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House Bill 76 Would Allow Utahns to Carry a Concealed Weapon without a Permit

In the future, Utahns may no longer need a permit to carry a concealed weapon.   Republican Representative John Mathis of Vernal has filed legislation that would amend Utah’s gun laws, essentially eliminating the need for a concealed weapons permit. 

Under Utah’s current law, it’s illegal to carry a concealed weapon unless you have a permit. But the legislation filed by Mathis would change that. Under House Bill 76, anyone who is at least 21 years old and owns a gun legally could carry a concealed weapon. Clark Aposhian is the Chairman of the Utah Shooting Sports Council. Even though he teaches permit classes, Aposhian said he will support the bill.

“We find that it’s a very tiny step in legislation, but a huge step in personal rights,” said Aposhian, “We believe that the right to keep and bear arms means just that – the right to bear firearms. A concealed firearm permit goes against the general interpretation of the right to keep and bear arms.”

Those seeking a permit are currently required to undergo basic safety training in Utah.  Under HB 76, no training would be required to carry a concealed weapon.There are five other states which do not require a permit – Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Andrea Smardon is new at KUER, but she has worked in public broadcasting for more than a decade. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and news announcer for WGBH radio. While in Boston, she produced stories for Morning Edition, Marketplace Money, and The World. Her print work was published in The Boston Globe and Boston.com. Prior to that, she worked at Seattleââ
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