This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

LAYTON - Wednesday was shaping up to be a long, boring day for Utah lawmakers on a Davis County visit that promised presentations on composite technology, highway congestion and a hoedown on Antelope Island.

Then their tour buses pulled over at the gate to the Chevron refinery and four of their colleagues dramatically filed off to unholster concealed guns.

"It was one of those 'Only in Utah' experiences," said Rep. Roz McGee, who, along with everyone else, watched from the bus.

The four dug out their handguns (one from an ankle holster) and turned them over to National Rifle Association lobbyist Clark Aposhian, who stored them in his car until they finished the tour of the refinery.

Chevron, unlike the Legislature and the University of Utah, does not allow weapons on its premises.

The identities of three of the pistol packers came as no surprise to lawmakers: Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield; Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Lehi, and Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman.

But several were startled to learn that Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, president of the lobbying group Utah Taxpayers Association, packed heat.

Oda, who regularly sponsors guns-rights legislation, acknowledged that the pre-arranged stop to stow their handguns was meant to make a point: "If we have to find ways to carry our guns, we'll find them," he said.

Many lawmakers thought the pistol hand-off, which delayed the tour a few minutes, inconsiderate. They wondered why the four could not have left their guns at home for the day considering they were forewarned the tour was stopping at sensitive security sites, including Chevron and Hill Air Force Base.

"Are they paranoid or what?" asked Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay.

Wimmer, a cop, explained, "I would sooner leave home without my pants than my gun."

Madsen, a gun rights advocate, said, "I didn't want to be without protection all day."

A member of the Republican leadership, a self-described staunch Second Amendment supporter, shook his head. "When you take it to this level to make a point, it's asinine and hurts your own cause."