Campus gun bill before the Legislature
Last week the Utah Legislature proposed a bill that would serve as a compromise between the groups lobbying for and against gun rights on college campuses in Utah. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, would allow students who live in the dorms to choose if they wanted roommates who carried concealed weapons. It would also allow members of the faculty to decide if they wanted to allow guns into their offices.
Arguments over the constitutionality of the new bill have already begun. Gun rights advocates argue that the second Amendment allows those with concealed weapon licenses to carry firearms on most public property, including college campuses. Those against allowing concealed weapons on campus contend that it just isn’t safe to have firearms on campus.
Regarding the current law, USU Police Chief Steve Mecham said, “Essentially the law prohibits dangerous weapons from school grounds, which in this case includes college campuses, except for those who have a concealed weapons permit.”
The new bill was written after problems arose at the University of Utah. The U had a policy restricting concealed weapons on their campus until a state law in 2004 eliminated those restrictions. The U sued over the law. They lost in the Utah Supreme Court, and the case is moving on to federal appeals. If the new bill passes, the U is willing to drop the lawsuit.
If Bell’s bill is passed, it could mean some changes at USU. On-campus students would make the decision regarding living with other students carrying concealed weapons. Faculty members who do not want concealed weapons in their offices would have to post signs outside of their offices to inform students.
USU has already taken precautions for gun safety. Mecham said, “The USU Police Department provides secure storage for firearms belonging to USU Housing residents. We encourage these residents to use this service. Students who store their firearms in our facility have 24-hour access to their firearms.”
Within the next few weeks, Bell’s bill will be argued in the state senate. Protests from both sides of the issue are expected to be raised. If the bill is passed it will take effect next year.
-katreeves@cc.usu.edu