Salt Lake County took its first step Monday toward following Salt Lake City, Murray and West Valley City on the road to gun control.
In front of a room filled with gun-rights supporters, a county committee voted 4-3 to send an ordinance to the County Commission, with the recommendation it be made law - perhaps as early as next week.The county's law would go fur-ther than either the highly publicized Salt Lake City ordinance or the proposed federal "Brady bill." If it passes, the ordinance would impose a waiting period of up to five days for anyone of any age purchasing any type of firearm.
The city's waiting period covers people only between the ages of 18 and 24, and the federal law would impose a wait for handgun purchases only.
Opponents of the county law raised several objections Monday:
- They worry the county sheriff or other government officials will keep a record of gun applications - records that some day could be used to confiscate all guns.
- They believe waiting periods do nothing to stem a growing crime rate.
- They worry a waiting period will make it impossible for innocent people to defend themselves against an immediate threat.
The ordinance appears to have the support of two of the three commissioners, with Brent Overson likely to vote against it. Commission Chairman Jim Bradley admitted the law will do nothing to stop gang violence or to curb crime. But he supports it, saying it will allow law-enforcement officials to stop convicted felons from buying guns, and it will place the county in line with the wishes of most residents along the Wasatch Front.
"It takes the felons off the honor system," he said, noting felons who have been released from jail easily can buy guns now despite laws against it. "Three of our other cities have passed this. That's a majority of the people of the valley already. It is, in the public's perception, time to do this."
He said a county poll showed 69 percent of county residents support a waiting period.
Surprisingly, one of those voting against the law was Blaze Wharton, top aide to Commissioner Randy Horiuchi and a Democratic state senator. Wharton said he believes the ordinance will be meaningless, especially in light of the large number of guns already in circulation.