SALT LAKE CITY?A long standing ban on guns in state offices is at odds with Utah law and likely will be tossed out in the next few months.

The Utah Attorney General’s office has told state lawmakers the ban was effectively negated in 1999 by changes the Legislature made to the state’s gun laws.

The attorney general’s opinion says state employees who hold concealed-weapon permits will likely be able to carry guns on the job.

State officials plan to abandon the gun prohibition, possibly as soon as Jan. 1.

A gun-rights advocate says workers should have the option of carrying guns for self-defense purposes.