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Clark Aposhian, a firearms instructor and chair of the Utah Shooting Sports Council, said there is nothing in Utah’s permissive gun policies that would somehow make it easier for an assassin to kill Kirk, who was speaking outdoors to students.

鈥淣o law allows a person to bring a rifle on a campus, climb on a roof and shoot somebody. It was wrong from the get-go,鈥� Aposhian said Thursday.

Attorney Mitch Vilos, who specializes in Utah gun law, agreed.

鈥淭his was obviously well planned,鈥� he said.

Few barriers to gun possession

Utah is considered a conservative state, culturally and politically. It or conceal them without a permit, though there are restrictions for people ages 18 to 20. The state does offer concealed-carry permits, which some people prefer because they are honored in other states that require them, Vilos said.

鈥淭he reason we can open carry in Utah is because there’s no law that prohibits it,鈥� Aposhian said.

There are some exceptions at public colleges. Aposhian said a permit is required to carry a firearm, either in the open or concealed.

At the University of Utah, 鈥減olice will confirm that those carrying openly on campus have a concealed weapon permit,鈥� the school in Salt Lake City says on its website.

Utah Valley in Orem, where Kirk was killed, says it follows state law and allows gun owners to carry a concealed firearm if they have a permit.

Kirk defended gun rights

Kirk was answering a question about gun violence when a single shot was heard Wednesday.

鈥淒o you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?鈥� someone said.

鈥淐ounting or not counting gang violence?鈥� replied Kirk, who was a firm supporter of gun rights.

Vilos, who was written a book about Utah gun policy, said the state believes in 鈥減rotective gun laws.鈥�

鈥淭he idea is to protect the innocent,” he said, 鈥渁s long as you’re not doing things that would cause someone to believe that they’re being threatened by the presence of your firearm.鈥�