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The Utah Legislature passed a bill in 2013 which would have allowed people age 21 and over to conceal carry an unloaded firearm (one without a round in the chamber) without needing a permit. The bill was vetoed by Governor Herbert, and legislators failed to muster enough interest in holding a veto override session.
In subsequent years there were three bills introduced to try again, but these bills never obtained a vote since Herbert indicated he would veto them again. The last attempt was in 2017.
One of the legislators to vote for the 2013 bill was then-Representative Spencer Cox. Now Governor, he said during his campaign that he “will sign constitutional carry into law,” noting that he and his Lt. Governor candidate, former Senator Deidre Henderson, both voted for this bill.
It’s no surprise, then, that House Bill 60 has been introduced. Sponsored by Representative Walt Brooks, the bill exempts lawful firearm owners age 21 and up from having to obtain a permit in order to conceal carry their firearm in public.
While we would favor reducing the age to 18—that of a legal adult—this bill is an important protection of the right to keep and bear arms; the government’s permission should not be needed to exercise a fundamental right.
