< Previous Page
And Late in the session, lawmakers rushed through a change that would allow the appointment of a special counsel to investigate election law complaints against the attorney general, rather than turning them over to the attorney general, himself.
"I think it has made us far more sensitive to conflicts. You haven’t seen the fights, people trying to steamroll special interests through," Bramble said. "I think there’s been a conscious move to be more statesmanlike."
If there was a topic that created a crossfire, it was attempts to liberalize Utah’s already permissive gun laws — with bills doing away with Utah’s concealed-weapons permit system for residents and another that initially would have allowed the arrest of federal law enforcement officers that try to enforce new federal gun laws.
The latter bill was watered down and the former is awaiting action by Herbert, who has expressed reservations about it.
"President Obama has probably been the biggest guns and ammunition salesman in America," said Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, who says the bills brought to the Legislature were a reaction to the threat of federal erosion of gun rights.
Rep. Tim Cosgrove, D-Murray, also called the bills reactionary, and said what is really needed is "a serious discussion about guns," asking if Utahns want people carrying guns "in trolley square or temple square."
"Do we want to live in a world where everyone is carrying a gun?" Cosgrove asked.
-
Ogden cop-shooting suspect Matthew Stewart dead in jailhouse suicide
Published May 25, 2013 01:01:08AM -
Tuacahn gears up for three outdoor plays, one indoor production
Published May 25, 2013 01:01:06AM -
On the Job: Learn how to avoid procrastination
Published May 25, 2013 01:01:06AM -
Small Talk: Made in the USA back in style for small businesses
Published May 25, 2013 01:01:06AM
Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
