Shurtleff addresses gun issues
About 30 Utah State University students listened to Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff Thursday as he rehashed issues about banning guns on university campuses.
The Students of the Second Amendment sponsored the informal meeting.
As an ongoing debate, USU has stood in the shadows concerning gun policies. It does not have a campuswide gun policy and does not prohibit students or faculty from carrying guns on campus with a permit.
“I strongly believe that putting more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens will reduce crimes,” Shurtleff said. “We’re simply protecting ourselves and our families.”
The University of Utah filed a lawsuit against Shurtleff in November, defending its right to ban guns on campus. However, Shurtleff emphasized the fact that the right to bear arms is an individual right in Utah, and the Legislature is the sole authority that can make laws concerning fire arms.
“Whether I agree with a law or disagree, I don’t make it. I enforce it,” he said. “State law says you can’t carry a gun on campus unless you’re a concealed-weapon permit holder. [Not having guns on campus] is not the issue; the issue is who has the right to determine that. No matter how high you get in your ivory tower, you’ll never be above the law.”
About two years ago, the city council in Virgin, Utah, passed an ordinance stating that every person who owns a house in that city must own a fire arm, which was against state law.
“It’s important that we have a consistent law so that those who are law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment right and have met the requirements of the state to carry a concealed weapon know what the laws are, that they aren’t going to change [throughout the state]. The Legislature has the power to make that determination,” Shurtleff said.
Many students are split on the topic. Brian Morrison, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, feels that carrying a concealed weapon on campus is a benefit.
“I agree that responsible gun owners are not a threat. Having guns on campus can be a really positive thing. It’s not about guns; it’s about our right to protect ourselves,” he said.
Craig Huntzinger, president of Students of the Second Amendment, feels there is a stigma among students that everyone who carries guns is a criminal.
“I’m confident in saying that most people who are carrying guns are pretty good people,” he said.
However, no matter how responsible a person carrying a concealed weapon is, Julia Nielsen, a senior majoring in biology, does not agree with having guns on campus.
“I don’t think that would be safe. Even if they have a license, I still wouldn’t be comfortable with that,” she said.
Katy Newman, a junior majoring in music education, said she feels the same way.
“[A gun] could get in the wrong hands, and there is no way to protect that,” she said.
However, some students feel that people just are not educated enough about gun control.
Morrison said, “If more students became more educated about this, I think they’d be surprised at what they find.”
Alma Cole, a sophomore majoring in business information systems, said the only way some people learn about guns is through the media and movies.
“There’s a lot of ignorance out there,” he said.
Students of the Second Amendment is trying to better inform students about the Second Amendment and the issues that relate to it.
“Students across the nation are not informed enough,” Huntzinger said.
Shurtleff answered questions from the audience regarding Utah’s gun laws and the responsibilities of residents. Proving his point, Shurtleff wore his own concealed weapon during the meeting.
“It is an awesome responsibility. Gun owners should get very proficient in the use even though state law doesn’t mandate that for you,” he said.
Shurtleff is one of the few elected officials who supports gun owners in Utah.
Huntzinger said, “I’m really happy that we finally have an elected official for once that sticks up for gun owners.”
–mmackay@cc.usu.edu