Photo: Luevanos Getty Images/iStockphoto
SALT LAKE CITY — In just two months, Utah residents who carry a concealed weapon may do so without a permit. But what does that really mean?
Rep. Cory Maloy, R-Lehi, the sponsor of the new law approved by the legislature this winter, joined KSL NewsRadio’s Live Mic with Lee Lonsberry to look at what happens next.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed it into law last month. The law goes into effect May 5.
The bill, HB60, provides that an individual who is 21 years old or older and who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm in a public area without a permit.
“Has the legislative session this year been been a net positive or net negative for firearms enthusiasts?” Lee asked.
“Well, I would have to say a net positive because the king of fire bills [HB60] went through. The governor’s already signed it. That was constitution carry, and that’s a great, great new law,” Maloy said.
As of the end of December 2020, valid Utah concealed firearms permits numbered 718,218. About 60% of them are held by non-Utah residents, according to the state Bureau of Criminal Information, which manages the program, as the Deseret News reported.
Although a criminal background check must be conducted for potential gun owners to buy a firearm in Utah, scrapping the need for a concealed carry permit also ends a second background check requirement to get the license.
Lee asked Maloy about a bill of his own, HB76, which clarifies that the Utah Legislature has preempted the field of firearm regulation for the state. It also provides that Utah will not enforce certain federal firearm regulations.
“You mentioned your own piece of legislation which has to do with primacy and premium preemption. . . . What does it do please?” Lee asked.
“Our political subdivisions or cities or counties or municipalities cannot create ordinances or laws that are more restrictive than state laws that relate to firearms.
“And then what it also does this year is it basically takes a stand against new federal firearm laws that may come down the pike,” Maloy said. “Basically, it says that the state of Utah and its agencies cannot enforce new firearm laws that come in from the federal government that are more restrictive than what we have set in here in Utah.”
Utah drops concealed carry requirement: Will it be status quo or the Wild West?
Live Mic with Lee Lonsberry can be heard weekdays from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app.