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SALT LAKE CITY -- We've got a state bird, a state flower and a state gun--the 1911 semi-automatic Browning pistol. Even without that tribute to John M. Browning, Utah is known around the country as gun land.
The Deseret News and Sunday Edition today examined why gun owners around the country love Utah.
Related:
Sunday Edition: Firearms in Utah; Bullying
In this Sunday Edition, KSL's Rich Piatt explores Utah's national reputation when it comes to firearms with Deseret News reporter Lois Collins. Also, following a national call to stop bullying, Carla Kelley from the Human Rights Center of Utah explains how we can prevent tragedy."I've yet to meet a person in the gun community who doesn't give Utah a big thumbs up," says Pennsylvania resident Jason Schafer.
He is an NRA senior training counselor and comes to Utah every 36 months to re-certify with Utah's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
"It's excellent, and that goes from the Legislature down through the department of public safety, especially the folks at the BCI," explained Schafer.
While the BCI gets high marks for efficiency and background checks, gun owners also covet the coverage that comes with the Utah permit. In fact, 16 states have formal agreements recognizing it, another 17 do so less formally.
That's not the only reason the permit is sought after.
"It's really two-fold. It's wanting to have that coverage, to be able to travel and legally carry a gun. And the other part of it is it's just people really wanting to give Utah 65.25 because you are good enough to trust me with your permit," said Schafer.
In 2010 alone, nearly 15,000 Utah residents applied for a concealed carry permit. More than 50,000 people who live outside of Utah also applied for that same document. Most never stepped foot in Utah to get it.
I don't know if we deserve that accolade of being the gun state. I don't think that's healthy. I don't even think it is representative of the views of the majority of the citizens of the state.
–Steve Gunn, Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah
#gunn_quote
Schaffer says it's viewed as a badge of honor. Deseret News reporter Lois Collins agrees. She's explored Utah's gun reputation.
"They say it's the best classes, the best training. It's so broadly respected," she said.
To get a Utah permit you need to learn Utah's gun laws when it comes to a bunch of topics, such as what constitutes justifiable force and where weapons are prohibited.
"It's actually pretty rigorous. I tell everyone that takes the course that if you are granted a Utah permit, you're really in the top 3 percent of humanity--as far as you've just never really been charged or convicted with anything," said Schafer."
You don't have to physically handle a gun in class to get the permit though.
"I don't know if we deserve that accolade of being the gun state," said Steve Gunn, with the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah.
He worries about Utah's reputation as a gun-loving state. "I don't think that's healthy. I don't even think it is representative of the views of the majority of the citizens of the state," Gunn said.
In February, the Legislature made a change to the concealed-weapon permit. Out-of-state gun owners now have to get a permit from their home state first, if one is available. Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, says the change will make the Utah permit recognized more widely.
Watch Sunday Edition for more discussion on "Gun Land" with Deseret News reporter Lois Collins.
Email: cmadsen@ksl.com
