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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A Utah lawmaker who's trying to loosen concealed carry handgun laws is setting up free weapons training classes for other state officials and their families.
Clearfield Representative Curtis Oda says the sessions are aimed at educating lawmakers and debunking gun-control advocates' criticism of gun laws.
The first two students were Governor Jon Huntsman and Lieutenant Governor Gary Herbert. Since then, 12 legislators and eight other elected officials have taken the free gun-handling classes, and Oda has another 25 legislators interested. The next class is scheduled for July.
Oda, a Republican, insists the classes are not an effort to push any particular piece of legislation.
But some gun-control advocates say providing the $75 class for free -- and sometimes a lunch paid for by the National Rifle Association -- amounts to unfair lobbying.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
