This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A bill approved by the Utah House on Wednesday would eliminate a 1,000-foot buffer zone around schools and day cares where individuals may not openly carry a gun.
Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, had argued that it was impossible for people who happen to be carrying their weapon in plain sight to know when they might stray into the gun-free zone.
The gun-free zone does not apply to those who have a concealed weapons permit.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 58-15 and it now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The House also stripped an amendment that had been sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Seelig, D-Salt Lake City, which would have held a gun owner financially liable for costs that would result if a school has to go into lockdown because of a gun-owner's carelessness.
Seelig said she has been assured that language would be included in another bill that is being drafted.
Oda had originally included language that would have ended a prohibition on the open carry of weapons on the campuses of state-run colleges or universities, but said that was a mistake and the provision was removed.