A new proposal seeks to create an additional criminal offense for an act that is already illegal under existing law. HB 221, sponsored by Representative Colin Jack, would make it a third-degree felony to damage a firearm storage container or firearm safety device during the commission of a burglary. However, burglary and property destruction are already criminal offenses, making this bill redundant and unnecessary.
Under Utah law, damaging private property—whether it’s a firearm safe, a door, or a piece of furniture—is already punishable. There is nothing uniquely significant about a firearm storage device that warrants the creation of a special offense. The bill arbitrarily singles out one category of property for enhanced penalties, despite no compelling evidence that this is needed.
This kind of legislative overreach contributes to unnecessary criminalization and complicates an already bloated legal code. Instead of addressing a real gap in the law, HB 221 merely layers on additional penalties for conduct that is already illegal. This move does not advance public safety—it only expands government power without justification.
A principled approach to criminal justice should focus on enforcing existing laws rather than inventing new ones to target specific objects. HB 221 is an unnecessary expansion of state power and should be opposed.
