Representative Karianne Lisonbee (R-Davis County) has pending legislation in the Utah Legislature that would allow unsupervised 18-year olds to openly carry loaded weapons in public spaces. Some will surely argue this makes sense because “the military does it.” This is not true.
18-year-old servicemembers are not allowed to run around unsupervised with loaded weapons, even in combat zones, because it’s simply not safe for them or their battle buddies. We follow strict rules to keep us all safe — from the enemy and each other — especially at home. In combat and in training, professional soldiers always operate together in organized units with professional leadership, never alone. Even snipers have spotters.
Our fellow Americans are not hostile enemy forces, and Utah is not a combat zone. Continued loosening of reasonable firearms regulations is undoubtedly tied to increases in road rage incidents, stubbornly high domestic violence murders and unusually high suicide rates here in Utah, though.
Further weakening constitutional firearms regulations invites disaster — more deaths that are entirely preventable. Teenagers cosplaying as “soldier” or vigilante “police” should not be empowered to act recklessly. Call on your representatives to stop this madness. Now.
Deborah Gatrell is a veteran with more than 25 years of military service.
West Valley City