(Utah State Capitol. Credit: Paul Nelson, file)
SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox signed HB60, dropping the requirement for Utahns to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon so long as it’s lawfully possessed. The bill easily passed through the Utah State Legislature, with the governor signing it into law Friday.
The bill will allow any Utahn who is over 21 years old and who can legally own a firearm to carry the concealed weapon in public, even without a permit. It doesn’t remove the conceal carry program, however, as some gun owners will need a permit if they travel to other states that still require the permit.
The legislation also provides that any unused funds from the program will be allocated to the Concealed Weapons Account will be transferred to the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
It also creates the Suicide Prevention and Education Fund which allocates money toward suicide prevention efforts, specifically focusing on firearm safety.
This comes as opponents of the bill argued safety and suicide training should still be mandatory for those who purchase guns. However, bill sponsor Rep. Walt Brooks, R-St. George, countered that other states without permit requirements do not report increased suicide or violent crimes from guns.
The legislation will go into effect May 5.
This story is developing and will be updated.