Instead of passing gun laws, Utah tells students to hide in the blood of fallen classmates
Hits & Misses
By Katharine Biele @kathybiele
Miss: Locked and Loaded
If high school students are trapped in a room while an armed assailant is roaming the halls, what should they do? Lie down and cover themselves with the blood of fallen students so the shooter will think they're dead? This was the school shooting training that a teenage friend recently described to me. We were talking about the "good old days" when students were taught to "duck and cover" in case of a nuclear attack or an earthquake. Today, things are different. "We have to make the doors lock better, we have to make the windows stronger and of course we've got to increase school resource officers," vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance said during his debate with Tim Walz, "because the idea that we can magically wave a wand and take guns out of the hands of bad guys, it just doesn't fit with recent experience." While Utah lawmakers haven't taken direct action, at least they're thinking about it. Republican Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, suggests that parents lock their guns away. The untouchable 2nd Amendment has not only put our children's lives at risk, but also their mental well-being.
Miss: Get Out the Vote
Don't expect Utah to approve open primaries any time soon. But at least the law now gives citizens in any party a voice and a vote. That's what the signature path to the ballot is all about. Utah added the signature path in 2014 to address legal challenges to the law requiring caucuses. Die-hard Republicans have never liked adding "the people" to the vote, and have made signature gathering more expensive while they continue to try to pass laws to protect the caucuses. All this came to a head this year when the GOP's presidential primary imploded with irregularities and long lines. No one was happy, as Daryl Acumen will tell you. A legislative committee was set to hear about the problems but ended up shutting down the discussion as "inappropriate." Acumen, a former vice chair of the Utah County Republican Party, wanted to present statistics showing why the caucus system sucks. Lawmakers had none of it, and now have to fend off thin, conspiracy-ridden arguments against signatures.
Hit: Anywhere but Here
Power to the people—even if they don't often win. If you've ever tried to get a billboard moved in Utah, you know the law is not on your side. Billboard locations are grandfathered by law, but Cottonwood Heights residents may be getting a reprieve. Reagan Outdoor Advertising began construction on a billboard near Hillside Plaza and neighbors fear that it will obstruct their mountain views. Reportedly, Reagan is actually considering relocating the billboard. Meanwhile, Clinton residents are gathering signatures in opposition of a planned townhome project. You can't call them affordable—the cost apparently would start at $430,000. The Clinton City Council voted 3-2 to rezone the acreage. They now face a referendum next year.
About The Author
Katharine Biele
A City Weekly contributor since 1992, Katharine Biele is the informed voice behind our Hits & Misses column. When not writing, you can catch her working to empower voters and defend democracy alongside the League of Women Voters.
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