Utah moves to drop concealed carry gun permit requirement with House OK of bill [View all]

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/1/26/22250768/state-house-passes-bill-to-drop-concealed-carry-gun-permit-requirement-legislature-second-amendment

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill to drop the permit requirement for Utahns to carry a concealed firearm sailed through the Utah House of Representatives on Tuesday, coasting on a mostly party-line vote.

Rep. Walt Brooks’ HB60 now heads to the Senate for consideration, where the bill is expected to be supported along similar party lines. Gov. Spencer Cox has also indicated he’s supportive of a “constitutional carry” bill, even though former Gov. Gary Herbert vetoed a past attempt.

The House voted 54-19 to approve the bill, but not without first changing it on the House floor to specify that any unused funds from the remaining permit fees be transferred to the state’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health for suicide prevention initiatives and educating the public about safe storage of firearms.

That change was sponsored by Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, and co-sponsored by more than 30 other House lawmakers. Eliason argued that using those leftover funds will help “mitigate” risk of potentially fewer Utahns taking the concealed carry permit class, which includes a video on risks of youth suicide when firearms aren’t stored properly.

(excerpt)



I like this trend.....