House panel clears bill on guns and schools

A House committee has passed a bill that would allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry their weapons onto school campuses.

SB108 would clarify the state code so that permit-holders would not be charged criminally. Prosecutors asked Sen. Mike Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, to carry the bill and clarify conflicts in state law that outlaw "dangerous materials" and weapons on school campuses.

Another statute prevents permit holders from carrying except in a few restricted areas, including prisons, courts and airports.

The bill would also change the way places of worship can express gun policies. Churches could forgo posting notices at entrances and instead could use public notices in newspapers or church newsletters.

The bill moved out of the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice passed on a vote of 6-4. Voting no were from Reps. Pat Jones, D-Cottonwood Heights, David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, Duane Bourdeaux, D-Salt Lake, and LaVar Christensen, R-Draper. Jones was concerned the bill would strip school administrators of the right to prevent gun-carriers from bringing their weapons onto a campus. And Christensen said he believed there were concerns about church notifications and said the bill might conflict with other concealed weapons law being addressed in other proposed bills.

Lawmakers twice tried to skirt around dealing with the issue. Jones moved to the adjourn the meeting and Christensen moved to skip to the next agenda item without a vote, but both motions failed.

Rep. Mike Morely, R-Spanish Fork said he had concerns about the bill, but thinks it needs a debate by the the full House.