Capitol Media Services

 Concealed weapons

 A measure approved Thursday by the House Judiciary Committee would let Arizonans have loaded guns anywhere in their vehicles even if they don’t have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

 Current law already spells out that guns in cars must be visible unless the person has a permit. But the law also lets weapons be stored in glove boxes and map pockets and still not be considered “concealed.’’

 Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said otherwise innocent citizens can get in trouble if a jacket falls over a gun on a seat or if the weapon slips beneath the seat.

 The vote to approve HB 2389 came over the objections of Lt. Bob Ticer of the Department of Public Safety. He said it would make it easier for gang members to stash weapons underneath the seat - - and make traffic stops more dangerous for police officers.

 But Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, said he doubts gang members are worried about the law in the first place. “If they’re willing to kill a police officer they’re willing to hide a gun under the seat,’’ he said.

 Gay marriage

 Without a word of debate, the House Judiciary Committee voted 6-3 Thursday to ask voters to amend the state constitution to limit marriage to one man and one woman.

 HCR 2065 is narrower than a ballot measure defeated in 2006 which would have not only banned same-sex marriages but also banned government recognition of civil unions and outlawed agencies from providing benefits to the domestic partners of public employees.

 The measure has taken on political overtones, with the Center for Arizona Policy, which crafted the measure, getting virtually every Republican legislator to sign on as a sponsor. The 6-3 party-line vote, with Democrats in the minority, sends the bill to the full House.

 Drunken drivers

 Motorists involved in accidents resulting in serious or fatal injuries would have their licenses immediately suspended if  police officer had grounds to believe they were intoxicated under the terms of legislation approved Thursday by the Senate Committee on Public Services and Human Resources.

 Under current law, police take away the licenses of motorists in that situation but provide them with a temporary permit. Tha allows the person to keep driving while the question of whether they were legally intoxicated is decided.

 Sen. Jim Waring, R-Phoenix, said people in those situations should not be allowed to drive in the interim.

 The vote on SB 1008 came over the objections of Don Isaacson, lobbyist for the Arizona Licensed Beverage Association, who said

 SB 1008 turns the concept of “innocent until proven guilty’’ on its head.