From Deseret News archives:

House permits open carry of loaded guns

Published: Tuesday, March 4, 2008 12:38 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
The House passed a bill Monday allowing a person with a valid concealed weapons permit to openly carry a loaded gun in some public places.

The measure, HB473, was amended, however, to forbid a person from openly carrying a loaded gun on school campuses. Legislators declined to support a second amendment requiring a concealed weapon to be concealed in all places, saying it was an affront on the Second Amendment.

"We're talking about the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and this is a direct attempt to bring gun controls to the state of Utah," Rep. Kenneth Sumsion, R-American Fork said in response to the failed amendment. "This is a slippery slope for all of us in this body. If we give an inch, the people who would take away our rights would take a mile."

Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City, said he worried that clarifying the law to allow a person with a concealed weapons permit to openly carry their loaded gun would be a safety hazard and a source of fear to the public.

At present, it is illegal for most people to openly carry their gun on a school campus. Concealed weapons are legal, however.

Members of the House passed the bill 60-11. It now moves to the Senate for debate.

Recent comments

Utah's constitution is very clear- I have the individual right to...

gunney1976 | June 26, 2008 at 6:51 p.m.

On a related note, SB157 Rights of Citizens to Carry Firearms in...

MagnaMom7 | March 5, 2008 at 9:01 p.m.

The amendment prohibiting open carry on college campuses but allowing...

Tumbleweed Tom | March 4, 2008 at 10:44 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Away in a manger

There was absolutely nothing in the article or the comments that said...

Utahns in House oppose reform bill

of doing anything about healthcare now or in the future. Their plan, offered...

Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings

I thought the only #1 seeds to ever lose in the first round were Seattle in...

Condemnation of capitalism is wrong

Michael Moore is a private citizen. He's entitled to make any movie he...

Away in a manger

and The Friends of the Creche. I recently met Holly while on a flight coming...

Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings

1. Trade Boozer! 2. Trade Okur 3. Start Millsap 4. Give Fesenko a shot. ...

While I have not played organized soccer, I have played basketball....

Demos' losses could rise

Was Republicans being elected as Mayor or members of City Councils across the...

With this team/group of hacks, I hope we keep losing. Maybe then we luck out...

Bill, if I were you I would be careful who I call a half wit. UH?

Advertisements
Advertisement