Showdown looms for gun bill

A controversial gun bill that would give the state Legislature ultimate authority on determining if concealed weapons are allowed in public schools and parks moved forward in the Senate on Monday.

SB48, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, advanced to the final debate and vote, 23-5.

Even as Waddoups and other supporters said they do not personally believe guns should be brought to schools by people with a concealed weapons permit, they insisted the people should have that constitutional right.

"Schools and churches are not the places for guns. I don't want them there either," Waddoups said. "However, don't take them away from these good citizens unless you take them away from the criminals. I believe the constitutional right to defend oneself is important."

Waddoups' measure is a response to a 3rd District Court ruling in favor of the University of Utah's policy banning concealed weapons on its campus. The university, in its lawsuit against the state, argued guns have no place in an academic environment that promotes the free exchange of ideas.

SB48 makes it clear that only the Legislature can set policy regarding guns on public property.

Sen. Dave Thomas, R-South Weber, said the U.'s lawsuit upended the process and legislative authority.

"I believe many of us don't believe guns belong there; I don't. But the question is a matter of process," Thomas said. "Instead of the University of Utah coming to us to ask for an exception, they sued and were granted an exemption that clearly was not the intent of the Legislature."

The measure was opposed by Sen. Karen Hale, D-Salt Lake, and other Democrats, who said guns belong in the hands of trained law enforcement only, not someone who may not know how to react under volatile circumstances.

Sen. Patrice Arent, D-South Cottonwood, said even though the right to "bear arms" is a guaranteed constitutional right, those rights often come with reasonable restrictions, like prohibitions against yelling "fire" in a crowded theater.

Concealed weapons, she said, can be pistols, revolvers or sawed-off shotguns.

"Is this really the kind of concealed weapon we want on campus?"

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