Utah Legislature: Businesses urged to welcome guns

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House passed a bill that would encourage businesses to allow concealed firearms onto their property.

HB380 would grant businesses immunity if a concealed firearm permit holder fires a gun.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, said the measure is designed to prevent mass shootings, such as the one at Trolley Square in 2007, by encouraging more "law-abiding" gun owners to carry guns into stores and other businesses.

Under the proposal, businesses would not be required to allow guns.

Opponents said the bill would encourage irresponsibility, but Sandstrom said the bill would put the responsibility where it should be — on the individual gun owner.

— Josh Smith