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SALT LAKE CITY — Amid divided and emotional testimony, lawmakers voted to move forward with a bill proposing a provisional concealed carry permit for Utahns ages 18-20.
HB198, sponsored by Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Syracuse, moved through its hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday with a 4-1 vote. The bill already has passed the House and now moves to the full Senate for approval.
Lisonbee said she decided to draft the bill after meeting with a group of college-age women who expressed concerns about rape and sexual violence. She described her measure as one to help prevent sexual violence, particularly among a vulnerable college population where the incidence of rape and sexual assault are high.
"Utah has had a high rate of sexual violence against women for decades, even though we are very much a gun state," said Jean Hill, spokeswoman for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. "We need some real solutions for that problem, not to suggest to women that their only way of protecting themselves is to be prepared to kill somebody else."
Hill was one of several speakers to oppose the law, and her words echoed the sentiment of Senate Assistant Minority Whip Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, who said the measure was not a "silver bullet" solution for sexual violence.
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Bill would lower age for concealed carry permits to 18
A Davis County lawmaker wants to lower the minimum age to obtain a concealed carry permit from 21 to 18.Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, also offered his concern over the responsibility associated with carrying a firearm.
"You better darn well know what you are doing with that gun," Hillyard said.
Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City, defended the bill by saying it would not permit any new people to carry a gun, as open carry is already available to 18-year-olds.
"What this does is means that a young lady does not have to strap a gun in a holster to her hip. She can place it discreetly in her purse so as not to alarm people who are uncomfortable with guns," Thatcher said.
Lisonbee noted that the bill would not allow people to carry concealed weapons on high school campuses.
The bill passed with Escamilla casting the dissenting vote. Email: rmorgan@deseretnews.com
