From Deseret News archives:
U. suspends ban on guns
Action is temporary while university works with Utah lawmakers
A request for a stay in its federal court case to maintain a weapons-free campus was granted by U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball on Monday. The joint motion, giving lawmakers and university officials time to discuss further options, will remain in effect until March 31.
"We have agreed, with the Attorney General's Office, to suspend temporarily enforcement of our policy regarding firearms on campus and modify our practices to comply with state law," U. President Michael K. Young said in an e-mail to faculty, staff and students Monday.
The e-mail also contained an outline of current provisions in state law and how they apply to the university, related to the possession and use of firearms on campus.
Young emphasized there are still limitations to having guns on campus, adding, "Utah law prohibits weapons on school property, including college campuses, except for firearms that are in the possession of a concealed-weapons permit holder."
He also noted school police officers are available to respond to any situation in which an individual feels threatened on campus.
He said that rather than pursuing further federal action, school leaders will meet with state leaders to reach a compromise on the state law that was upheld by the Utah Supreme Court last week.
The high court ruled the weapons ban runs counter to Utah law, which prevents state and local agencies from restricting possession or use of firearms on public or private property.
The university sued Attorney General Mark Shurtleff — first in U.S. District Court in 2002 and then in 3rd District Court in 2003 — after he said the law applied to the school. The federal court told the university to resolve the state issues in 3rd District Court before returning to federal court.
Contributing: The Associated Press
E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com
Comments
- Fans greet 'New Moon' stars 6:37 p.m.
- Eisenhower home oozes charm 5:54 p.m.
- New designation for Clinton Museum 5:54 p.m.
- RDP brings family-oriented 'Joyride II' 5:54 p.m.
- Sculptor turns scrap metal into art 5:54 p.m.
- Art canvas 5:54 p.m.
- Galleries 5:54 p.m.
- BYU exhibit evokes identity questions 5:54 p.m.
- Literary footnotes 5:54 p.m.
- Bookmarks 5:54 p.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Born of water and the spirit
- Snowstorm hits Utah; 1 dead in crash
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- Woods Cross refinery to shut down
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
354 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights199
- Senators want food tax restored164
- Will state consider gay rights law?148
- Letters: Strange breed in Utah129
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?124
- Utes remain silent about BCS120
- S.L. vote pending on gay protections113
- No. 22 BYU holds off pesky Lobos108
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges105
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
Latest comments
The idea that anybody else but you is capable of interpreting the...
I miss the days with Malone, Stockton and Hornacek, those guys were injured,...
Not a pretty win, but way to and yet another win BYU. I love this team....
My prayers go to this family for the loss of their fine young son. God bless...
Seriously if you want to hear the arguments of Progressives it won't be on...
Don't go out of your way or anything on reporting here. Four sentences is all...
re: So Sweet The REAL joy has returned. Utah has just tied it with TCU,...
AF, WYO, and CSU are all ranked higher than the pathetic NM.
Even at the time of the Colonies, White Christian men who owned property were...
BYU will most likely drop out of the the top 25 with this Junior high school...
You can be the first to comment on this story.