Utah: "Concealed-Weapons Bill Gets Legs"

[cuchulainn]

http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Feb/02082003/utah/27490.asp

Concealed-Weapons Bill Gets Legs

BY KIRSTEN STEWART
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

A bill paving the way for concealed-weapon permit holders to carry guns onto school grounds walked away victorious from a Capitol showdown on how best to harmonize conflicting gun laws.

Senate Judiciary committee members advanced Senate Bill 108 in a 4-2 vote -- striking down substitute legislation to ban legally concealed weapons -- after testimonies from parents, educators and gun owners.

At the behest of the Statewide Prosectors Association, Senate Majority Leader Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, sponsored the prevailing bill to clear up muddy statutes.

The legislation repeals a law that bans "dangerous" weapons from schools and reinforces a statute that says concealed-weapon permit holders can carry their weapons "without restriction" except in a large airport, prisons, jails and courtrooms.

"I don't want guns on school campuses; I believe we should have zero tolerance," said Waddoups. "However, we're doing nothing to keep the criminals off the campuses."

Backers of the legislation argued state law already is in their favor and that there is no evidence to suggest legally concealed weapons pose harm to Utah's schoolchildren.

Perhaps, suggested Marla Kennedy of the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, that's because "we had the statute prohibiting guns from schools."

Kennedy, along with the Utah Board of Education and PTA, supported a bill by Sen. Patrice Arent, D-Salt Lake City, that also clarified state law but banned weapons from schools with a few exceptions.

PTA member Gayle Ruzicka, also a member of the conservative Utah Eagle Forum, challenged the PTA's stand, saying it was not representative of the group's members.

Paul Ray, gun owner and a former lawmaker, accused Arent of pushing "a liberal agenda to infringe on our rights to bear arms."

"This is not a vendetta against gun owners," Arent said. "My husband has worked as an instructor for the NRA. The basic premise is that guns don't belong in schools even if a person has a concealed-weapon permit."

But lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, soundly rejected Arent's proposal.

Said Sen. James Evans, R-Salt Lake, "I think there is a false conclusion which states that safety equals no guns in schools. I wonder if a janitor or teacher at Columbine had a concealed weapon how many children's lives would have been saved."

Waddoups' bill now moves to the Senate floor with an amendment that would make it easier for churches to notify the public about their gun policies.

© Copyright 2003, The Salt Lake Tribune

 

[TheOtherOne]

Said Sen. James Evans, R-Salt Lake, "I think there is a false conclusion which states that safety equals no guns in schools. I wonder if a janitor or teacher at Columbine had a concealed weapon how many children's lives would have been saved."

It's good to know there's still a few politicians out there with their heads on straight.

 

[Frohickey]

"This is not a vendetta against gun owners," Arent said. "My husband has worked as an instructor for the NRA. The basic premise is that guns don't belong in schools even if a person has a concealed-weapon permit."

I knew a friend of a friend that saw someone touch a gun!

When guns were at school, back in the 40s-50s, there were no school shootings. Now that guns are banned in school....

 

[waterdog]

Cool

waterdog

 

[Standing Wolf]

Well done, Utah!

I see no reason our civil rights should be declared null and void anywhere.

 

[El Tejon]

Thank goodness for the end of the government sponsored slaughter pen. Now if the collection of dim bulbs in Indianapolis we call The General Assembly would do the same!

 

[w.Clark]

CCW in Schhols

We have been carrying in Utah schools since 1995.
All this bill was intended to do was clarify an old statute.
(a housekeepping bill) The anti's wanted to get a chance at it again after they failed twice to get an initiative passed that would have banned them. If the law was already there why the heck did they send thier people out for the initative?