GOUtah!
Letter To Attorney General Shurtleff Regarding Concealed Weapons On the U Campus

Fri, 10 May 2002
Dear Attorney General Shurtleff,

I forward the following story from today's Deseret News and ask that you move to see that the laws of our State are equally enforced. There is no reason why judges and the taxpayer funded courts they use should not be subject to the same laws as other government run facilities.

I know you are well aware and believe that gun lockers provide increased safety and security over simply expecting law-abiding citizens to go unarmed, or to find impromptu storage for their legally carried weapons. I share that view.

However, like the University of Utah case, this situation with our courts goes beyond simple public safety or the right to own and carry the means of an effective self defense. It goes to the very heart of our system of government. We are a nation of laws, not of men. And that applies even when the men in question hold the position of judge. In fact, those entrusted with the position of judging the law and overseeing our judicial system should be held to the highest standard of setting a good example of obeying the law, even if they personally disagree with it. That is what I am expected to do, at least until such time as a proper suit has been filed and the courts have formally declared a law unconstitutional.

If any person finds the new law objectionable and really believes it violates our Constitution, he should file suit and let the question be decided after full and proper arguments have been made. It is completely unacceptable for anyone or any group to unilaterally decide to ignore the law. Please enforce our laws that our system of government may be preserved and respected.

Sincerely,

Charles Hardy
Policy Director,
Gun Owners of Utah (GOUtah!) 801-523-3817
charles@goutahorg.org