Utah PTA is concerned about concealed weapons in schools because the issue affects the safety of children. We had hoped that this issue would have been handled years ago.

Prior to 1995, state law prohibited persons other than trained law enforcement officers from carrying weapons into schools. In 1995, the Legislature liberalized the concealed weapon carry law by allowing a person to apply for a permit without cause. Passage of the concealed carry law created conflict with the school section of Utah code that prohibits weapons of any kind in schools.The school section still stands, but the exceptions to the 1995 concealed carry law do not include schools. We began to work with the legislative process. Of the 25 states that have liberalized their concealed weapon permit carry laws, Utah is the only state that allows them in their schools. We have continued over the years to work on this safety issue. This issue has been brought to the forefront by the media since the Columbine and other shooting tragedies.

We then hoped that after seeing the overwhelming public opinion poll that emphasized the public's concern over concealed weapons in schools that this issue would have been handled in the special session, but this was not done. We believe that the Legislature will deal with the gun and violence issue during the regular legislative session. Utah PTA wants to ensure that the citizens have a voice and that this issue is not dictated by a special interest group that has a lot of money to spend on this issue.

Utah PTA is the largest child advocacy organization in the state of Utah, established to promote the welfare of children and youths. We are writing to address inaccurate information from the letter that appeared on the editorial page Aug. 26. Terry Thompson's report of the PTA convention activities was incorrect.

The PTA organization has structure, policy and bylaws that direct all of our activities. Utah PTA's annual convention is designed to allow our local units and members to bring forward resolutions regarding their concerns that will have a statewide impact. The procedure to pass a resolution is clearly defined in the Utah PTA handbook guidelines and is available to every local unit. Resolutions are mailed to every local president 30 days prior to the convention. Delegates are encouraged to review resolutions and come to the convention prepared to represent their local support and/or concerns. A Utah PTA resolution is a call for action and gives the organization direction in establishing a plan of work.

Utah PTA 1998 resolution, "Concealed Weapons in Schools," was the first resolution considered at the second general business session during the afternoon from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 1998. This was not handled during the dinner hour as suggested in the letter to the editor.

Utah PTA makes every effort to include every member in the discussion. Because of the importance of the business meeting, no other activities such as workshops, exhibits, dinners, etc., were held during the meeting. The credential report indicates that there were 1,158 voting delegates registered, with each delegate representing 25 local members. After discussion regarding this issue, the motion to adopt the resolution passed with approximately 50 dissenting votes. PTA had a registered parliamentarian in attendance. Her role was to oversee the business and ensure compliance with Roberts Rules and our state bylaws.

The major concerns of Utah PTA are:

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Since 1995, the number of concealed carry permits has increased from 1,000 to over 30,300; one major concern is that permit carriers can now take their weapons into schools, and before 1995, guns were banned from Utah classrooms.

School boards are reinforcing the statutory ban on guns in schools by passing their own rules prohibiting permit holders from entering schools while carrying their guns.

Documented cases of permit holders carrying weapons into Utah schools and using them inappropriately are increasing. While it is true no one has yet been shot, it is the belief of Utah PTA that weapons left in backpacks, purses and briefcases create unsafe situations for our children. We have also received reports of permit holders showing their weapons to students and others in school. As an organization, we are not willing to wait for an injury or death before resolving an unsafe situation. If you have concerns about the direction Utah PTA is taking, we encourage you to join PTA. We will listen to your concerns, take them to our membership and let voices be heard on issues affecting our children. Get involved for all children.

Colleen Taylor is president of Utah PTA.

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