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House adopts compromise allowing limited roommate requests on campus firearm rules
Summary
The Utah House adopted a second substitute to S.B. 251 that recognizes the Legislature's authority over firearms on public campuses and lets higher-education institutions permit dorm residents to request roommates who are not licensed concealed carriers; the bill passed the House 52-13 and was returned to the Senate.
The Utah House on Feb. 28 adopted a second substitute to Senate Bill 251, a measure that clarifies legislative authority over firearms in higher-education institutions and creates a narrow dorm-room accommodation allowing residents to request roommates who are not licensed concealed carriers. Representative Brown, the bill sponsor, said the change followed lengthy negotiations with higher-education officials and a working group led by Senator Bell.
"This will give them the answer," Representative Brown said, referring to parents who call colleges asking whether students can be placed in housing where firearms are not present. Brown moved adoption of the second substitute and the House adopted it after brief questioning and remarks from colleagues.
During a question-and-answer exchange, Representative Oda asked whether a student who carries would be required to disclose that fact. Brown replied, "Absolutely not. That's precluded in law." Brown and other supporters said the change does not require carriers to identify themselves; it only allows students who do not want to live with a concealed carrier to request reassignment through housing contract procedures.
The House vote closed with 52 yes and 13 no votes. The bill will be referred back to the Senate for further consideration. Representative Brown told the chamber that, as part of the compromise, the university had agreed to drop any further federal litigation on the issue.
