Senate Bill 251, an anticipated piece of legislation to limit concealed firearm permit carriers on campus, was made available to the public today.
The bill, which was prepared by a committee of legislators and a representative of the U, would allow administrators and staff to elect whether or not weapons can be carried into their offices.
The measure sponsored by Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, would also require that offices where guns are banned post notices outside the office and provide a secure container for the weapons to be kept.
Students living in Residence Halls would likewise be allowed to decide whether or not they room with concealed weapons permit holders.
The bill is a far cry from what U administrators had hoped for. University of Utah President Michael K. Young originally said he wanted the bill to ban students and faculty from carrying guns in the Residence Halls, hospitals and athletic venues.
“The bill is not all we would have hoped for,” said Dave Pershing, senior vice president for academic affairs.
Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-West Jordan, said that if the bill passes, it would make little substantial change.
The bill has not yet been presented in committee.