Democrats in the Utah Legislature know all about tiny steps and small victories. Often, that's all they can claim.
Two members of the minority party want to apply that same approach and philosophy to keep guns out of churches.Just because state lawmakers can't agree on a comprehensive package banning concealed weapons from an array of public and private buildings, senators Robert Steiner and Pete Suazo say that's no reason to give up altogether.
Steiner, D-Salt Lake City, plans to amend a noncontroversial House bill to prevent concealed weapons permit-holders from bringing their guns inside places of worship.
If HB242 is amended and passed, it would be the first successful effort by lawmakers to abolish concealed weapons from any arena since discussions toward that end began 21/2 years ago.
"One step at a time. It's the first bite of the apple," Steiner said Wednesday. "This amendment is the least controversial of all the steps we can take."
Steiner's amendment would ban the weapons in church buildings but allow leaders of individual churches to make exceptions for those who request them.
Suazo, D-Salt Lake City, is considering his own amendment to HB242 that would ban concealed weapons in public schools - elementary, junior high and high schools - while giving school districts the authority to make exceptions.
State law already bans all guns from certain buildings, including courts and airports. But persons with a concealed weapons permit can now carry their guns into churches, public schools, colleges and universities, businesses and other people's homes, although some lawmakers feel residents already have the right to ban concealed weapons from their homes.
There also is no legal restriction on concealed weapons in state buildings and vehicles, although Gov. Mike Leavitt has ordered state employees not to carry weapons - permitted or otherwise - on state property except when essential to their jobs, including law enforcement. The Legislature's own attorney, however, is of the opinion that Leavitt's personnel decision is unlawful.
Senate President Lane Beattie, R-West Bountiful, intended to run a bill banning concealed weapons from churches, homes and public schools, but withdrew it saying it lacked support in the House.
Beattie said he will vote for Steiner's amendment and believes it might stand a chance, but added he doesn't sense support this year for banning guns from public schools.
It could be Friday or even Monday before the Senate debates HB242, sponsored by House Minority Whip Steve Barth, D-Salt Lake City.
As now written, HB242 establishes the circumstances under which a concealed weapons permit can be revoked.
Barth said his primary intent with the bill is to allow state officials to revoke a concealed weapons permit when the permit-holder is convicted of a felony. But he said he supports the change to ban concealed weapons from churches.
"That one issue, I think, is different than anything else," he said.
The question, however, is how Republicans in the Senate and, particularly, in the House will react. Steiner said his amendment also has the support of Senate Majority Assistant Whip Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan.
A Deseret News opinion poll conducted before the start of the session showed 88 percent of Utahns think concealed weapons should be banned from churches and 89 percent agree they should be prohibited from public schools.