The fatal shooting of far-right activist Charlie Kirk on a Utah university campus has reignited debate over a newly passed law permitting individuals with concealed-carry permits to carry firearms on college grounds openly. Passed in August, HB 128 has quickly come under scrutiny as students, faculty, and safety advocates question its impact on campus security. The shooting and the law’s timing have pushed Utah’s gun policies into the national spotlight.
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Law Sparks Fresh Debate
Utah has allowed both open and concealed carry of firearms without a permit since 2021. However, before HB 128, guns had to be hidden on college campuses. The new law authorizes permit holders to carry in these spaces openly. Faculty raised alarms about armed students responding during emergencies and the risks of firearms around laboratories storing hazardous chemicals. The proximity of the law’s passage to Kirk’s shooting has made the issue even more urgent.
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Shooter And Legal Questions
Authorities identified the suspect as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who used a hunting rifle in the attack. It remains unclear whether Robinson was legally allowed to possess the weapon or to bring it onto university grounds. Investigators are also determining whether the shooting had any direct connection to the newly passed legislation, but the law itself is now under intense national examination.
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Utah’s Gun Landscape
HB 128 did not emerge in isolation but added to Utah’s already gun-friendly framework. The state has no red-flag laws, unlike other states where family or police can seek to temporarily remove firearms from those in crisis. Utah also allows permitless concealed carry and has laws encouraging firearm access rather than restriction. This policy environment has long fueled debates between gun rights supporters and public safety advocates.
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Focus On K-12 Safety
Utah lawmakers have traditionally concentrated safety measures on K-12 schools, which are expected to be closed campuses. Previous legislation emphasized “hardening” schools with locked doors, surveillance cameras, fencing, panic devices, and armed staff or officers. HB 119, passed last year, incentivized teachers to undergo firearm training. HB 84 in 2024 mandated panic devices in classrooms and required at least one armed person on each K-12 campus daily. Higher education institutions, however, have seen fewer such protective measures.
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Advocates Defend Law
Gun rights supporters argue that broader access to firearms deters crime and empowers civilians to defend themselves. Johnny Richardson, a Utah-based attorney and former editor of the Utah Law Review, said, “We sort of take the view here that the Second Amendment is very broad and a permit to carry a concealed weapon is just one obstacle in being able to exercise that right.” He added, “There’s a mentality that there should be as few obstacles as possible.” Advocates stress that restrictions unfairly burden law-abiding citizens.
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Critics Challenge Effectiveness
Experts warn that concealed and open carry laws may deter crimes like robbery, but are ineffective against political or grievance-driven violence. Brandon del Pozo, assistant professor at Brown University and a former police chief, explained, “The deterrence effect of concealed carry only applies to rational actors. And you get to a point in political extremism where you’re not dealing with rational people.” He emphasized the risks of allowing large numbers of guns at rallies or crowded events without sufficient security screening.
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Security Gaps Exposed
At the Kirk event, which drew nearly 3,000 attendees, campus police had six officers coordinating with Kirk’s personal security. However, students reported that there were no bag checks or metal detectors in place, according to the Associated Press. Utah Valley campus police chief Jeff Long confirmed the limited security resources, noting the challenges smaller departments face in securing outdoor or large-scale gatherings in a heavily armed state.