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SALT LAKE CITY — The phones at the governor's office were ringing off the hook Monday as strong feelings surrounding a bill dealing with gun ownership rights came to the surface.
HB76 — also known as the constitutional carry bill — would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert hasn't decided whether the bill will become a law or not, and thousands are putting on the pressure to accept or reject the amendments.
The governor has 20 days to make a decision.
We're moving backwards because we're taking away some of the responsibility.
–Steven Beckstead, firearms instructor
Currently, a gun can legally be carried in the open without a permit as long as it's not loaded. But the bill would allow gun owners to bypass the permit process for concealed carry.
Over the last few weeks, feedback has varied on the bill. A month ago, the governor's office received calls and emails showing overwhelming support for HB76. A week later, that tune changed.
Once the bill passed the Legislature, the voices against it increased in volume. As of last week, those calling for a veto tripled the number of people in support of the bill becoming the law.
Utah Shooting Sports Council's Bill Pedersen said he's among those strongly in favor of the bill.
It doesn't allow a person to bypass background checks on buying a gun. It doesn't allow for them to illegally possess a gun.
–Bill Pedersen, Utah Shooting Sports Council
"It doesn't allow a person to bypass background checks on buying a gun. It doesn't allow for them to illegally possess a gun," he said. "This bill is just a small step toward a constitutional carry bill."
Firearms instructor Steven Beckstead is another strong supporter of the second amendment, but said he opposes the bill. He said current Utah law is working just fine.
"I think that's where I have some difficulty with HB76," he said. "We're moving backwards because we're taking away some of the responsibility."
Gov. Herbert has stated in the past that he was well aware of the strong feelings on both sides of the issue, but wouldn't hint at what he plans to do.
