's commitment to maintain a safe campus, free from violence or intimidation," the resolution states. "In support of this commitment, we have sought to address the safety concerns of faculty, staff, students and patients while respecting the rights of concealed weapon permit holders."

The resolution recommends the university administration seek dismissal of the federal lawsuit, "thus concluding all litigation on the issue of concealed weapons on campus."

School leaders are not, however, promising not to seek broader-reaching gun bans in the future.

---

E-mail: estewart@desnews.com