MORE GUN FREEDOM FOR UTAH

SALT LAKE CITY —
A Utah lawmaker wants to have all state residents
who can legally have a gun carry and conceal it
without a license.

Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, said he plans to
introduce a bill to eliminate the requirement for a
state concealed weapons license to carry a loaded gun.

People who do not live in Utah would still need
a license issued by Utah or another state.

The measure is being drafted for the legislative
session that begins Jan. 24.

Wimmer said it wouldn't change laws about who
can legally have a gun. Felons, people who have
committed a violent crime and illegal aliens are
now prohibited from carrying a gun.

"If you're a law-abiding, upstanding citizen, you
can protect yourself by carrying a gun without a license," Wimmer said.

Alaska, Arizona and Vermont already have similar laws, he said.
The proposal would not eliminate concealed weapon
licenses because people would still need them to
carry a concealed gun in other states.

Also, Utah allows residents of other states to
apply for the state's concealed weapon license.

Gun Violence Prevention Center board member
Stephen H. Gunn said Utah should be tightening its
licensing process. For example, the state should
require that license holders prove they know how
to shoot a gun.
"We should go the other direction and more
greatly restrict the class of people who can carry
a concealed gun or openly carry a gun," Gunn said.