The Arguments In Support of the Veto of HB 76
I’m getting a lot of emails in support of Gov. Herbert’s veto of the open carry gun bill, HB 76. Here is what they are saying:
1. It was an ill-conceived bill that will jeopardize the safety of the average Utah citizen by removing the requirement that individuals wishing to carry a concealed gun go through a background check and get some training.
2. Utah’s classification of an unloaded weapon would make it possible for anyone to carry a weapon with rounds in the firearm without any training on safety or laws. Training of concealed gun carriers is very important and should not be eliminated. Citizens should know the laws concerning firearm safety and the laws concerning citizens justifiable use of a firearm.
3. Requiring a concealed weapon permit does not violate Second Amendment rights, and they are very easy to obtain. But not requiring any sort of background check or training does not make sense.
4. The majority of American are in favor of common-sense gun regulation such as concealed weapon permitting.
5. The current law is good and meets the needs of the people in Utah. Utah already has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country.
6. The text of HB 76 changes Utah law by limiting the applicability of Utah Code 76-10-504 (titled “Carrying concealed dangerous weapon – Penalties”) by saying 76-10-504(1) does not apply to those over 21 who may lawfully possess a firearm, as long as the firearm is not loaded. That Is a significant and unwarranted change to Utah’s concealed carry laws.
senatedist23 
2013 HB 268 Disorderly Conduct Amendments, would have made it so the person with the 223 rifle strapped to their back at JC Penney might get in trouble with the law, but that same bill was going to make sure his Glock strapped to his waist is perfectly fine, as long as he isn’t doing something scary with it. Without the CFP the gun can’t have a bullet in the chamber, but that doesn’t take too long to load in most cases.
Since 2013 HB 268 didn’t pass the Senate, 2013 HB 76 is premature to even be considered. If you can’t fix the problem covered with HB 268, why are we even talking HB 76?
Utah Constitution Article I, Section 6. [Right to bear arms.]
“The individual right of the people to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the state, as well as for other lawful purposes shall not be infringed; but nothing herein shall prevent the Legislature from defining the lawful use of arms. “
The problem is that none of the people commenting truly understand the Law as it is currently on the books. Anyone can already carry a weapon (un-loaded) without any training, licencing. HB 76 has absolutely NOTHING to do with background checks, though many people bring them up. I often open carry (un-loaded) when I go into the outdoors, and as an outdoors man the ability to cover my firearm (still un-loaded) with my coat or put it in my pack would be of great benefit. Rather than always having to make sure it is open and visible.