In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
UT:Gun Control Bills Are Quickly Quashed in Committee
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Gun Control Bills Are Quickly Quashed in Committee Wednesday, January 16, 2002 BY DAN HARRIE THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Democratic Rep. Scott Daniels fired blanks Tuesday when both of his proposed gun-control bills were killed at their first hearing. The Judiciary Interim Committee overwhelmingly rejected one measure to wipe out the state law reserving all firearms regulation authority to the Legislature, and another to close a loophole in background checks at gun shows. Daniels, D-Salt Lake City, pleaded with members of the interim committee to at least keep his bills alive for debate when the legislative session officially begins Monday. But the pro-gun rights panel sent both proposals back to the House Rules Committee with an unfavorable recommendation -- a move that probably seals their fate for the year. Maura Carabello, director of the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, praised the bill as "very moderate and mainstream because it does affect criminals. . . . As the next step, the next deterrent [to criminals] I would ask that you close this loophole." But Utah Shooting Sports Council Chairman Elwood Powell argued the bill would accomplish nothing because most criminals buy their guns on the black market, not at gun shows. "Many believe this [plan] is a ruse, and is a precursor to a database that will lead to ultimate registration and confiscation of firearms," said Powell. Committee members voted 11-4 to quash the bill. They then quickly dispatched the second bill, aimed at deleting a 7-year-old law giving the Legislature exclusive control over firearms regulation in the state. Sen. Mike Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, adamantly opposed the bill, recalling the lengthy debate in the mid 1990s that led to the current law. He warned of creating a patchwork of laws that would make it impossible for hunters or others to travel from one jurisdiction to another. "This one is cut and dried and it's definitely not a good idea," said Waddoups. Committee members rejected the bill 10-3. http://www.sltrib.com/01162002/utah/167917.htm
Comments