Gun Law Relaxation Proposed (UTAH)

Josey1

Gun Law Relaxation Proposed Wednesday, January 23, 2002 BY DAN HARRIE THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Utah lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it easier to obtain a concealed weapons permit by eliminating a safety course now required by law. "I don't know that we need to worry about the class," said Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City. "It doesn't serve that strong of a purpose." Jenkins' bill, Senate Bill 121, was released from the Rules Committee on Tuesday and almost immediately scheduled for a hearing Thursday before the Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee. The Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah strongly opposes the measure. "To have no screening process is just irresponsible. It has nothing to do with rights," said the center's Maura Carabello. The 41,000 Utahns who have concealed-carry permits all have completed a gun-safety course or have military or law-enforcement experience. But the quality of the classes, conducted by private instructors, is wildly inconsistent, according to a 1999 investigation by The Salt Lake Tribune and a 2001 review by Legislative Auditor General Wayne Welsh. Some instructors require time on the shooting range as well as lengthy classroom review of gun laws and safety rules. Others meet minimum requirements of the law by having students show how to load and unload, but not fire, a handgun. And some do not comply with the law, conducting classes that include no weapons handling. Jenkins says it is time to do away with the course requirement. Instead, he advocates relying on the required criminal background check and on character recommendations in granting concealed-carry permits. "If there was hard data out there that showed this was a problem I probably would go the other way" and require shooting proficiency to obtain a permit, Jenkins said. "But I personally don't feel threatened by someone who has a concealed-carry permit who doesn't go through the class." Rep. Scott Daniels, D-Salt Lake City, saw two of his bills tightening state gun laws quickly killed by the Republican majority. He says the sudden emergence of this bill relaxing concealed-carry is frustrating, but not surprising. "It's going in the wrong direction," said Daniels. "It's a good system [now in place]. It works. There's no reason to dismantle it now." _________ Tribune reporter Greg Burton contributed to this story. http://www.sltrib.com/01232002/utah/169967.htm

pikeal1

In my opinion, some instruction is better than no instruction. I got my applicatin for my CCW, and it was very informal, and I learned a few things. I really don't think its a good idea to just hand them out, with out some sort of instruction. Last thing we need is people walking around without a clue of how to use a firarm...God forbid something goes wrong, who do you think will catch all the heat. The grabbers would have a field day with something like that.

Gordian Blade

"And some do not comply with the law, conducting classes that include no weapons handling."Conversely, in NY State, putting any weapons handling in the basic pistol safety course required for a permit application is a violation of the law. Go figure!

Matt45

Gun relaxation?Is that some kinda spendy resort where they get to soak in hot 10 weight oil????

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Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!

reb8600

I think they need to keep the class and make it a law that you have to shoot in order to get signed off.When I took mine there was a lady in there that tried to put the shells in the mag backwards, then didnt know how to put the mag in or even work the gun. The instructor signed her off. Its enough to make you nervous knowing there are people like this carrying a gun.

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Guncontrol-The ability to hit what your aiming at.

Otoman

When my wife wanted her own gun I sujested she take the Basic NRA Safety Course. I went with her and we both learned from it. I have been through the Hunters Safety Course 4 times we never get to old to learn.