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Lawmakers and higher-education officials appear to have agreed on a bill that would enable universities to regulate guns in student dormitories and faculty and staff offices and put an end to a protracted legal battle over guns on campus.

Sen. Gregory Bell, R-Fruit Heights, on Thursday confirmed he will sponsor SB251, which was not yet available to the public.

But University of Utah President Michael Young has seen it and characterized it as "the best option available to us."

If the bill passes, the U., which has led the fight for gun restrictions on campuses, will drop its federal lawsuit against the state, he said.

"Our satisfaction level is sufficient to not pursue'' federal remedies, Young said. "I don't think it's optimal for state agencies to solve our differences through litigation."

Most universities had policies banning guns before a 2004 Utah law allowed those holding concealed weapons permits to carry guns on campuses and in other previously protected areas. The U. sued over the law and eventually lost in the Utah Supreme Court last fall.

In a Thursday letter to U. faculty, students and staff, Young acknowledged that "the bill is not all that we hoped for," but added that concessions regarding dorms and student and faculty offices "reflect the current legal and political realities."

While the U. could pursue further action in the federal courts, "a favorable outcome is not at all assured," Young wrote, emphasizing the bill may be the best route for ensuring safety on campus.

"Coming to some common ground on this issue is important if we are to move forward."

The bill is the result of meetings between higher education officials, legislative leaders and lawmakers representing gun-rights interests.

They met during several weeks and Bell says they crafted language that will survive legislative scrutiny. He said the bill has a "good chance" of passing and that legislative leaders have been supportive.

The legislation does face challenges.

"I'm not comfortable with it yet," Rep. Curtis Oda, R-Clearfield, said after glancing through a draft Thursday.

Clark Aposhian, chairman of Utah's Department of Public Safety Concealed Carry Review Board, disagrees with the bill's entire premise.

"Until any entity including universities can show me an actual problem and then show me how banning firearms would solve that problem, I'm not inclined to support any type of a ban," he said.

Young remains hopeful.

"The negotiations proceeded on a very amicable basis," Young said. "I think we achieved something very useful in that we can assure parents, faculty and staff that [the U.] is a safe, compatible environment."

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* SHEENA MCFARLAND can be contacted at smcfarland@sltrib.com or 801-257-8619.

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* NICOLE STRICKER can be contacted at nstricker@sltrib.com or 801-257-8999.