House Bill 237 Would Have Dismantled Utah’s Current Concealed Carry Licensing System
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and a member of the Everytown Survivor Network, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded lawmakers in the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee for rejecting House Bill 237, legislation that would have dismantled Utah’s current concealed carry licensing system and allowed the public carry of hidden, loaded handguns with no permit and no safety training, including by people known to law enforcement to be a threat to public safety.
Thanks to the committee’s vote, Utah’s permitting requirement will stay intact, ensuring that certain core public safety standards are preserved, including requiring applicants to complete safety training and to have undergone a criminal background check before carrying hidden, loaded guns in public, and providing law enforcement the authority to stop people who pose a danger to the community from carrying hidden, loaded guns in Utah communities.
STATEMENT FROM CAROLYN TUFT, A MEMBER OF THE EVERYTOWN SURVIVOR NETWORK WHO WAS SHOT IN THE TROLLEY SQUARE SHOOTING AND WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS SHOT AND KILLED:
“This past weekend, I spent time with my family and friends remembering the life of my daughter Kirsten, who was shot ten years ago at the Trolley Square shooting. Since that time and in my daughter’s memory, I’ve used my voice to fight for common-sense gun safety legislation. Today, I’m proud that our lawmakers rejected House Bill 237 – legislation that would have stripped the core public safety standards contained within Utah’s current permitting system. Our legislators took a stand for public safety and because of their rejection of this dangerous legislation, we’ll all be safer.”
STATEMENT FROM TERRI GILFILLAN, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE UTAH CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Today, our lawmakers listened to the voices of those who elected them into office over the voices of the gun lobby. House Bill 237 was a dangerous policy that would have allowed people to carry hidden, loaded guns in public with no permit or safety training, including people known to law enforcement to be a threat to public safety. We’re proud of our legislators for rejecting this dangerous legislation and keeping our current permitting system intact.”