A bill in the Legislature would allow concealed weapons permit holders to openly carry firearms on nearly any publicly owned area, including sports arenas, hospitals and university campuses.
However, Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, proposed an amendment to HB473, exempting universities from the legislation. Some members argued open carry at colleges could hamper faculty recruitment and retention efforts.
"I had an interesting conversation with a distinguished college professor in the state," said Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville. "He asked 'What are you guys doing, going to allow students to carry guns into my class as a sidearm, ready to pull or draw at any time? If that happens, I'm leaving the state, and I'm not the only one.'"
Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake City, whose district includes the University of Utah, echoed those concerns, citing a dean of a college who is trying to recruit professors for the USTAR program.
"This dean said to me that he knows of faculty members who will probably leave the University of Utah and accept a position at an institution out-of-state if the very worst form of this legislation were to pass," she said. "He said also it is hampering their recruitment efforts. The statutes of this state with regard to concealed weapons are well known among academics."
They aren't the only ones paying attention to the debate. several national news agencies have covered the bill as it made its way through the Legislature.
However, several lawmakers opposed the amendment, calling it an affront to gun rights.
"This is infringing on law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amend rights," said Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem. "By approving this amendment we are taking existing law and putting restrictions on this existing law. There has never been an incident where the existing law has caused any harm on any university campus."
The Senate still must vote on the bill.
