Court rules campus gun ban violates law

The Utah Supreme Court has ruled that a gun ban at the University of Utah violates state law.

The 4-1 decision released today said the U did not have autonomous authority under the state Constitution.

"This decision is a victory for the rule of law," Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said in a statement. "It also gives clarity to the University and allows school officials the opportunity to work with legislators to discuss any changes to state laws."

The U filed a lawsuit in 2002 to uphold its campus gun ban. It came after a legal opinion by Shurtleff that the U's firearms policy violated state law that forbade state and local agencies from restricting the use of firearms.

The case has bounced back and forth between state and federal courts. Both the U and the Attorney General's Office have been awaiting a decision since 2004.

In her dissenting opinion, Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine Durham said the U was within its authority to govern academic affairs.

University President Michael Young has scheduled a news conference this afternoon to respond to the ruling.

For more details, check back at deseretnews.com or read tomorrow's edition of the Deseret Morning News.