ALL NEWS

Special session Wednesday won’t address Second Amendment Sanctuary

May 17, 2021, 9:52 AM | Updated: 3:00 pm

utah 2022 legislative session...

FILE: Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, opens the Utah Legislature's 2021 general session in the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The governor called a special session for Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox called Utah lawmakers to meet in a special legislative session on Wednesday, May 19. But he elected not to include two hot button issues on the agenda: making Utah a Second Amendment Sanctuary, and address Critical Race Theory in schools. 

The special session will primarily focus on what Cox’s office described in a release as “crucial budget issues;” specifically, legislators will decide whether to accept federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act, and how to appropriate those funds. 

Special session addresses budget, provides legislative fixes

In a letter to lawmakers, Cox listed 22 action items for them to consider in special session. 

Other than the federal funds, the agenda items include making changes to the state’s budgets for fiscal years 2021 and 2022, amendments to a number of regulations, and updates to bills passed in the 2021 regular session. 

RELATED: Supreme Court to take on major gun rights case

Also on the agenda: updated eligibility requirements for police officers, modified deadlines for the independent commission responsible for redistricting. 

Cox also directs lawmakers to consider a resolution to condemn acts of anti-Asian hate and celebrate the heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 

Two items of note specifically address how the pandemic impacted schools. He asks the legislature to authorize UPSTART funds to help kindergarten students whose learning may have been affected by the pandemic, and in another item, to prohibit “certain face mask requirements in K-12 schools.” 

Additionally, he asks lawmakers to extend his state of emergency for drought conditions. 

Second Amendment Sanctuary, Critical Race Theory absent from special session agenda

In excluding pushes to ban Critical Race Theory from schools and making Utah a Second Amendment Sanctuary during the special session, Cox said he looked to precedent set by former governors. 

RELATED: Liv Mic: Uintah County is first in state to become “Second Amendment sanctuary”

“Historically, Utah’s governors have only used the power to call special sessions for emergencies, time deadlines, issues of broad consensus or to fix technical mistakes in the code,” Cox wrote. 

He went on to say he chose to include some items, after working with legislative leaders, that “arguably could have waited” until the next regular session. 

“However, there are two issues that I felt would benefit from more time, thought, dialogue and input: Critical Race Theory, and the Second Amendment Sanctuary State. While I’m sure someone might be able to point out differently, I can’t remember these types of hot-button issues ever being put on a special session call. It’s not that I disagree with the desire to act, but doing it the right way — and at the right time — will lead to better legislation.” 

Critical Race Theory under the microscope

Around a dozen states have considered bills targeting Critical Race Theory, and Idaho’s governor signed one such bill into law earlier this month. Proponents of the theory argue that it’s important to view both America’s past and present in light of racist policies that continue to affect communities of color, in everything from who gets pulled over by police to who can buy a home. Opponents argue it teaches children to feel shame and guilt over their identities or even to hate their countries. 

In an opinion piece for the Deseret News, one of Utah’s congressmen, Republican Rep. Chris Stewart, spoke out against Critical Race Theory. 

RELATED:  Online petition calls for State Board Member’s removal, claims comments support homophobia

“Utah’s educational system does not exist to rewrite history through the lens of ‘wokeness,'” Stewart wrote

Last fall, a number of educators spoke out after then-President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to stop funding anti-racist training. Two professors, David DeMatthews and Terri Watson, expressed their views in an opinion piece for Education Week. 

“Critical race theory, which presupposes that racism is embedded within society and institutions, is not propaganda or anti-American; it is a toolkit for examining and addressing racism and other forms of marginalization,” they wrote. “Rather than rejecting this toolkit, the Department of Education should ensure principals and teachers learn how it can be applied to address long-standing educational inequities.”

Second Amendment Sanctuary laws growing in popularity 

States passing legislation to become Second Amendment Sanctuaries prohibit their local or state law enforcement officers from enforcing federal firearm restrictions. Montana and Arizona became the latest states to do so earlier this year. Prior to that, local, not state governments, led the charge. Today over 1,000 localities nationwide have passed Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions. 

Essentially, supporters argue that federal gun safety laws and restrictions violate their constitutional right to bear arms. 

However, some legal scholars argue that because federal courts have established some limits on constitutional guarantees, it is the federal case law that takes precedence over state or local, not the other way around. 

The first such Second Amendment Sanctuary law to face a legal challenge currently awaits its hearing in an Oregon court. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

All News

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of t...

Simone Seikaly

Extending state flooding emergency, firearm restrictions, among topics for Utah special session

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of the legislature.

11 months ago

A video recorded by Facebook user Larry Jacquez shows the police response following the shooting in...

Jamiel Lynch, CNN     

At least 3 people killed and 2 officers wounded in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police say

Multiple people were shot and at least three killed in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police said in a Facebook post.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now....

Allessandra Harris

Camping over Memorial Day Weekend? Plan ahead

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now.

11 months ago

slcpd on the scene of the deaths...

Josh Ellis

Police: Teen killed by father in murder-suicide in SLC office building

Police responded to the office complex near 3000 S. Highland Drive on Saturday after emergency responders received a call from a community member who reported finding a body.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Special session Wednesday won’t address Second Amendment Sanctuary