Utahns oppose new gun laws, poll shows

Utah legislators appear to have missed the will of the people on two gun bills that passed this session, giving overwhelming support to both measures while a recent poll of voters shows clear opposition to the changes.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. sided with the Legislature Monday, signing both new statutes into law.

The two bills, HB357 and SB78, make changes to current gun laws to allow loaded firearms to be carried in vehicles without the necessity of a concealed weapons permit, and require businesses to allow loaded firearms in vehicles parked on their property, or, in lieu of that, provide for secure storage of firearms.

Both bills garnered more than 80-percent approval among Utah legislators. When Utah voters were asked to weigh in on the bills, a much different picture emerged.

A Deseret News-KSL TV poll conducted by Dan Jones & Associates on March 17-18 asked 400 voters for their positions on the statute changes.

On the issue of allowing loaded firearms to be carried in vehicles without a concealed weapons permit (HB357), 60 percent of respondents were somewhat or strongly opposed, while 35 percent were somewhat or strongly in favor.

On guns in cars in parking lots (SB78), 54 percent of voters questioned were somewhat or strongly opposed and 40 percent somewhat or strongly in favor. The margin of error was 5 percent.

Gun-control advocate Steven Gunn, vice president of the Gun Violence Prevention Campaign of Utah, said Monday that the chasm that seems to separate legislative and executive support of the new laws, and what voters would like to see happen, isn't a new issue.

"As for the disparity with the public's view on gun control, and the legislative view, this is a phenomenon we've seen for many years," Gunn said. "Legislators' views are colored by their perception that the people who really count ... campaign actively (and) are favorable to lax gun control measures, reflecting that the gun lobby is very strong."

Gunn also said that the strong Republican support of SB78 reflected the willingness of lawmakers to allow gun rights to trump an area traditionally championed by the GOP — property rights.

"Seemingly, Republican legislators are willing to take the sides of gun rights lobbyists against the rights of property owners," Gunn said. "Legislators are saying that gun rights trump property rights."

In a letter sent to Huntsman last week by the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action, director Randy Kozuch said the crux of both bills comes down to individual rights.

"Self-defense is a fundamental right," Kozuch said. "Law-abiding citizens should not be hindered in their ability to provide a means of self-protection. This is especially the case when individuals are in their homes, in or on their own property and in the extended domain of their vehicle (under control or when parked and locked)."

E-MAIL: araymond@desnews.com