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OREM -- Police in Orem confronted a man carrying an assault rifle in the parking lot of University Mall Saturday morning.
The Daily Herald of Provo says that people began calling around 9:30 a.m. about a man carrying a rifle in the University Mall parking lot.
Orem Police Lt. Todd Mallison says the man was carrying an assault rifle slung over his chest and a hand gun in a holster. Both guns were unloaded, however, so the man was not arrested.
It is legal in Utah to openly carry unloaded firearms. Mallison told the newspaper the man was aware of the law. Police don't know why the man was carrying the guns.
The incident occurred one week after police say gunman Jared Loughner opened fire at a political event outside a grocery store in Tucson, Ariz., killing six and injuring 13, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
In Utah last August, a disturbed AWOL soldier, Brandon Barrett, was seen fully armed and in full combat gear in downtown Salt Lake City. He got into a gun battle with police. An officer was shot in the leg. He returned fire and killed Barrett.
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Story written by The Associated Press with contributions from Andrew Adams.
