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Utah Senate amends bill to make state firearm rules apply to state entities; debate centers on campuses and private property rights
Summary
Senate Bill 48, to clarify that uniform firearm rules apply to state entities including universities, was amended to preserve private-property owners’ ability to restrict firearms. Lawmakers debated campus safety, private-property rights and the proper scope of legislative authority before the bill was placed on the third‑reading calendar after a roll call.
Senate Bill 48, a measure intended to clarify that state uniform firearm law applies to state entities including institutions of higher education, was amended and placed on the Senate’s third‑reading calendar after extended floor debate on Feb. 12, 2004.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Watts, told colleagues the legislation was prompted by a court decision affecting the University of Utah that, in his view, conflicted with legislative intent. "Let me give you the definition of state entity," he said while reviewing statutory language he said included institutions of higher education and therefore should not exempt universities from the state’s concealed‑weapon rules.
Senator Bell offered an amendment to make explicit that the bill governs governmental action and does not prevent private property owners from restricting firearms on their property. Bell argued the amendment was intended to clarify legislative intent, not to alter private‑property rights; he said the original draft could be read as preventing anyone from restricting firearms on private property and that was not the bill’s intent. The amendment was placed and then adopted by the Senate.
A broad slate of senators debated campus safety, ranging from those who argued universities should be able to determine campus policies to those who said concealed‑carry permit holders are vetted and should not be barred from campuses. Senator Eric, citing university policies and editorials, warned that campuses have long chosen to prohibit firearms to protect a learning environment; "Guns, concealed or otherwise, don't belong on college campuses," he quoted from local commentary. Senator Wadips (the sponsor) responded by describing personal safety concerns that led him to live off campus and by defending the vetting process for concealed‑carry permits.
The Senate called the question and read SB48 for a third time. On the roll call the presiding officer announced the tally as 23 ayes, 5 nays and one member "being asked," and the measure was placed on the third‑reading calendar.
What’s next: The bill, as amended to preserve private‑property owners’ ability to restrict firearms on their premises, will appear on the Senate’s third‑reading calendar for final consideration.
