Rep. Walt Brooks, with hefty legislative support, is trying to do away with the need for a concealed firearm permit in Utah. Currently, to obtain a concealed firearm permit you are required to take a gun education class covering such things as the safe handling and storage of firearms, the appropriate use of lethal force and suicide prevention education. You must also be fingerprinted and go through a criminal background check. More than 2,000 people a year are rejected after failing a permit background check. Having a Utah concealed firearm permit also allows you to legally carry your firearm in more than 30 states, and this requirement would not change.
Proponents argue that the good people of Utah would voluntarily sign up for gun education classes and that maybe we should offer them in schools. Really! Along with active shooter drills? This is not the year to change any gun laws that are working. Lives are stressed by the pandemic, and Utah already has a high gun suicide rate.
I have a Utah concealed forearm permit and am on the side of a public policy poll that says 76% of gun owners oppose this bill. Tell legislators and the governor “no” to House Bill 60.
Claudia Fruin
Salt Lake City