Guv zeros in on concealed gun law
From the Capitol...
The Legislature's Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee is discussing Utah's concealed weapon permit program, which has become popular across the nation because it's cheap ($65.25), easy and you don't have to set foot in Utah or even fire a gun to obtain it.
Behind the scenes, the NRA's Brian Judy, Utah guns rights lobbyist Clark Aposhian met yesterday with Gov. Jon Huntsman and state law enforcement officials for two hours on the concealed carry program. Aposhian says:
He's not very happy with us. .... He was concerned and wanted answers to his question — and that question was why are we issuing permits to out of state residents?Sen. Scott McCoy wants the permits restricted to Utah residents, arguing it's a misuse of state resources to provide a program that benefits to a large degree out-of-state residents.
Department of Public Safety deputy Commissioner Rich Townsend says Utah can't adequately police the program across state lines.
6 Comments:
Why require a permit? How often to permit users actual break the law? Never! A tax/fee on conceal guns users who do not brake the law is a form of theft. Hey GUV - remove the permit and fee altogether. Background checks when purchasing guns are the only legitimate way to protect the public. A concealed permit program is nothing more than a way to collect revenue for law makers to spend on petty projects. Be honest and stop taking money from people who are law abiding citizens.
actually micah, i think the concealed weapon permit program loses money, if i remember right.
I am a firm believer in the Second Amendment; however, I too would prefer that Utah only issue permits to us (residents); if you look at USCCA's website as well as the NRA's, it appears that most states do NOT issue to non-residents. I also believe that we should NOT recognize the permits of any state that doesn't recognize ours. We have a good policy for Utahn's; however, it appears that people from all over are getting Utah permits ... people who have nothing to do with Utah.
Why are they requesting Utah permits? Why can't they get them in their own states? Are Utah concealed carry permit laws so lax that anyone can get one? Sounds like a sweet revenue produced to me with no accountability later.
The out-of-staters who get Utah permits still have to pass background checks, submit fingerprint cards, and have photos on file. They're vetted for safety just as much as residents. Utah does a great service for residents of other states which do not respect the 2nd Amendment. I can understand however, if in a desire to cut costs, they were to restrict Utah permits to Utah residents. Senator David Vitter (yes, the adulterer) has introduced legislation in the Senate today that would create a federal permit reciprocity, which if passed, would reduce the number of Utah permits requested.
I wish there were a Federal permit; actually, I wish there was no permit. The only "law" should be if a convicted felon carries a gun, he is guilty of carrying a gun. Law abiding citizens shouldn't have to do a thing - they shouldn't have to get "permits".
According to today's NRA email, the new sheriff of OC (Cali) is about to start revoking permits. I'd like to know "why"; have these people caused some kind of "problem"? No, in places with "may issue" laws, the only ones who get permits are the buddies of police chiefs, sheriffs, city councilors, mayors, etc. All this does is breed corruption.
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