HB260: Constitutional Carry in Utah

This bill was not considered by the legislature.

Libertas Institute supports this bill.

Utah law prohibits a person from having a concealed firearm, imposing a class B misdemeanor as the penalty. Anybody who obtains a concealed firearm permit is exempted from this provision.

Two years ago, a bill passed the legislature unanimously which would also exempt the prohibition from any person 21 years or older “who may lawfully possess a firearm, as long as the firearm is not loaded.” The bill was vetoed by the Governor, and the legislature failed to muster enough interest in holding a veto override session.

Representative Curt Oda has re-introduced the bill. 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.