Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — In what seems to be a never-ending stream of proposed gun laws, a House committee considered Thursday what some have called a "Constitutional carry" bill that would do away with the need for a concealed weapons permit.
Under HB129, anyone who can legally carry a gun could carry it under a jacket, a pant leg or in any other concealed manner.
"This allows people to put a jacket on," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman.
Utahns are currently allowed to carry a weapon without any permit, as long as it's visible.
The Utah Bureau of Criminal Investigation currently denies about 200 requests for concealed weapons permits a month because of what's found on background checks.
The main concern the committee expressed was — as it has been with most of the gun-related bills — safety.
Wimmer stressed that similar legislation, sometimes called "Constitutional carry," has passed in other states without problems. "We're not treading new ground here," he said.
When there is more freedom to carry guns, crime rates go down, he said. "It's undeniable."
If the bill becomes law, there would be no reason for individuals to have a concealed weapons permit for most situations, unless they wanted to have one when traveling outside of the state. There would also be no requirement to take a concealed weapons permit class, which is essentially a gun safety class.
"There's no proficiency requirements in a concealed weapons permit course," Wimmer said.
As a concealed weapons permit instructor, Wimmer acknowledged he would probably lose students if his bill passes. He said he would do that willingly if it meant more "freedom and liberty."
Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, said he plans to take a concealed weapons permit class at the end of the session. Although some people think guns are simple, he said, "common sense sometimes isn't so common."
Some members of the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee voiced concern that, since a concealed weapons permit wouldn't be required, there would no longer be background checks done on those who wish to carry a hidden gun.
"The concealed weapons permit does provide a measure of checks and balances," Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, said.
Utah Bureau of Criminal Investigation Director Alice Erickson said the department currently denies about 200 requests for concealed weapons permits a month due to background checks.
But Wimmer said a concealed weapons permit is just a piece of paper, and certain individuals, such as gang members, would carry a gun whether they are allowed to or not.
Rep. Lee Perry, R-Perry, who is a Utah Highway Patrol lieutenant, said the bill would create difficulties in citing people who shouldn't be carrying guns. "I want to be able to catch them the first time," he said.
The bill was held by the committee. Wimmer said he will work on the bill's language with law enforcement.
E-mail: averzello@desnews.com
