Previous Utah Gun News
(see most recent stories on our main page)

Anti gun people lying about the "Assault Weapons Ban" (9/17/04)
Great letter writer points out their misinformation, either deliberate lies or at best ignorance of the subject they argu so emotionally about.

U gun debate shifts focus to dorms (9/16/04)
Tribune version
University was challenged to produce evidence of gun misuse on campus, to back up their concerns. Academics argue that 18-21 year old students are too immature and troubled to be trusted with guns. Do they know that 18-21 year old "kids" are entrusted with guns to defend their freedom? Will they tell the parents of the three Utah Marines killed this month that their kids could not be entrusted with guns? Plain truth is that the University weenies just don't like guns, anywhere, anytime, in the possession of anyone. And, their love of "diversity" does not embrace law abiding gun owners.

Assault Weapon ban sunset will not be a problem (9/13/04)
The misguided and ill informed extremists who predicted that blood would run in the streets from shooouts over parking spots if concealed weapon permits were granted are making these hysterical predictions now about "evil assault weapons." They have been wrong for 10 years, but refuse to recognize it. No one has anything to fear from law abiding citizens with any type of gun, and criminals still get guns regardless of any gun laws ever passed.

Kerry illegally accepts gift of gun he wants to ban as an "assault weapon" (9/7/04)
This liar will do anything to get elected!
If the laws should not apply to him, then he needs to introduce a bill to repeal them for everyone!

Bad People problem, not bad guns (9/3/04)
Letter writer gets it right!

Will signs stop illegal guns? (9/2/04)
Letter to the editor asks: "I have one simple and sincere question for Ron and Norma Molen ("Let schools be gun-free"): Do you honestly believe a "gun-free school" law and sign in the parking lot or at the front door of Columbine High School stating "This is a gun-free school" would have stopped Eric Harris and Darren Klebold on April 20, 1999?"
[The Molens probably will not answer. Their son was tragically murdered in 1992 when another student was killed by her ex-boyfriend, who also shot Steven Molen, then killed himself. This was at Indiana University, which had a "no guns" policy.]

University of Utah ban illogical (9/1/04)
"Now, take the key points of The Chronicle's argument and the logical conclusion is obvious: The use of lethal force is necessary in rare circumstances on the U campus."

Free gun locks in Spanish Fork (8/31/04)
Contact the Spanish Fork Police Department. Gun locks can help prevent child injuries, but are not always appropriate or necessary. It is better to teach EVERY child basic gun safety information appropriate for their age. Note that the gun locs are provided by firearms industry funding, and that the "gun safety" or "gun violence prevention" groups never spend a dime for anything except trying to get more gun laws to restrict your gun rights.

University begs Utah Supreme Court to let it keep its illegal gun ban (8/31/04)
Whining lawyer for the U complains that the Legislature should not try to tell the U what it can or cannot do.
Far fetched and idiotic arguments (which may or may not be agreed to by the court) claim some divine right of academic freedom. SO far the U has wasted over $218,000 on this Quixotic tilt towards leftist political correctness. To the University it is ALL about guns. To the state, it is about the rule of law and the fact that the U must follow Utah law.

Let schools be gun free (8/30/04)
Letter to editor (from parents of a college student tragically killed by his date's former boyfriend) claim a "God given right to schools where all guns are forbidden." The sad irony is that their son's killer violated his schools prohibition of ALL guns, and this is typical of those who assume that gun bans will be obeyed by criminals and nut cases. THey are so blinded by their grief they cannot accept that they are only demanding "unarmed victim zones."

U of U defiantly prepares to defend gun ban in Utah Supreme Court (8/29/04)
New U president supports the ban.

U Gun Ban defended on basis of old territorial laws. (8/28/04)

BYU Campus Gun Ban info (8/28/04)
Exceptions included for "Campus police, students who have completed request form to store weapons at a BYU storage facility, ROTC units and the BYUSA shooting club."

Assault weapons ban was fraud to begin with (8/22/04)
The Deseret News printed this excellent piece by Jay Ambrose, director of editorial policy for Scripps Howard Newspapers. He points out that the "ban" was a clever trick to incrementally ban a group of guns based on their scary appearance and misinformation, and that any similar attempt to ban a group of knives would be laughable. His conclusion essentially confirms our view-
"It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!"

Lee Kay Shotgun Ranges reopen (8/19/04)
Half-priced shotgun shooting and free hot dogs and soft drinks will be available Aug. 28 at the grand opening of the newly renovated shotgun shooting facility at the Lee Kay Center for Hunter Education, 6000 W. 2100 South in Salt Lake City.
The renovated facility, known as the Great Salt Lake Gun Club, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays, with extended hours for league shooting. The club includes 16 traps and four skeet overlays, along with a 3,000-square-foot clubhouse facility that includes a renovated pro shop and snack bar. For more information, call 801-972-2258.

Former Utah Governemnt big wig in trouble for waving gun (8/19/04)
Perhaps he wrongly waved the gun and the road rage guys got scared, or perhaps he tried to keep it out of sight while being prepared in case their attacks reached the point where use of deadly force would be justified. After being a target in Iraq for four months it is easy to understand that he may be a bit nervous about potential threats. Lawyers and juries will sort it out.

Ladies trap shooting clinic a great success (8/8/04)
A big thanks to Wendy Mair and the Heber City Gun Club, along with the NRA, and the Utah Dept of Wildlife Resources and the "Becoming and Outdoors Woman" (BOW) program who worked together for this great event. And thanks also to the many sponsors who supported it, and also the the Provo Herald for a positive story on shooting sports.

Good analysis of the Univeristy of Utah Gun Ban policy )8/3/04)
Note that it continues for 4 pages. Andy Kirk of the Chronicle has done a pretty good job on this topic all along.

Letter blasts Deseret News Editorial Board's prejudice towards guns (8/1/04)
It appears it listens only to former Managing Editor LaVarr Webb and his paid lobbyists for local gun-control extremists. It is a conflict of interest and lapse in journalistic ethics to not disclose the source of your (mis)information on gun issues and indifference to opposing views. Polls showing anti-gun sentiment are not surprising, given the incessant propaganda in the media and the simplistic nature of poll questions. Fortunately the legislators "ignoring public opinion" actually read bills, listen to input from both sides and debate the issues.

Utah Congressional delegation united in opposition to "Assault Weapon Ban" extension (8/1/04)
However, watch Jim Matheson closely as he will be pressured by the Democrat party to vote their anti-gun policy.

PBS show blasts Utah gun laws (7/29/04)
One of the people interviewed reports that his comments were selectively edited, taken out of context and the transcript does not match the actual audio of the show. Remember this when "Big Bird" asks for your money on the next fund drive. PBS actively pushes a left wing agenda, incluidng anti-gun legislation. You can still decide, but don't depend on PBS for fair and balanced reporting.

Tribune's silly call for gun ban extension blasted (7/25/04)
Letter writer tries to straighten out the factually challenged editors.

Antique Gun rip off for $37,000 (7/25/04)
Some gun sellers are crooks, but so are some real estate brokers, stock advisors, car dealers, politicians and eductors. And others are really fine people.

Left Wing Extremist Mayor Rocky adds more ridiculous demands to his gun ban nonsense (7/23/04)
This former ACLU lawyer's wacky rants are an embarrassment to the city and the state. He is just pushing the standard extreme agenda of the radical left. His proposed restrictions on guns are a bad idea, and the Legislature is right to ignore him.

Armed women would be attacked less- great letter to editor (7/23/04)
Stabbings of two joggers and abductions spur concerns. If armed women plugged a few of the criminal scum, there would be fewer attacks. If reluctant to kill, just aim a bit lower....

SLC Mayor Rocky wants tougher gun laws (7/14/04)
What a crock! His prosecutors filed the least possible charges against the 14 year old thug who shot the guy in the park (6/7/04) and left the case in Juvenile court. Charges of "discharge of a firearm" instead of attempted murder and illegally carrying a concealed weapon and illegal possessin by minor is a joke, not justice.
If Rocky's number are accurate we should see two juveniles a week convicted of gun crimes, but there have only been a handful in the last year. If the present laws are not being used, why pass more?
"From July 1, 2003, to June 30, [2004,] 645 minors were either suspects, victims or witnesses in incidents in which a firearm was illegally used in Salt Lake City, according to the letter. Police arrested 102 juveniles for gun-related crimes."
Additionally Rocky's laws would shut down all the legitimate youth firearms programs (JROTC competition; Scout Camp riflery; hunter safety education, etc) which may be the real intent of the gun grabbing Mayor and his top cop.
It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!

Teen's "accidental" shooting death probably a murder (7/9/04)
Kid who skipped school and died while "playing" with a bunch of stolen guns was shot by someone else, not an accident, says father (himself a felon). Numerous laws were broken already in this situation, regardless of it being an accident or homicide, but the gun ban extremists will continue to use this death to demand more worthless gun control schemes.
SLC Mayor Anderson defends official conclusion of "accident". 7/9/04

Pistol shooting is good hobby (7/8/04)
Very positive story about the fun and athletic challenges of pistol shooting. Please thank the Deseret News reporter for his postitive coverage!

News they forgot to tell you-
Six killed at Con Agra Meat Plant in Kansas City- WHERE GUNS ARE BANNED! (7/3/04)
Click above to see the gun ban sign, the same type some people want to post at Utah schools and busineesses and churches. Do you feel safer knowing you would be in an "defenseless victim zone"?
Also, Kansas is one of only 4 states that do NOT allow anyone to legally carry a gun for self defense.
It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!

Doctors more deadly than Guns (7/1/04)
Letter points out doctors cause 80 times more deaths than guns, asks why the gun ban crowd does not care about doctor erros.

U's Chronicle gets great letter to editor (6/16/04)
Response to a frightened U grad living in Vermont who fears returning to campus because of legally dcarried self defense weapons. Points out that in her state of Vermont, any law abiding resident is free to carry a concealed weapon without any of the permits, training or background checks we do here. Author is head of the pro-gun "Pink Pistols" group.

Another Professor gets it wrong (6/13/04)
An ethics professor ignores facts they don't like. He cites only the 2nd Amendment and then twists its meaning. He selectively ignores the Utah Constitution's clear language: "The individual right of the people to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the State ..."
He argues it would be too hard for anyone other than highly trained law enforcement to stop a Columbine style killer. Permit holders are not a substitute for cops, are not Rambo wannabes, and may not be able to prevent every crime. However, they do have a chance to save THEIR OWN life. The Columbine teacher who lay dying for several hours was surely NOT thinking "I am so glad I did not have a gun to protect myself."
He is also factually incorrect about the origins of the Second Amendment, its intent, and the right to bear arms. He should stick to ethics and leave history to those better informed. (These sad distortions are what passes for education from kindergarten through college these days.)

Huntsman and Karras on guns (6/9/04)
Note: this appeared in the Deseret News on line edition only

As it stands now, citizens with concealed weapons permits may legally take their guns into public schools. Do you favor or oppose the current practice?
Huntsman- "I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. I am a gun owner and have taught my children to shoot. I support the rights of concealed-carry permit holders, especially the right to protect themselves against criminals. The Utah Constitution gives even more clarification than the United States Constitution on gun ownership rights. I strongly support the Utah Constitution's stand on gun ownership, and will defend it fervently. In practice, I oppose taking guns into schools. It just seems out of harmony with what is meant to occur within the walls of our educational facilities. However, banning law abiding, carefully licensed citizens from carrying their guns in schools will do nothing to prevent criminals from taking weapons into schools. Those with concealed weapons permits have passed muster with the state's requirements to maintain the privilege of carrying a concealed firearm. My concern is not with legally licensed, concealed carriers, but with those who illegally obtain, conceal, and use weapons."
Karras- "I support the law as it now stands."

As governor, would you support or oppose the University of Utah's current practice of controlling who can bring guns onto campus? What, if any, changes should be made to current state law relating to gun ownership and/or use?
Huntsman- "The University of Utah has the right to challenge the current law, but not the right to disobey the law while challenging it. The court's rulings should be abided by. The rule of law must be respected, irrespective of what individuals or institutions think the law should be."
Karras- "I believe in upholding the law. I support Utah's current gun law."

Gang teens shoot up downtown park (6/7/04)
17 and 14 year old gang members shoot another (former?) gang member in Liberty park, breaking about a dozen laws. However, look for the anti-gun extremists to demand that law abiding citizens be disarmed, and that guns be banned from city parks. Instead, this should be cited as proof that criminals do not obey laws, and that prudent law abiding citizens should get concealed weapon permits and carry guns for legal self defense.
"IT'S NOT THE GUNS, IT'S THE CRIMINALS, STUPID!"

Nutty Professor again claims academic freedom (5/30/04)
The guy who promised to quit if the University's obviusly illegal gun ban was overturned is still there. Here is his latest stretch trying to explain why the University of Utah is an independent fiefdom, free to disregard any laws passed by the state. Your tax dollars pay this guy, and he is teaching prospective lawyers, a double insult to citizens of this state.

School teacher arrested after threatening to shoot others in school (5/28/04)
Salt Lake Tribune version
Deseret News version
Note that the threat was specific, and according to one account, had been preceded by similar threats over several days before the Resource Officer heard about them. This makes you wonder how concerned some teachers are about guns in schools if they do not report an obviously disturbed co-worker talking about shooting people in the school.
Where is the outrage from the UEA, the PTA, the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, and the other anti-gun rights extremists?

Where Crooks get their guns (5/28/04)
Next time someone demands more restrictions on law abiding gun owners to "reduce crime" politely scream "NONSENSE!" and hand them this story from the Salt Lake Tribune.
Note that two career criminals burglarized a gun shop and stole 15 guns (without waiting for background checks or showing ID) and these guns then passed through five separate street gangs and eventually one was used to kill a cop, plus assorted other criminal acts along the way.
"It's not the guns, it's the CRIMINALS, stupid!"

Tribune editorial gets facts wrong again! (5/24/04)
Despite the fact that their reporter got it right in the story printed in the Tribune, the truth-challenged editors blamed the NRA for a statement made by a representative from another group and go on to blast the NRA for all sorts of things. When they are wrong on something as basic as that, how can you believe any of their assertions, or conclusions, on gun issues?
Maybe there should be accuracy tests for editors before they exercise First Amendment rights, or limits on assault presses that can spew hundreds of lies a minute.

Eliminate requirement for concealed weapon permits (5/20/04)
KNRS talk show host Bob Lonsberry's well reasoned column on why the law should be changed.

Legislature hearing on concealed weapon permit training refocuses debate: No longer "what additional training" but "should training requirement be elimintaed" (5/20/04)
Deseret News version
Tribune version
Studies of accidents or inappropriate behavior by permit holdes in other states shows no benefits result from a live fire requirement, or even a requirement to have any training a get a permit. Vermont and Alaska do not require law abiding citizens to jump through bureaucratic hoops or even have a permit to bear arms for legal self defense. Utah should follow their example.
Opponents use the same "too dangerous, blood will flow in streets" emotional arguments they tried when they opposed "shall issue" permit laws in 1995. Their fears were wrong then, and are wrong now.

U Law School Graduation continues defiance and deceptions (5/14/04)
"'... university faculty may be afraid to enter a classroom where they know students may legally be carrying concealed weapons.' That was part of the message delivered to 140 graduates Friday by David Pershing, U. senior vice president for academic affairs."
Baseless fears spread by those with an anti-gun rights agenda. With guidance like this to start them on legal careers, it is not surprising that lawers are a despised profession, mistrusted by nearly everyone.

Benson column blasting "U" receives overwhelming support (5/12/04)
Mass of letters confirm public is fed up with arrogant defiance by University of Utah elitists!

Gun banner cannot understand right to "bear arms" (5/11/04)
"Unlike free speech, carrying a concealed gun is not a Constitutional right. It is a privilege. If you want to carry a concealed weapon you have to ask for permission from the state of Utah and a permit is granted only to those who meet requirements specified by law. It's very easy to distinguish between a right and a privilege. You don't have to go down to the courthouse every five years to renew your free speech permit."

Perhaps thinking "bear" only means a furry critter that lives in the woods, the misinformed letter writer refuses to acknowledge "bear" is also a verb meaning to carry or transport. Both the U.S and Utah constitution use the term "keep and bear arms." Here is the Utah language:
Article I, Section 6. [Right to bear arms.] The individual right of the people to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the state, as well as for other lawful purposes shall not be infringed; but nothing herein shall prevent the Legislature from defining the lawful use of arms.
However, the letter writer is correct in pointing out that while the right to free speech does not need a pemrit renewed every five years, that is a requirement to carry legal self defense weapons. Perhaps we should look into that :free speech permit" or maybe the gun ban extremists would like to join in repealing the requirement for law abising citizens to carry a weapon?

Logan Judge Judkins a shooting champion (5/11/04)
Mounted shooting- hitting targets while racing on a horse. Congratulations!

Gunn opinions full of errors (5/11/04)
False assetion that legally carried weapons present a danger to others is blasted as "'Gunn violence' to the truth" in a great letter to the editor.

Mr. Gunn on Property rights vs gun rights (5/10/04)
Leader of anti gun extremists tries again to make case for Univeristy of Utah's illegal and illogical gun ban, and also to open the door to allow "posting" or total ban on legal self defense in businesses. Very sincere, but very wrong approach. Criminals will not obey their laws, making honest citizens defenseless victims.

Letter attacks Tribune's selective outrage over failure to obey laws (5/9/04)
GoUtah!'s Charles Hardy wrote a great letter attacking the Tribune's double standard complaining about failure of counties to turn over asset forefeiture proceeds, but supporting the University of Utah's defiant stand against legally carried self defense weapons.

More evidence gun laws do not stop criminals (5/8/04)
A convicted felon who previously served federal time for being a felon in possession of a gun shot his girlfriend this week in SLC. It was already illegal for him to have any gun, and he also violated the protective order his girlfriend had against him (but they had been living together anyway...). He also stole cars.
How will disarming law abiding citizens stop thugs like this? It should be obvious that criminals do not bother with background checks, gun bans,protective orders, laws against shooting people or anything else.

Nutty Professor defense of U is shot down (5/8/04)
Letter writer supports Benson assertions, not the emotional and uninformed Professor.
Another letter writer points out the obvious to the Nutty Prof. (5/10/04)

Second bear attack on Green River rafters in 10 months (5/7/04)
Legally carried self defense weapons can stop attacking four legged critters, as well as humans. As the Boy Scouts say- "Be prepared".

Another nutty Professor defends U with emotion, not facts (5/7/04)
Letter to editor attacks Lee Benson piece (below) trying to claim that the LDS church's exercise of their private property rights should also bring condemnation of church leaders a "band of lawbreakers." Apparently the Doc doesn't understand the difference between private property and PUBLIC property.

Defiant University of Utah blasted (5/5/04)
Deseret News writer Lee Benson tells it like it is. Hopefully the new President of the University of Utah will ensure compliance with the law, even if he has to fire the nutty professors and their friends.
Scott Matheson, Jr. is the head of the University of Utah Law School which has been supporting this defiance. Matheson is the Democrat candidate for Governor, so maybe he will tell us all the other laws that citizens need not obey.

Utahns get gun related patent (5/5/04)
Okay, maybe not as revolutionary as John M. Bronwing's inventions, but Utahns are still coming up with gun ideas. John & Daniel Tilby got their patent 5/4/04 for a gun shoulder strap.

Teen dies in accidental shoting in Price (5/2/04)
Proper safety training and familiarity with guns could prevent tragedies like this.

13 Children die every year in Utah drownings (4/30/04)
Second only to automobiles in accidental deaths.
When will the Utahns Against Bathtubs and Swimming Pools demand the Legislature take action on these tragedies? Those who are obsessed with gun control schemes claim it is to "protect the children" but the facts show they are merely bent on banning guns.

Stupid letter questions right to bear arms" on campus (4/30/04)
Claims they cannot find anything like that in the Constitution. Apparently the think the right to keep and bear arms has something to do with wearing sleeveless dresses.

Gutsy University Student tells U to "Stuff It!" (4/27/04
"This letter is directed to the U administration. Be advised that you can no longer enforce your anti-gun agenda.... This campus and its staff have to follow the law....In closing, I plan to carry when I want, where I want. I have the Bill of Rights, The Utah Constitution and Utah law backing me up. So take your best shot! (No pun intended.)"
JC is a brave man!

Free Gun Locks available at UHP Highway Patrol offices (4/27/04)
Free gun locks now available at Highway Patrol offices The Utah Highway Patrol is still offering free gun locks, but no longer at Wal-Mart stores. Troopers handed out the safety equipment Saturday morning at Wal-Marts throughout the valley. Residents still looking for the locks can now find them at any Highway Patrol office in the state.

Tribune supports continued University defiance (4/26/04)
Maybe they would think differently if it was a University ban on newspaper distribution, allegedly to stop pornography--- "But, the newspapers are not full of pornography.....!"
Well, fact challenged editors- PERMIT HOLDERS ARE NOT THE CAUSE OF VIOLENCE! WOrse, the creeps that are the sources of violenc will not obey the University's silly gun ban. They may just as effectively post a policy "Please be nice to others. Violators will be frowned at."

Crooks asked to return stolen FBI rifle (4/26/04)
FBI offering a reward for return of rifle, gear The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of a missing rifle and tactical gear taken from an Idaho agent's unmarked car last week. Missing is a Remington .308-caliber rifle with a scope and a black custom stock and a black carrying case, FBI spokesman Bill Wright said. Also taken was a bullet-proof vest, a jumpsuit and a protective helmet. All are black and marked with white "FBI" lettering, although the items are similar to commercially available merchandise, Wright said. The gear was taken April 20 after someone broke the windows of an agent's sport utility vehicle, which was parked overnight at the Country Inn & Suites in South Jordan. The incident is being investigated jointly by the FBI and South Jordan police. All the equipment can be identified by serial numbers that have been entered into the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) database. Anyone with information about the rifle and other equipment can contact the FBI at (801) 579-1400.
[We bet they don't have any better luck than they do recovering citizens' stolen guns!]

Utah Highway Patrol giving away gun locks (4/24/04)
The Utah Highway Patrol received 25,000 gun locks and will give them away to the public starting today. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. the gun locks will be available at all Wal-Mart stores in Utah except at the "neighborhood market" grocery stores in Draper, South Jordan, Layton and South Ogden. Troopers will give out 1,000 to 1,200 gun locks Saturday. The locks were given to the UHP by Project ChildSafe, an organization funded by Congress and private donors [National Shooting Sports Federation] that aims to make homes with firearms safer. Those who cannot go to a Wal-Mart on Saturday can pick up a gun lock at a store during normal business hours after Monday."
(Note that the anti-gun types who claim to be concerned about protecting Children are NOT involved in this in any way! As usual.)

University and Jake Garn set lousy example (4/24/04)
Letter is absolutely correct!

Pistol Marksmanship Club busy at University of Utah (4/23/04)
Students with pistols present no threat to University safey as they win All-American athletic recognition. However, tru to U's anti-gun agenda, they do not get a dime to fund their program, which probably costs less than they spend for footballs for the foolball team.

Obeying law might make crime ridden U of U safer (4/23/04)
Letter writer points out that which U refuses to see.

Criminals get sniper rifle from FBI- no background check! (4/21/04)
Lots of guns are stolen from law enforcement vehicles, because criminals do not waste time filling out paperwork and waiting for background checks. Close the "cop car loophole!"

Anti-Gun group loses challenge to Initiave laws (4/21/04)
Deceptively named "Safe Havens for Learning" bunch shot down by Utah Supreme Court.

Arrogant U of U Trustees continue to defy Utah Law on legal self defense (4/20/04)
Academics ignore facts and cling to fantasy that disarming victims will make criminals be nice, when in fact "unarmed victim zones" only lure the evil and crazy who want to victimize others, at least risk to themselves. University elitists claim some imaginary "right of academic freedom" is superior to clear laws of the state and the Second Amendment. These clowns are wasting hundreds of thousands of YOUR tax dollars fighting in courts, instead of educating students.

NRA to add "News Media" arm to avoid "Campaign Finance" restrictions (4/16/04)
Yes, this is ridiculous, but essential to educate voters on political issues, despite the patently unconstitutional limits on political free speech imposed by stupid congressmen and signed by a President unwilling to do the right thing on that issue.

TRUE STORIES OF BEAR ATTACKS (Book review) (4/16/04)
SUrely full of good tips, but the best is to carry a gun, a BIG gun when hiking. However, you must remember that carrying a gun is illegal in National Parks, so your odds of surviving a bear attack are not real good. The law should be changed to allow permit holder to carry in National Parks.

Barnes Bullets may relocate to Payson (4/14/04)
Want to expand prodcution from 100 million bullets to 300 million bullets a year

More than 200 participate in Bonnevill Gun Club Trap Tournament (4/5/04)
Amazingly, this was not headlined as "Hundreds of gunmen on shooting spree- no one injured or killed."
Shooting sports
are safe and fun
There's no cause
to fear a gun

More free gun locks being passed out (4/4/04)
Law Enforcement agencies throughout Southern Utah are participating in Project Childsafe by distributing700 firearm safety kits to anyone who owns a gun. Sheriff Mark Gower said. "If people can't get to the Sheriff's Office, as time permits, we'll deliver them." The locks were funded by a Department of Justice grant and the firearm industry.

University of Utah Still fighting to restrict legally carried self defense weapons (3/31/04)
Deseret News version
Chronicle version

Tribune attacks hunters use of OHVs (3/31/04)
Thinly veiled contempt for both hunting and OHVs, reflective of the Tribune's alliance with the environmental extremists.

Youth injured shooting at "clay pits" (3/29/04)
"A small-caliber handgun went off while someone was reloading it, Shiverdecker said. The boy was hit in the leg and received minor wounds." Failure to follow basic gun handling safety rules can result in serious injury or death. KEEP ALL GUNS POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION!

U of U student smarter than faculty or Newspaper (3/29/04)
"I am just wondering-hypothetically of course-would there be one less sexual predator on the loose had one of the two ladies [assaulted on campus] been carrying a legal firearm?" according to letter writer who is also fed up with the U pushing a "diversity" agenda that no one cares about.

Letter writer all wet (3/28/04)
First- Dr. John Lott's studies have not been "discredited" since critics using their best spin can only show that crime might not have decreased as much as Lott contends, not that there was any increase in crime after passage of "shall issue" permit laws. The writer has decided that they do NOT want to carry any means of legal self defense, which is their right, but they should not expect everyone else to be unarmed victims.

Hunters paying big bucks for big bucks (3/26/04)
DWR expects about $1.4 million this year from hunters, including $79,00 for a special deer tag auctioned off. ANd, the "animal rights" wackos like PETA have contributed $0 to wildlife projects.

Free gun locks available in South Jordan (3/25/04)
A total of 133,000 locks are expected to be passed out in Utah this month, part of the Project HomeSafe program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

GoUtah! Leader speaks to pro-gun USU Students (3/21/04)
Small groups are the start of larger groups, and a sign that the anti-gun mood on campus is changing.

USU Student Views on Gun Laws (3/5/04)
Note the great comments from the head of their Students for the Second Amendment. Also, the nonsense from the USU counsel "...people are misconstruing this issue to be about guns when it is really about educational freedom."

Free cable gun locks offered through Sunday 3/14/04
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, Utah's law enforcement community and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will distribute 133,000 free gun locks throughout the state through Sunday as part of the national Project ChildSafe initiative. The cable gun locks will be available at the International Sportsmen's Expo at the South Towne Exhibition Center, 9575 S. State, Sandy.

Salt Lake Court workers fearful about security (3/12/04)
Tell it to the judges. They ban legal self defense weapons for law abiding citizens, and refused to obey the law requiring them to provide lockers so that citizens are not defenseless going to/from the court houses.

Drivers license for illegal aliens facilitates illegal gun purchases (3/11/04)

Ballistic fingerprints bogus (3/10/04)
"Ballistic fingerprinting might work in a science-fiction story, but in real life, it doesn't." and then letter writer provides further proof.

Anti-Gun editorial refuted (again) (3/10/04)

Letter critiques silly editorial (3/3/04)
"Once again this newspaper's editorial staff has climbed up on its rickety anti-gun soap box to make its weak case why SB48 should be vetoed. And weak it is. Of the "many" reasons why guns should be banned on campus, the only meaningful one mentioned is the eclectic campus atmosphere that requires freedom from intimidation, as though there exist other atmospheres that should be intimidated. And the editorial rightly acknowledges that a ban on weapons would not prevent a gun crime. So what gives?"

Bad ideas, bad policy, bad bills do not get passed, but Tribune sees that as bullying the hack politicians who year after year try the same old worthless bills. (2/29/04)
Gun control is a failed concept that does not work. The intelligent legislators who reject such schemes (including some Democrats, in case the Tribune bothered to check voting records) are are not bullies, just smarter and better informed than the gun ban enthusiasts.

Shotgun wedding announcement prompts gunfire (2/28/04)
Soon to be grandfather fires 3 rounds at punk who impregnated his 14 year old daughter.

Self-defense is real (letter) (2/28/04)
"...thousands of people... use firearms for self-defense every year. The cases are well documented, [but] ... newspapers, like the rest of the media elite, are self-admittedly liberal and don't want these defense cases to be publicized."

Firearms deter crime- Great letter to editor (2/28/04)
""Notice to rapists, muggers, kidnappers, psychopaths, etc.: For your convenience and safety, students, faculty, staff and visitors on this campus are not allowed to carry firearms to defend themselves." Incred"ibly, this is the banner some educators and newspaper columnists would unwittingly hang on our schools and universities."

House reaffirms U must obey gun laws (2/27/04)
59-14 veto proof vote shows commitment to legal self defense rights

Gun shop burglar gets 8 years at Club Fed (2/25/04)
It is a serious federal offense to steal guns from a FFL dealer! This is the guy who stole the gun used to kill a cop (see 2/22/04 story). However, West Valley City only went for a slap on the wrist for the thugs who did an armed robbery at a local pawn shop to steal guns. Why the double standard?

University student supports legal self defense weapons (2/24/04)
"Do all those who are freaking out about guns on campus live in fear at the mall or even at the Salt Lake City Public Library, where guns are allowed?"
This student is smarter than the University of Utah President, his staff, and the whole Law School combine!

Numerous rebuttals to 2/12/04 KSL anti Gun Editorial (2/23/04)
Nick Pond- Tooele
Sheldon Anderson- WVC
John Wangsgaard- Logan
Brian Kamerath- Taylorsville

Hunter shoots self in leg- 3 times (2/24/04)
Yup, ignore safety rules long enough and do dumb stuff and bad things will happen. Fortunately no one else was hurt.. (Of course, hundreds of people have been injured in vehicle accidents since the last hunting accident injured anyone.)

Don't accidentally bring gun to airport- Zero Tolerence (2/24/04
90 days and $1850 fine, and probably loss of CCW permit as well!

Tribune - now seeking restrictions on CCW in businesses (2/23/04)
The Tribune's gun control zeal is based on false assumptions, summarized as "people [legally] carrying guns increase risks to everyone." Since the Tribune's basic assumptions about the risks of legally carried guns are totally false, why are any of their recommendations believable?

History of a gun used to kill a cop (2/22/04)
One of 15 guns stolen in a burglary in Roosevelt, Utah in December 2001. Ten have been seized from criminals, but five remain on the street. Two career criminals stole them, and the guns later changed hands many times among various drug dealers and thugs before an evil high school student used it in armed robberies and the cop killing, and then killed himself.
This is a good example of how gun control schemes will never disarm the criminals. Every one of the thugs who had this gun were already prohibited from buying or having guns (and selling drugs, doing holdups or killing people). They will never bother waiting for "background checks" or waiting periods, or gun a month limits, safe storage, registration, or ballistic fingerprinting. They can use fake (or stolen) ID to purchase a gun without getting caught, or have a friend get one for them, if they don't want to go to the trouble of stealing guns. They carry loaded concealed guns anywhere they like, including schools, and don't bother with permits (which they would not qualify for anyway). They do carjackings, drive by shootings, and home invasions becuase they are criminals, and ignore all laws, and because they are seldom punished severely.
Honest gun owners are fed up with being blamed for the evil deeds of these thugs. Further, honest citizens demand the right to have effective tools to defend themselves against these thugs.
It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!

Ignorance about self defense use of guns (2/22/04)
Letter writer with his head [in the sand] asserts the "collective interpretation" lie ("militia" not an individual right) than charges "Since the right-to-carry bill was passed in Utah, not a single incident of a concealed weapon holder in Utah using a weapon to protect himself or herself has been reported in the media."
Over 90% of the time, merely discovering that a victim is armed will cause an attacker to flee, so that is never reproted in the news. Nor is it public information if a person has a permit or not, so many of the cases of "armed citizens" defending themselves may be permit holders. Here are 23 cases of armed citizens preventing or stopping crimes, that have appeared in the media that the letter writer overlooked, or chooses to ignore: (Note there are probably many more, but we did not keep track of these until 2001.)
Utah- Self Defense with Guns 
Click here for recent examples

Tribune "news?"story full of errors, bias, advocacy (2/20/04)
Reprehensible lack of effort to get the facts right. We tolerate "free press" opinion garbage on their editorial page, but this story is utter nonsense presented as fact.

Legislators brag about shooting skills (2/20/04)
Please invite some of these folks to your next shooting activity!

Tribune editorial ignores facts, hypes same old tired lies again (2/19/04)
"...the state's wide-open concealed-carry law, which since 1995 has allowed virtually anyone without a criminal record to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon almost anywhere.... This flies in the face of common sense, which tells us that allowing tens of thousands of people to pack loaded firearms around increases the risk of accidents or misuse, and that this risk is not offset by the slim chance that some common citizen with a concealed-carry permit will be able to protect himself..."
Is it too much to expect that the editors pay attention to the"TRUTH" instad of "common sense" after nearly 10 years experience? Permit holders are not a threat to anyone but criminals.
At what point does "editorial opinion" become a pack of lies pushing an agenda?

State Senator rebukes Don Gale Op-Ed of 2/7/04 (2/18/04)
"Let's focus on gun facts--Can we talk, Mr. Gale? I certainly hope so. It is very apparent to me that you need to be educated on firearms and the right to carry them. We as legislators create good, safe and responsible gun laws for our citizens. Thankfully, we have a body of people in our government who research facts before making laws rather than relying on emotions or popular opinions.
You, most of all, Mr. Gale, should understand the importance of facts in making decisions concerning our laws. I would rather have a "fanatic" legislator make my laws because he studies the issues instead of a person who has nothing more than an opinion.
Scott K. Jenkins Utah state senator 20th District, Weber County, Plain City"
Thank you for setting the record straight, Senator Jenkins!

Bill on University gun ban hijacked by private property amendment (2/17/04)
More on this (2/17/04)

Ban teeth before more people are hurt by these dangerous concealed weapons! (2/15/04)
"An East Carbon woman was arrested early Saturday after she bit off the tip of another woman's finger during a fight outside a Price bar..."

Cars kill more than guns(letter to editor) (2/15/04)
"Almost every day in the newspaper I read more of the seemingly endless debate over Utah's gun laws. And almost every day as I'm commuting to work I see countless examples of aggressive, illegal and dangerous driving. Since Utah passed its concealed weapons law in 1995, about 3,000 people have been killed on our roads in automobile accidents. How many have died in incidents involving legally concealed weapons? I can't think of any. If our society took a fraction of the energy we spend arguing over gun policies and applied it toward improving our driving habits, we might actually save some lives." [Actually, we know of at least one case- where a permit holder legally defending his residence killed a violent intruder]

Letter to editor criticizes stupid Op-ed by Don Gale (2/15/04)
"...Don Gale effectively disqualifies himself through his appalling lack of knowledge on the role of the firearm in personal defense. Fanatics, not rational debaters, are the ones who tend to take a blind swat at something they obviously know nothing about."

It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid! (2/15/04)
While the news media is off attacking law abiding permit holders, here is an example of the real threat in our community:
"3 men arrested after a traffic stop
SPRINGVILLE - A traffic stop led to the arrest of three men after police found drugs and illegal weapons over the weekend. Lt. Mike Forshee, of the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force, said police stopped a car Friday near 1400 N. State. The two men had illegal weapons and methamphetamine with them, police said. Using information from that traffic stop, police then served a search warrant at a Provo house Saturday where they discovered another 1 1/2 ounces of methamphetamine, a sawed-off shotgun, AK-47 and a stolen laptop computer, Forshee said. Police also arrested a third man for an outstanding warrant."

Tribune wants to eliminate CCW permits through fees and arbitrary live fire requirements (2/15/04)
Anything to add restrictions and fees which can later be raised to a level calculated to eliminate vast numbers of permit holders. (Anyone been paying attention to what New York has done to pistol permit fees?) When merely discovering a victim is armed is sufficient to scare an attacker away in over 90% of cases, a life fire requirement is absurd, and most defensive use of guns occur at ranges of less than 5 yards. Just part of the ongoing Brady Bunch scheme to erect barriers, hurdles, excuses, fear, loathing, and lies to justify eventual registration and confiscation of all your guns- for self defense, hunting, competitive shooting, or just collecting.

Tribune blasted again for support of University gun ban (2/14/04)
Great letter to editor

Slippery Slope of gun bans pointed out (2/13/04)
Good letter points out if banned in schools, where next until guns are banned entirely. It ALWAYS works that way, and USSC intends to see that it does not happen in Utah!

Davis County man wins appeal on gun possessin charge (2/13/04)
Owned guns while subject to a protective order, has now spent nearly a year in jail, and has federal charges pending. Feds are appealing judge's ruling that search was illegal due to failure to give Miranda warning.

Tribune editorial blasted (2/13/04)
"Your "Loaded gun bill" diatribe ... against legal self-defense was an example of arrogance toward law-abiding Utahns you tried to trivialize or demonize as some sort of hick rednecks."

Tribune columnist approves of joking about holdups in convenience stores (2/12/04)
For her own strange reasons the columnist criticizes a permit holder who announced he was armed after third party told clerk "Hand over your money, lady." Turns out it was the clerk's son, not a real robbery. Permit holder showed sound judgement in this situation which could have required use of deadly force to protect his life if this had been a real holdup. Dozens of clerks are killed every year in convenience store holdups. Instead of whining to a anti-gun columnist, the clerk would have been eternally grateful if the permit holder had been there during a real holdup. The mom and her 24 year old son need to rethink their idea of joking around, before they get in real trouble talking about bombs at the airport or hollering "fire" in a theater. The columnist needs to understand the seriousness of the threat and appropriateness of the response. Underlying motivation is to attack the basic concept of legal self defense. Maybe they rather have a dead clerk than a scared or shot thug.

Tribune "hick redneck" editorial rebuked (2/12/04)
"Clearly, your ideological biases are blinding you to your own hypocrisy" as they use racist stereotyping tactics they would comdemn if others tried them.

Attorney/prosecutor rebukes ignorant op-ed writer (2/12/04)
Another letter suports this great one! (2/15/04)
"[In] 16 years as a criminal defense attorney and a special prosecutor... I met and spoke with more criminals during a week than Mr. Gale [2/7/04 op ed below] has encountered during his entire life. With my experience, if I ever meet a criminal while he is pursuing his vocation, I want a gun in my hand. Nothing else will ensure my safety as effectively."

Rabid anti-gun KSL editorial by Duane Cardall (2/12/04)
"...it is time to do what’s best for all Utahns, not merely what will satisfy the narrow-mindedness of a few concealed carry fanatics. [Ban legally carried self defense guns on campus]"

More Proof Schools not safe- Bomb in Junior High (2/12/04)
Yes, there are laws against having bombs in schools, but bad people ignore laws, only the law abiding permit holders will obey any gun bans, leaving themselves and everyone else as tempting, umarmed victim zones. Even Al Quida terrorists practice assaults in school type settings.

Weber State starts "Students for Second Amendment" group (2/11/04)
Students undoubtedly smarter than many Professors!

Utahns buy 177 guns every day; CCW permit numbers up (2/10/04)
An armed society is a polite society.

UofU paper supports illegal gun ban (2/10/04)
"The U is a place of academic freedom. By prohibiting guns on campus, it sends a message ,,, [that] -we foster a safe environment of learning and promote the right of all individuals on campus to express themselves freely and openly without having to fear for their lives." More nonsense ignoring years of data that disprove all their idealistic dreams.

Ignorant Op-Ed by Don Gale castigates gun owners (2/7/04)
After decades of "sky is fallling" nonsense about guns causing crime, and the dire consequences of legally carried self defense weapons, it is about time writers like this pulled their heads out (of the sand) and accepted the hard and inescapable fact that their predictions have been proven wrong.
"It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid"

Tribune editorial implies permit holders are redneck hicks (2/5/04)
Using tactics they would condemn if used to attack any other group, this arrogant diatribe shows their loathing for those who merely seek to be prepared to defend themselves with legally carried weapons. A sorry example of using protections of the First Amendment to attack the rights protected by the Second Amendment. Why would any gun owner subsidize these attacks on gun rights by subscribinig to this paper?

AOL gun ban appealed to UT Supreme Court (2/3/04)
Deseret News version ----- Tribune version
Kudos to Attorney Mitch Vilos for his hard work on this case.

Universities to be held to state law on legal self defense (1/30/04)
Tribune version -------Deseret News version
SB 48 to make it perfectly clear to Academics and Judges that Universities are part of the state, and cannot decide to ignore state laws on some imaginary "academic freedom" rights that have no legal basis. (Amazing that they think that exists, but ignore the Second Amendment and Article 6 of the State Constitution.) This bill needs to pass with overwhelming support.

Senator Hatch agrees:(1/29/04)
"It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid"
(Okay, he used a lot more diplomatic words, but that is clearly what he means!)

Media emphasises gun issues, minimizes good (04 Jan 28)
Good letter points out front page placment of story on LDS church ban, but probably burying inthe back if they had decided against it.

LDS Church to ban legal self defense guns in their buildings (Tribune 1/24/04)
Deseret News version 1/24/04
Text of offical church letter
This is totally within the spirit and letter of the law allowing churches to do so, and the LDS Church will take appropriate steps to ensure that their desires are known to permit holders by posting this information on the BCI website. USSC hopes that criminals who illegally carry guns will not take advantage of this policy to target defenseless victims. This is no different than the Church's right to exclude people without the required "temple recommends" from their temples.

Gun stolen from cop's home (1/23/04)
Crooks don't bother with background checks or waiting periods, and cops don't bother to lock up their guns (and should not have to).

Felon caught with illegal gun (2 days after release from prison) gets 3 years
It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!

Brady Bunch report card bogus BS
Letter writer rightly criticizes Deseret News. (Bet the Trib got the same letter and will not print it?)
"Their "grades" are simply part of an ongoing propaganda campaign dedicated to eliminating all private gun ownership. I don't think the Deseret Morning News would treat a similar press release by the National Rifle Association the same way."

Gun theft ring broken up
Stealing guns from businesses without waiting for background checks, and then selling them on the streets to thugs? There should be a law to stop such criminal acts. What? There are laws but crooks do not obey them? Maybe we should make businesses lock up their stores better. Maybe limiting banks to giving out no more than $10 in cash would stop bank robberies too.
It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!

Brady Bunch gives Utah D- grade for gun laws
Cause for shame according to them, or celebration of respect for rights? Only the most lazy newspapers would bother to print what is essentially a reworded press release from an extremist advocacy group pushing for total gun bans under the guise of incremental "gun safety" restrictions. Sadly, both the News and Tribune wasted ink on their nonsense.

Hoplophobic ignorance (04 Jan 6)
Letter to editor based on irrational fear " I, for one, am very uncomfortable to see an unknown person carrying a gun — no matter where." Stupid writer does not understand that legally CONCEALED self defense weapons are never seen! Like so many anti-gun people, this person is totally ignorant of the facts, and reacts only to emotional fear of guns. I wonder if they faint at the sight of a police officer?

Editorial on guns was illogical (04 Jan 5)
Letter from Charles Hardy of GoUtah! tells off the Deseret News; including-
"Your bias against the (federal and state) constitutionally protected principle of individual self-defense has reached new and irrational heights with this latest editorial. You're clearly using the emotionalism and misunderstandings surrounding this issue to further an agenda that is hostile to the very idea of effective self-defense."

Editorial fear of legal guns in churches has no factual basis
Letter writer urges public to ignore their deceptive rhetoric..(04 Jan 5)

NRA Youth instructor criticizes dangerous gun handling in "entertainment" (04 Jan 5)
Stands up to attack on NRA- "Before blaming one of the organizations that promote safety and responsibility, perhaps you should look to what games your kids are playing to see who is really at fault for accidents and gun misuse."

Deseret News' "Anti-gun stance offends" (04 Jan 4)
Letter- "While you claim that those opposed to your position are "nuts," beware that your ivory tower increasingly looks like an insane asylum."

Deseret News' "Gun editorial stupid" (04 Jan 4)
Letter- "Gun-toters, leave the building" (Dec. 27) is by far the most stupid editorial I have ever read."

Federal prosecutions up in gun crimes in Utah. (04 Jan 4)
"Operation Safe Neighborhoods"-
"The majority of [the 400] indictments in 2003 involved a felon in possession of a firearm. The next most common violation was a drug user in possession of a firearm. Other common crimes include using a firearm in a violent crime, lying on federal forms to buy a gun and being an undocumented immigrant in possession of a gun. Sarnacki says sending gun criminals to federal instead of state prison has saved Utah $4.5 million in the past four years in housing costs alone."

Tribune recycles anti-gun propaganda from other papers, but fails to print pro-gun op-ed after agreeing to do so! (04 Jan 4)
"Don't confuse us with the facts, our mind is made up!" should be the Tribune motto. After agreeing to print a pro-gun rights op-ed by USSC Board member Bill Scott in today's edition, they failed to do so, but found room to print extremist anti-gun editorials from the Washington Post and LA Times. Why believe any of what this paper chooses to print?

Anti-gun stance irrational (03 Dec 30)
Attorney "Mitch" Vilos blasts Deseret News editorial which favors church disobedience on gun ban procedure.

Deseret News support for church gun ban blasted.(03 Dec 30)
"The constant, bitter and belittling denunciation of permitted firearms in churches and schools has become wearisome and makes it appear the paper has lost its objectivity."

"Hoplophobe" term new to Deseret news (03 Dec 30)
(They seem to express a lot of hoplophobic views on their editorial page lately.)

Church Debate Misrepresented (03 Dec 27)
Letter points out "? The reality of the situation isn't that people are taking their legally concealed weapons to church because of a problem at church they believe needs to be fixed by killing someone; men and women carry their firearms with them into church because they are more concerned about their safety in their travel to church and want to be responsible about knowing exactly where that firearm is while they attend church."
(Similar version appeared in Salt Lake Tribune 03 Dec 27)

Clergy on slippery slope Inviting Govt. Intervention (03 Dec 25)
Letter writer raises important issue. (Should the State should ban alcohol in Churches too?)

Idaho experience confirms no problems with permit holders guns in churches (03 Dec 24)
Letter also points out that Idaho law does NOT prohibit legal self defense weapons in churches, contrary to misinformation from local anti-gun rights group.

Tribune Editorial pushes Gun Ban agenda (03 Dec 24)
Carefully coordinated with the gun ban extremists and their lobbyists, this propaganda piece aims to scare the uninformed into thinking that "unarmed victim zones" will ensure that evil doers will stay away from schools and churches. Anyone who subscribes to the Tribune provides finincial support to help spread their anti-gun views.

Tribune corrects their error about when churches have to report to BCI. (03 Dec 23)
(AFTER they provide tons of free publicity to anti-gun groups based on bad info!)
"* Under Utah law, church leaders who want to ban legally concealed weapons from their houses of worship must register with the state Bureau of Criminal Identification only if they notify the congregation of the ban from the pulpit, in a newsletter or via a general-circulation newspaper. State registration is unnecessary if clergy post a "no guns" sign on the church building. Two weekend stories incorrectly reported otherwise."

Guns in churches and schools: A triumph of emotion over sense (03 Dec 21)
Propaganda tirade from leader of local anti-gun extremist group full of factual errors and distortions. Sadly, many gullible people may fall for their nonsense. Part of their campaign to pass a ballot initiative that is deceptively named with many hidden schemes that only make things safer for criminals.

Accidental Shooting death brings probation 03 Dec 17
(Highland youth shooting at pile of bricks in yard had ricochet that killed neighbor in May.)

Guns are individual right (03 Dec 10)
Letter points out that guns protected individuals, not the militia.

Perp steals cop's gun- Cop shoots innocent car (03 Dec 9)
Most criminals get their guns from illegal sources, including stealilng them from cops!
Fortunately this crook was captured peacefully several hours later, but during the initial chase, the cop fired at him several times, one shot hitting a car with kids in it, but not injuring anyone.

Don't let guns in schools
"I am a Boy Scout, and I'm writing to say that letting guns into the schools of Utah is just dumb. If guns are allowed at school, gang members will have a bloodbath in our school halls. I'm a Republican and firm believer in the right to carry guns, but I think there are times and places to carry them. I love to hunt, but I don't carry around a 30-06 for defense."
This young citizen has been brainwashed into thinking that allowing carefully screened citizens (minimum age 21) carrying a gun ONLY for legal self defense would somehow mean that gang mambers could bring their illegal guns to schools with no permits. Proponents of the ballot initiative trying to adopt the same failed security that was in place at Columbine hope that they can fool everyone into buying the same lies as this young man swallowed. Let us REPEAT- It is already illegal for anyone but permit holders and cops to carry ANY concealed weapons ANYWHERE, and banning legally carried self defense guns will not keep criminals from illegally carrying guns.

Cop shoots Tribune editorial full of holes (03 Dec 7)
"...your editorial is a showcase example of the degeneration of politics in the United States. It is full of vilification of the opposing view, sewn with innuendo, long on raging emotion and quite short on facts. The editorial starts out drawing a link between burglars, thieves and concealed-weapons permit holders. As I have a carry permit and I am also a peace officer, I do not appreciate being lumped into such company. You describe Utah's gun laws as "shoot-first-and-ask-questions-later" which is simply false. Justified use of force in defending oneself or others is defined in law and limited to circumstances in which misjudgment can lead to imprisonment. Carry permit holders in Utah have to know this law."

Gun issue is comical (03 Dec 6)
Satirical letter points out absurdity of Lavarr Webb propaganda

Pistol found inside Utah Prison (03 Dec 6)
Just further proof that gun control laws only disarm honest citizens and that criminals (even in prison) can still get guns! If you cannot keep guns out of prisons, only an idiot would think banning guns in schools will keep gunsout of schools.

Take on a gun-law case soon (03 Dec 3)
Deseret News hopes for Supreme Court to rule on "individual right to bear arms".

Don't disarm citizens (03 Dec 3)
Letter writer hits bullseye: "Criminals will give no regard to laws or policies that purport to establish so-called gun-free school zones. Such laws or policies only serve to disarm the law-abiding, shifting the advantage to the criminals."

Neglect causes accidents (03 Dec 2)
Negligent parents, not the gun caused the tragic accident where the 4 year old shot his 3 year old brother (03 Nov 19) points out a trained accident investigator in letter to editor.
"The presence of a firearm is irrelevant. The children could have set fire to the house or have been involved in any number of dangerous activities while unattended. If they had run out in the street and been hit by a car, would we be calling for more traffic laws? The idea is, of course, absurd. Therefore, using this tragic accident to justify more restrictive firearms laws is, in my opinion, dishonest journalism."

Tribune Editorial rant in favor of banning LEGAL guns in shcurches (03 Dec 2)
Full or factual errors and propaganda (as usual) but even these hoplophobic scribblers admit: "It is possible that some churches ... have declined to be listed because it would identify them as a defenseless target for passing snipers and homicidal maniacs."
Anyone who sends money to the Tribune to subscribe to their fish wrapper is providing aid and comfort to the enemies of freedom.

'Gun-free' stance is naive (03 Nov 20)
Letter writer points out the undeniable truth- "...criminals don't obey laws or that stopping law-abiding, licensed adults from carrying their concealed firearms anywhere only makes it easier for the bad guys to find unarmed victims"

Untold revolution in U.S. (03 Nov 20)
Huge increases in numbers of people with concealed weapons permits, but declining crime- a story the news media ignores---revealed by letter to editor

4 year old shoots 3 year old after getting gun from locked storage (03 Nov 19)
Deseret News Version
Tribune version

Gun Ban lobby calls for more laws which will be ignored by stupid parents and are unenforceable.(03 Nov 19)

Reminder- Firearms prohibited at airports
Zero Tolerence of guns at airport secure area (3 Nov 17)
22 guns and other weapons seized at SLC airport in last 6 months. Latest was a STOLEN .357 in a carry on bag.

Pervert targeting 13 year old girl arrested at school with gun
Maybe there should be a lw against thugs taking guns to schools--oh, there already is, but they ignore it. Tell us again why we should ban LEGAL self defense weapons in schools.

Stupid gun trick wounds teen girl (03 Nov 18)
Loaded gun taken from gun cabinet pointd at girl in joke. Many safe gun handling practices ignored.

Allowing guns in Utah schools is nutty- (One man's erroneous opinion) 03 Nov 16
A thinkly disguised propaganda piece promoting the deceptively named "Safe Havens for Learning" ballot initiative, written by a former Leavitt advisor who is now a political consutant. Why does he wnat victims to be defenseless?

Gun Stolen from West Jordan Law Enforcement (03 Nov 15)
Career crook skips background check and steals prosecutor's car and gun. Gotta "close the car theft loophole?"

Knifepoint Kidnap attempt at High School (03 Nov 14)
Thug ignores no weapons at school law.

Senseless killings continue- 23 dead in less than a month- powerful weapons too readily available- Police chief does nothing to stop the killings- No editorial demands for new restrictions on deadly killing machines
Okay, the story is about a guy who killed a man and left another critical by running a light and hitting them with a 2,000 pound taxi cab, not a gun. Cars kill many time more people than guns do, but those with a political agenda only want to demonize guns and gun owners.

Bill of Rights- All or none!
Letter writer makes good point, although he seems somewhat hostile to the Second Amendment.

Park City wants defenseless victims
School board relucantly complies with state law allowing carefully screened permit holders to carry their legal self defense weapons in schoools, but will vote on 18 Nov to ask the Legislature to institute the "Columbine Secruity Plan" (i.e- only criminals will have weapons).

Theft of collector guns
Thieves targeted legally owned full auto guns. (No, they did not wait for background checks.) A lot of full auto guns are stolen from police agencies every year, too.

Elk hunters bag big rewards in poaching bust
$1,000 cash and $5,000 trophy permit!

Lies and Statistics
Tribune blasted for "...yet another liberal, environmental extremist attack on the freedoms of Americans via class warfare, attempting to pit those who don't enjoy riding ATVs against those who do" by citing number of accidents (which is increasing) while ignoring accident rates which are declining as even more people enjoy ATVs. While this is not gun related, it confirms the type of tactics used by an agenda driven media pretending to present news.11/2/03

Weapons ban a failure
Great letter- "Most gun violence is committed by criminals using guns for criminal activity. To put it otherwise is an outrageous untruth. I encourage everyone to inform themselves. We should not accept untruths repeated many times as truth." 11/1/03

Knee-jerk gun debates
Letter writer points out emotionalism on both sides of this issue, but neglects point that anti-gun crowd seldom has anything but emotion to back their arguments for the failed concept of gun control. 11/1/03

Utahns in the dark on gun laws (DNews)
Federal study shows Utahns clueless about existing gun laws. No wonder so many fall for the propaganda saying we need to ban guns in schools, etc. 10/31/03
Severity of Utah gun laws not common knowledge (Tribune 11/2/03

Illegal Alien charged for shooting at cop
Broke the law entering the U.S; was engaged in attempted burglary when spotted, then shot at cop 4 times. It was illegal for him to have a gun at all, but obviously crooks break laws.
"It's not the guns, it's the crminals, stupid!" 10/31/03

Nice story on Cowboy Action Shooting (in Idaho)
(This is second or third time the Tribune has run a positive story on this extremely popular shooting sport.)

Gun Ban Fan supports Dinse, chides NRA
Claims gun contrl works, even though CDC studies did not find any such evidence. Her mind is made up, don't confuse her with facts, but Tribune chose to run her letter suporting their gun ban agenda. 10/27/03

Free- Home firearms safety class Nov 1st
As part of an ongoing effort to promote safe and responsible firearms ownership, the Utah Precision Marksmanship Society is offering a free home firearms safety seminar on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 9 a.m. at the University of Utah Naval Sciences Building, 100 S. 1465 East in Salt Lake City. The course will be taught by Elden Bodily, an NRA certified instructor. There is no charge for the class, but a tax-deductible donation to UPMS is welcomed. For more information and reservations, call Matt DeLong at 801-581-7462.
Please tell any anti-gun folks so they can go. None of the so-called "gun safety" groups do anything like this, they just promote gun ban schemes.

Lies and Nonsense from Brady Bunch: "NRA is killing America"
Too many untruths to count but here are lowlights of their deception: guns kill "12 kids a day", 2nd Amendment is for the militia, well funded gun lobby has frustrated even minal efforts to reduce violence. He does not want to confiscate guns (yeah, right but will he still love us in the morning?). The "gun safety movement" just wants to keep guns away from bad people and make guns safer. "...the NRA has nothing to offer us but more tragedy and death. The supposed "solution" favored by the NRA — heavier sentences for those committing crimes with guns — will do little to save lives."
The author is a novelist, and this proves he is very skilled at producing fiction, and that the truth starved LA Times loves his work. Sadly, the Deseret News chose to print this lying garbage.

Man dies in hunting accident
Keep the safety "ON" until you see game and are in a stable position to shoot.

Daylight home invasion in Kearns
Another example of why law abiding citizens should NOT have to lock up their protection. No time to call 911, so perps not caught, and police only took a report. Do you fee safer now?

Squeamish camper chides hunters
"...makes many of us non-hunters wish Utah would further restrict hunting."
Probably a vegetarian or someone who thinks hamburger comes from a factory.

Educate kids about guns
Deseret News editorial hits the bullseye!
Instruction is a good way to prevent boating accidents and car accidents. It is also the best way to short-circuit gunshot accidents....Many gunshot deaths are accidents. Accidents are the result of human error. Innocence, ignorance and negligence can lead to accidents. Good information is good accident prevention.

With teachers like this- Nutty Professor rebuked
Great letter to editor points out folly of having people like the professor "educating" others.

Gun Grabbers Deny it!
(Quoting from KSL TV News)Toni Marie Sutliff/GVPC President: "WE SEEK JUST TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GUNS ARE IN THE HANDS OF THE WRONG PEOPLE." The organization, wants to reduce gun violence in the state ... by addressing firearm suicide ... as well as access of firearms, to children ... and, the toll gun violence takes on families and communities".
Just who who are the "wrong people"? Are they renouncing banning legal self defense in churches or schools; closing "gun show loopholes", "safe storage" schemes; gun rationing; registration; local firearms laws?
Yeah, and Chairman Mao was just an "agrarian reformer."

Nutty Professor, Part III- U of U Law school's John Flynn makes nonsensical argument on U's gun ban (10/19/03)
As one who has taught law for 42 years, Flynn's arguments may make sense to himself. To others, his contorted assertion of "higher laws" totally ignores "higher laws" such as the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article 6 of the Utah Constitution. He probably wonders why most people disdain lawyers. Remember, this is the "nutty professor" reported on previously:

 

Nutty Professor, Part II (4/26/2002)
U of U Law Prof John Flynn, who threatened to quit if the U's illegal ban on lawful self defense guns is not upheld now has a novel interpretation of the "right to keep and bear arms." He claims it refers to "associating with the coat of arms of one's sovereign" Were appropriations for "arms" for the militia intended to buy banners or muskets, or maybe a new arm for Captain Hook? You pay to have this guy teach our prospective lawyers!!!! And the Tribune editors actually printed this nonsense! Maybe they think "freedom of the press" has something to do with laundry.

Nutty Professor, Part I- Attorney General Shurtleff stands firm, makes sense; (4/18/2002)
U of U Law Prof. Flynn makes nonsensical threat to quit if Law upheld Hope Flynn finds a job elsewhere---soon! Law professor's attitudes may explain why the profession is held in low esteem.

NRA blasts Anti-Gun Salt Lake Top Cop Dinse
"...supporting an organization that believes restricting the rights of law-abiding Americans is an effective means of stopping crime is a step in the wrong direction. "

Shurtleff appeals court ruling upholding U.'s gun ban
"I disagree with the judge's opinion," Shurtleff said. "But the issue might become moot. If the Legislature changes the law, I'll pull the appeal."
Shurtleff is right, the judge is wrong, as simple as that.

Chief Dinse refuses to resign from anti-gun extremist group
Okay, so he thinks guns cause violence (like spoons make Rosie O'Donnell fat?) but what about other far more serious threats to public safety? Is he on the board of Mothers against Drunk Driving? Drug abuse prevention groups? Illegal immigration enforcement groups? Fire prevention? Water safety? If not, the only possible conclusion is that his anti-gun rights bias is undeniable, or that his California attitudes on guns are unacceptable and ineffective.

CCRKBA Calls on Anti-Gun Salt Lake City Police Chief to Resign
"By joining the board of an outspoken anti-gun-rights organization, Chief Dinse has made it abundantly clear that he cannot fulfill his obligation to enforce the laws of Utah, including its sensible concealed carry law, fairly and objectively," said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. "If he wants to get into politics, he needs to get out of law enforcement."

Local story on Dinse's new anti-gun job
Note that the gun ban bunch claims "We are not anti-gun; we are anti-gun violence," but their solutions are all infringements on law abiding gun owners, with the clear goal of registration and confiscation. The do NO gun safety work at all, just gun control!

Should you carry a gun for self defense?
People like Edward Hackett, a repeated kidnapper now accused of murder, have been let out on parole to prey on honest citizens!

Teen wounded in freak accident by coyote shooter
Juab county farm boy hit by rifle shot fired over 6/10 of a mile away but ricocheted. Hundreds of kids are killed or injured in farming accidents every year, but "gun" accident gets headlines.

U. gun ban back in court
"I believe that the decision was wrong, and I think I have a duty to appeal it to a higher court," Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said.

Tribune blames Attorney General Shurtleff for Judge Hilder's fleeing from gun case
No one wants to say the obvious- the Judge's decision supporting the University of Utah's illegal gun ban is so ridiculous that he simply want to avoid having to defend it! AG Shurtleff is right on his comments on this issue, as is Senator Mike Waddoups. Anti-gun rights judges like H-I-L-D-E-R must be thrown off the court before their prejudices do more harm.

Turn Golf Courses into Shooting Ranges?
Tribune editorial laments the glut of golf courses which are very expensive to maintain and operate. They suggest alternative uses including shooting ranges (along with soccer, cross country skiing, equestrian park or plain old park) as possible less costly alternative uses for some golf courses. USSC strongly supports the building of additional ranges in the Salt Lake metro area, especially since the North Salt Lake gun club, and Pro Arms ranges have been closed, and Holladay Gun Club will close soon. Utah State Rifle & Pistol Assn is working hard to get new ranges in other parts of the state, but has not been able to find Salt Lake metro areas.

Judge Hilder bows out on guns in schools
Widespread public criticism followed his verbal decision to uphold the University of Utah's illegal gun ban, without any explanation of how he reached an idiotic decision, clearly contrary to the plain language of Utah law. Now, he has recused himself from further involvement in the case. This judge is unfit to serve in Utah courts and should be thrown out of office in the next Judicial Retention election. Remember the name- H-I-L-D-E-R.

Jeff Cooper, the father of modern combat gun handling has said: "If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." Death Penalty Observations "This week the Justice Department released 'Capital Punishment 2001,' its latest annual survey of death penalty statistics.. . . It is striking that a controversy so large revolves around numbers so small. The death penalty is available in 38 states and the federal system, yet only 66 convicted killers were executed in the United States last year. That was fewer than the 85 executed in 2000, which in turn was fewer than the 98 executed in 1999. " ...But whatever else might be said about these numbers, they are eclipsed by a far larger and more heartbreaking number, one not mentioned in the Justice Department's report: the number of murder victims. In 2001, *15,980*Americans lost their lives to murder -- a death toll hundreds of times greater than the small body count of executed murderers. "Year after year, the number of inmates put to death by the state --usually painlessly and after years of due process -- adds up to a minuscule fraction of the number of Americans purposely shot, beaten, strangled,knifed, poisoned, burned, drowned, hanged, and tortured to death by murderers." - Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby

 

Senior Games: Cowboys on-target in sport shoot
Great coverage of the first time Cowboy Action Shooting has been included in teh Utah Senior Games. Please thank the Tribune for this fine story.

Changing laws, views have hunters turning out in fewer numbers
Fewer hunters means fewer gun users to care about gun rights. That is why you will find a lot of cooperation between anti-gun extremists and anti-hunting groups.

Rolly & Wells wrong again
Attack on pro-gun Congressman Rob Bishop is an outright lie! Accuracy is not a priority for this gossip column. Bishop may have helped defeat anti-gun bills while Speaker of Utah House, but did so on principle. WOrse, there has never been a "safe storage" bill passed out of committee, so they are totally inaccurate.

Hunting no taboo for bird watcher
Amen! Without hunters and their funding wildlife would be much scarcer

Enforcing the Laws- Government of law, not polls: Attorney General Shurtleff speaks!
"...not about whether there should be guns on campus but whether the University of Utah must obey the law."

No Proof gun control laws cut crime
David Nelson's great letter reinforces fact that gun control is a failed concept.

What would Jesus pack?
Anti- gunner's foolish question in a letter.
(For anyone not able to rise from the dead after three days, a Glock or Colt 1911 would be a good choice....)

SLC Top cop joins anti-gun extremists
Chief Dinse's California experience is only with gun control schemes that lead to more armed criminals, not safer society. He is using his office to push a failed agenda.
It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!

Robber faces long term for using firearm in stickup
Getting criminals off the streets solves gun violence, not disarming victims. Chief Dinse (above) needs to pay attention.

CDC has no proof gun laws cut crime
After years of experience, years of study by multiple researchers (many with an agenda to support gun control) they would have found SOMETHING if any form of gun control worked, but they have found NOTHING!
There is plenty of proof that gun control does NOT WORK- just look at Washington, DC, Chicago, Australia and England.

Gun safety education is answer, not "safe storage" nonsense
Good letter to editor.

Don't be misled on guns by news media polls
Bryan George's letter hits the bullseye on media BS.
"For eight years now, the public has been subjected to a near constant barrage of dire editorial predictions and scary "what if" stories about the supposed dangers of concealed-carry permit holders on school campuses. Though such fears remain unsupported by any factual evidence, alarmists proudly maintain that 70 percent of Utahns support greater restrictions.
I've spoken to my legislators at length concerning this issue. Unlike that vaunted 70 percent, they've actually done their homework. Though well-intentioned, it appears that a majority of Utahns have failed to ascertain the facts and in so doing have allowed themselves to be misled by emotional fertilizer from a handful of ill-informed doomsayers."

Gun bans only disarm the law abiding
Letter to editor makes good point.

"Guns, beer: A recipe for festival fun"
Robert Kirby's humorous review of the sceond annual Schutzenfest at the Blue Boar Inn in Midway, using the Solider Hollow biathlon range. [Note: USSC does not endorse mixing alcohol and gunpowder- it is not safe, and tastes horrible...;-)]

"Leavitt's legacy for Utah is worst pollution imaginable-guns in schools"
Distraught letter writer claims.
(Author is founder of Utah's anti gun extremist group. His son was murdered in a school in Indiana by a thug despite federal and state laws and college rules..Sadly, the parents remain in denail about the fact that criminals do not obey laws.)

WVC man cleared in self defense shooting
Sadly, sometimes it is necessary to take a life to protect your own. If we had the "safe storage" laws some want, the "victim" would have killed two innocent people.

Deseret News Editorial supports "safe storage"
"Lock up your protection" laws will not prevent stupid or careless acts. They even want to inlcude exceptions for greiving parents, but if they are not willing to prosecute them, why bother passing such a law? Better solution is teaching gun safety, and removing the attraction of the unknown by getting kids involved in safe shooting sports.

Mullen column: 'Accident' is a curious word
Another feel good argument that people doing stupid or illegal acts would simply stop, if there was one more law burdening the law abiding.

Tribune bashes Attorney General Shurtleff for gun stand
Tribune just refuses to accept reality that turning schools into "unarmed victim zones" is a deadly mistake. Contends polls of persons ignorant of facts should be basis for action.

For self-defense
Destroys Tribune's arguments against legal guns in schools based on "...warm fuzzy belief that only good people enter our halls of learning." Good letter!

Guns are necessary
Letter points out obvious truth (that is not obvious to the gun grabber lobby): "Outlawing guns will only remove them from law-abiding citizens. The lawless will then be the only ones with guns."

We want safe schools and we know that guns, not signs, are tools of safety.
Great letter to editor points out how stupid Tribune editorial was

Legislators may revisit gun issue
(a) Some judges are predisposed to gun control; (b) Legislative fix is easier than further court cases; (c) Sen.Waddoups to run bill to clarify that U is NOT its own magic kingdom and cannot defy state law; (d) Anti gun extremist group (and their willing accomplices at the Tribune) will work to sucker the public into believing their "gun ban for good guys" will somehow make schools safer.