SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill that prohibits the sharing of concealed firearm permit information with the federal government and makes disclosing the information a third-degree felony.
"We're not telling the federal government what to do," HB317 sponsor Rep. Jacob Anderegg, R-Orem, said. "We're just saying we're going to protect our citizens' information."
Anderegg said the bill does not inhibit the criminal background check process or interfere with the ability of law enforcement officers to do their job.
Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, moved to amend the bill to expand its protection to local and state government employees from having to divulge if they are a concealed permit holder.
"This helps us to protect ourselves from criminals who want to harm us and people who might want to inhibit our rights to possess and carry arms," Anderegg said.
The bill passed as amended with a 62-9 vote and will now go to the Senate.
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