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Committee clarifies school weapons law with HB 128, committee gives favorable recommendation
Summary
The committee unanimously passed HB 128, which clarifies existing law so prosecutors can pursue juveniles who bring firearms to school. Prosecutors said the bill resolves confusion about charging authority.
House Bill 128, titled Dangerous Weapon at School Amendments, received a favorable recommendation from the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee after a brief presentation and limited comment.
Representative Glenn, who presented the bill, said the measure “doesn't do anything but make some clarification” and is intended to close a potential loophole that prosecutors identified concerning juvenile possession of firearms at school.
Christopher Ballard, an attorney with the Utah County Attorney's Office appearing on behalf of the Statewide Association of Prosecutors, told the committee the association supports the bill. “We can confirm that there has been confusion among prosecutors about being able to prosecute a juvenile that brings a firearm to school,” Ballard said, and the association “welcome[d] this clarification.”
Representative Shepherd moved to pass the bill out favorably; the committee approved the motion by voice vote. No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the committee transcript.
The bill’s core effect on the statute is to remove ambiguity about prosecutorial authority; the transcript does not include precise statutory language or any appropriation tied to the bill.
