Gun bill sponsor wants 'bulletproof' measure

The sponsor of a bill intended to allow Utahns to carry loaded guns in their vehicles even if they don't have a concealed weapons permit said Thursday he's trying to make his proposal "more bulletproof."

Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Lehi, said he's meeting with legislative leaders and others to refine his proposal further. His bill, SB175, still contains no language after being introduced last week under the title, "weapons amendments."

"We'll just see how the political process plays out," Madsen said. "We'll see where it goes. Maybe it'll go to interim. Who knows?"

Controversial bills are sometimes sent to an interim committee for further study after the session ends. Legislative leaders have said they were surprised by Madsen's proposal when the senator first discussed it publicly earlier this week.

His is not the only gun-related bill to surface this session. Rep. Michael Morley, R-Spanish Fork, said his HB332 is "just basically a common sense bill."

Morley said his bill would allow Utahns with a concealed weapons permit to leave their guns in their cars if they're someplace that doesn't allow guns to be brought in, such as a workplace.

The bill is a result of three employees at the American Online calling center in Ogden being fired in 2000 for transferring guns among their vehicles in the company's parking lot. Last year, the Utah Supreme Court ruled they didn't have the right to bring guns onto company property if there was a policy prohibiting weapons.