With less than a week left in the legislative session, lawmakers are making a last minute push to pass a bill that would eliminate the U’s no-gun policy.
The bill does not single out the U, but includes many state agencies with rules restricting firearms.
Today, the Senate Rules Committee will vote on the bill. To repeal the gun policies, the bill must pass through the Senate and House before the legislative session ends Mar. 6.
The bill would eliminate U Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities, III Student Standards of Behavior, item six; which states: “Possession or use on university premises or at university activities of any firearm or other dangerous weapon, incendiary device, explosive or chemical unless such possession or use has been authorized by the university. “
Despite added pressure created by the bill, U administrators remain steadfast, standing behind the policy which prohibits students, faculty and staff?but not visitors?from carrying weapons, concealed or otherwise, on campus.
Vice President for University Relations Fred Esplin said if the bill passes, the U would file a lawsuit with the federal district court to seek a judge’s ruling on the U’s policy.
The gun rules came under fire last year when Attorney General Mark Shurtleff told lawmakers that the state Legislature alone had the right to create gun laws unless it gave that right to another entity.
Universities and colleges have not been given that right and are therefore breaking the law, Shurtleff said.
“I understand [Machen’s] going to file a friendly lawsuit to establish what rights the U has and what rights they don’t have, and I encourage that,” said Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas.
If the bill passes, Esplin said the U would most likely file the lawsuit within a week.
In January, U President Bernie Machen defended the policy, stating that most students, employees and even the majority of the citizens of Utah believe guns do not belong on campus.
“Classrooms, libraries, dormitories and cafeterias are no place for lethal weapons,” he said. “The essence, indeed the very heart, of a college experience is the free exchange of ideas in a nurturing environment. Students who are being introduced to new concepts, who are grappling to understand new ideas, must feel they can openly express their views and question those ideas in a safe setting” without having “that debate diminished by concern over who has a gun in his backpack.”
In an earlier interview, Machen maintained the legality of the gun ban because the policy protects “academic freedom” that is vital to the learning environment of colleges and universities.