Hardy also said he is unaware of any penalty laid out in state or federal statute that actually serves as a deterrent to crime.

"We're still a capital punishment state," said Hardy, who emphasized he was speaking on behalf of himself only and not for GOUtah! "If the big death penalty won't deter you from the attempted homicide, then a felony change (in gun laws related to juveniles) won't either."

Hardy said Anderson shouldn't be asking the Legislature to solve what appears to be a crime problem in Salt Lake City.

But the Legislature has left the mayor no other choice, said Marla Kennedy, executive director of Utah's Gun Violence Prevention Center. Twice in the last five years, bills have passed, stating that only the Legislature has the authority to make gun policy.

"The mayor has no choice but to go begging at (the Legislature's) feet," Kennedy said. "I think he's doing what he should be doing. If he has any luck with them, I've got a few more ideas for him."

Anderson's plea is a "good first step" toward changing Utah's "bad gun policy," Kennedy added. From concealed weapons permit laws to those that allows permit holders to carry guns onto school campuses, the state has a permissive attitude toward gun rights and has a poor record of passing laws that increase safety, she said.

Lawmakers have historically passed some penalty enhancement laws — there are dozens on the books, including those that increase the penalties for crimes committed against police officers, legislators and for gang crimes — which may give Anderson a chance on the hill, Kennedy added.

"This is changing policy; it's a penalty enhancement," she said. "I think this has a good shot."

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jdobner@desnews.com