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SALT LAKE CITY -- State lawmakers have passed a bill in the House aimed at encouraging private property owners to allow people with concealed carry permits to enter their property.
Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, told the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee he's heard from business owners who want to allow concealed carry permit holders on their property, but they don't want to be responsible if that gun is fired.
Sandstrom says House Bill 380 makes the gun owner the liable one.
"If a private property owner allows somebody to come onto their property with a concealed weapon with them, [the property owner] cannot be held civilly or criminally liable for the actions of that permit holder," said Sandstrom.
The bill would not require property owners to allow concealed carry permit holders to bring a gun onto their property.
The representative told the committee having concealed carry permit holders in a business could help prevent a mass shooting. He then pointed out that the Trolley Square shooter was slowed by a person carrying a concealed weapon.
Still, Gun Violence Prevention Center board member Steve Gunn says increasing the number of fire arms can increase the danger.
"I think that a firearm can act as an accellerant in a situation where there's confrontation between people," Gunn says.
He also sees the HB 380 as a way to encourage open-carry, and that people should be able to go after a business that creates an environment allowing anyone to walk around with a gun strapped to the hip.
HB 380 passed the House and now goes to the Senate.
Story compiled with contributions from Randall Jeppesen and Sheryl Worsley.
