While both candidates for Utah attorney general agree that they must uphold state laws, they differ on where limited resources should be allocated.

For example, Utah law may allow concealed weapon permit holders to carry their guns practically anywhere, but Democratic candidate Greg Skordas said he would not devote excessive amounts of money and staff time to fight a University of Utah prohibition on guns. He would instead use those resources to better fight sex crimes, fraud and property crimes.

Republican incumbent Mark Shurtleff said he already allocates most of his additional resources to fighting the crimes most prevalent in Utah, especially Internet sex predators and identity theft. He also focuses on educating people about the dangers of such crimes, focusing heavily on the groups most susceptible to becoming victims.

The role of the attorney general, and the differences in how each candidate would use the office, was the theme of an hourlong debate Monday at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Shurtleff and Skordas also explained their positions about how to prevent identity theft, protect children from sex predators and how to reduce sexual assaults and property crimes, which both occur in Utah at a higher rate than national averages.

The first question about weapons was not asked until halfway through the debate, but the issue dominated most of the final 30 minutes. It was also the topic on which the candidates seemed to differ the most, although both emphasized that they would not try to overrule current law.

"The attorney general has to be a person who doesn't inflict their personal views on the interpretation of the law," Shurtleff said. "The Legislature is elected to make the laws. The attorney general is elected to uphold those laws."

Skordas, on the other hand, said that while the attorney general must uphold the law, he can help sway lawmakers' opinions. Regarding guns, that could mean an attorney general who urges more oversight of gun ownership.

"There needs to be limitations on gun ownership," Skordas said. "I'm not sure we should be as loose in this state with guns as we are, and having a proactive attorney general might help in that regard."

Both candidates agreed that there is always more work to be done in preventing crimes and that the greatest limitation is funding. In tight budget years, finding more police officers without raising taxes — as lawmakers in Utah are loath to pursue — can be daunting, and requires different tactics, Shurtleff said.

"More officers cost money, and it is a budgeting issue," he said. "We need to deal with what we have while there is a tight budget."

Skordas, however, said that without more funding for police officers and prevention programs, crimes will be tough to reduce.

"People don't want to hear about raising taxes, but that's what it will take," Skordas said. "We need more officers, and we need to train them better."

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com