Senate Sends Gun Storage Bill To Governor

PHOENIX - The Senate today approved and sent Governor Napolitano a bill that would let a person take a gun into a public event or building if the operator bans weapons but doesn't provide individually locked storage spaces.

Current state law allows operators of public buildings and events to ban weapons if they provide storage places for them.

The bill specifies that an operator prohibiting weapons would have to provide supervised locked storage place for weapons and requires that gun owners be provided the keys for the lock boxes.

If there aren't enough boxes, a person would be allowed to enter with the weapon.

Backers of the bill say it respects the rights of gun owners lawfully carrying firearms, while opponents say it would be better for people to leave their guns at home rather than taking them into events such as professional sports contests.