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For the time being, the University of Utah will continue to prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons on campus.
That’s good!
In fact, KSL hopes the weapons ban is ultimately upheld by the courts, even though a U.S. District judge recently ruled the University’s legal fight to preserve the 25-year-old policy belongs in state, rather than federal courts.
In his 40-page ruling, Judge Dale Kimball identified three reasons why major universities in the United States have firearms policies.
"The purposes of such policies," he wrote, "include:
(1) the preservation of academic freedom,
(2) the protection of students, faculty and staff from gun- related accidents, crime and suicides and
(3) the preservation of the educational process."
In KSL’s view, those are three good reasons. It is why most universities in America don’t allow guns on their campuses.
Of course, the simplest solution would be for lawmakers to acquiesce to the overwhelming will of their constituents and enact legislation to keep concealed weapons out of schools. That, however, in view of the entrenched influence of the Utah gun lobby, is wishful thinking.
A more likely scenario is an ongoing legal battle in state, and eventually, again in federal court. In view of what likely lies ahead, KSL commends the university for its stand and encourages them to stay the course.
