Reader comments
Limit gun permits to Utahns only

Chris | 1:58 a.m. June 22, 2008

Maybe we should close all licensing to out of state residents. No more hunting, fishing, drivers or any other manner of certification should be granted to residents? Or is this solely about guns? Is this solely about Utah standing for gun rights and you don't like it?

Do your research. Look around. Perhaps examine Switzerland. A liberal country who believes in gun rights. A country where there is very little crime. Criminals know that the next house they rob may be the next house they die.

We live in a world where Home Depot employee's are fired for thwarting robberies. We live in a Utah where armed retail robberies are rising, daily. Criminals by nature are cowards. If you would like to know how to stop crime, the answer is simple. Arm the citizens. No man will rob others when he knows the majority of those he robs no matter their stature will have the means necessary to thwart that robbery and spill that robbers blood.

I can't believe I am lambasted for calling the Deseret News liberal when you have editorial statements such as these frequenting the pages of this paper.

sane solution | 3:51 a.m. June 22, 2008

Either immediately limit concealed permits to residents, or raise the fees to out-of-staters who do not contribute to our tax base. How hard can that be? Raise the fees significantly, at least five times those for permits to residents.

freedom | 7:01 a.m. June 22, 2008

We could always get rid of the permits and allow people to carry without them as is done in Vermont. Vermont's violent crime rates are far lower than Utah's. That would save the BCI tons of money and time. Of course, that would mean I would have to find another state that issues like Utah presently does and spend my money there to get a permit if I wanted to carry when I travel elsewhere.

Comments continue below

Zac | 7:02 a.m. June 22, 2008

I am glad I just got mine.

Anonymous | 7:18 a.m. June 22, 2008

The Deseret News continues to want to isolate Utah and bury our heads in the sand.

We just need to make sure we are changing the fully price (and perhaps a profit) to out-of-staters.

Us Constitution | 7:34 a.m. June 22, 2008

The right to bear arms is not guaranteed by the laws of Utah, It's guaranteed by the US Constitution. All Us Citizens have the right. Control criminals, not guns.

Geezer | 8:50 a.m. June 22, 2008

Somebody is making money at Utah's expense, and they seem to love by-passing other states' permit programs. A company called "CCW USA" has a website that advertises how they will help you get Utah nonresident permits. Here's a quote from their website:

"Get your Non-Resident, Multi-State CCW Permit Now!
Utah and Florida Multi-State, Non-Resident Concealed Firearm Permits have no State residency requirement and may be obtained by any legal resident of the United States. These are the most valuable Multi-State CCW Permits available, based on recognition from other States and total cost. A Utah Permit is only $65.25 for five years! Your Utah Concealed Firearm Permit is valid in 29 States!"

Paul | 9:04 a.m. June 22, 2008

Sure, allow non-residents to get a Utah permit. Just limit its use to within the State of Utah. That way, if they have a need for a permit while visiting, they can have one. But, outside of Utah, there is no reason for Utah to be deciding whether residents of other States should have a permit or not. That isn't really our business.

But, if it is our business, I guess we might as well make a really big profit out of it. And not interfer with Utahns getting permits.

Well then... | 9:47 a.m. June 22, 2008

Let's us Utahns just up our permit prices and make the out of staters go someplace else to buy their permits.

Lionheart | 10:21 a.m. June 22, 2008

Out-of-staters regularly travel to Utah. My father has a concealed carry permit in his home state. He has a Utah concealed carry permit for his multiple trips to Utah. He doen't want to inadvertently violate any gun laws. Have we had any massacres by concealed carry permit holders? I thought not. This is just about anti-gun propaganda.

Support 2nd Ammendment | 10:39 a.m. June 22, 2008

As a Utah'n I believe Utah should do all it can to help support the 2nd Ammendment. We should help those in other states.

If we do this we are headed in the wrong direction.

Mike Richards | 1:36 p.m. June 22, 2008

Is the problem a mountain or is it a molehill? I'm sorry, but I can't see that it is even a molehill.

Since other States accept the fact that Utah is an agent for them in issuing concealed carry permits, let every one of those States be held responsible to offer proof that their citizens meet the legal requirements to carry a concealed weapon.

How hard would it be to require any non-resident to furnish a letter, with a traceable document number, from his State of residence, that certifies that he/she is eligible to take the class, and that if he/she passes, is qualified to be issued a concealed carry permit?

What would the cost be to Utah if traceable letters were required of non-residents? With today's computers, the cost would be the time that it takes to type in the letter's certification number. So, charge $5 as a handling fee and everyone is satisfied.

Let's save the big discussions for the big problems.

Anonymous | 1:55 p.m. June 22, 2008

You get money for processing out of state applicatons don't you? Take this money and hire more people.

Fair? | 5:16 p.m. June 22, 2008

So the DesNew wants people whose places of residence do not issue permits to have to carry OPENLY if they want a means of self defense? If that's the case, don't freak out because people from out of state are carrying openly as they visit Temple Square, Jazz Games, Gateway, Hogle Zoo, anywhere and everywhere dwon town. Just remember the DesNews asked for it OR would you rather they simply be unprotected (when seconds count, police are only minutes away!)

John | 6:06 p.m. June 22, 2008

For Mike Richards- Out of state applicants don't need "letters". Their background is checked the same as any Utah resident- against all national and state databases of criminal convictions, wants and warrants, mental health commitments, protective orders, dishonorable discharges, etc.

The scrutiny for out of state applicants is the same as Utah residents, and really does not require any more work (in 99% of cases).

This whole thing is an excuse for BCI to raise fees to increase their budget to hire more people and their bosses to get raises. It has nothing to do with public safety.

It also reflects the elite media's ongoing disdain for the entire concept of legally carried self defense weapons. If they cannot eliminate them all, they will be happy if they can at least eliminate those carried by non-resident permit holders.

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