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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Senate passed a measure Wednesday that would exempt Utah from any federal regulations on firearms manufactured and sold within the state.
Lawmakers approved the measure 19-10. Senate Bill 11 now advances to the House.
The proposal would do away with federal regulations on firearms made and sold in Utah, including criminal background checks and bans on certain types of weapons and ammunition.
Senators who voted against the bill said it's unconstitutional. Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah board member Steve Gunn agrees and said the bill would bring an expensive lawsuit into the middle of the recession.
"It's silly because we're picking a fight that we can't win, and what would be the reason we would want to pick the fight in the first place?" Gunn said.
Sen. Margaret Dayton, an Orem Republican, is the bill's sponsor.
Similar bills have passed in Tennessee and Montana, with 20 other states looking to do the same.
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Story compiled with contributions from Sheryl Worsley and The Associated Press.
