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House passes bill clarifying firearms rules, expands some open-carry allowances for 18–21-year-olds
Summary
The Utah House passed House Bill 133, a firearms recodification and clarification bill that includes technical revisions, tenant protections for lawful firearm possession, and provisions affecting 18-to-21-year-olds' ability to carry in some public settings. The bill passed 56–13 and will be sent to the Senate.
House Bill 133, titled Dangerous Weapons Amendments, passed the Utah House of Representatives on a 56–13 vote Tuesday, advancing to the Senate for consideration.
The bill, sponsored in the House by Representative Karianne Lisonbee, is framed by its sponsor as largely a technical recodification and clarification of existing firearms code with a few substantive policy adjustments. Lisonbee said the measure “keeps to the original intent of the code” while addressing places where the text was “extremely unclear or inconsistent.”
The bill clarifies multiple provisions of state law. Under current practice, people 21 and older can openly carry firearms in many places; HB 133 makes explicit how the code applies to 18- to 21-year-olds, who already have been allowed to open carry loaded firearms in vehicles. Under the bill, Lisonbee said, 18- to 21-year-olds “would be able to open carry in places where permitless carry is legal.” The bill also clarifies two existing provisions that prevent landlords from restricting lawful firearm possession in a tenant’s residence.
On criminal-liability questions, the sponsor said the bill narrows an enforcement focus toward circumstances such as a stolen vehicle where a firearm is readily accessible for immediate use. “The bill clarifies that adults 18 years old and older are criminally liable for having a firearm in a vehicle if they are in the vehicle unlawfully, such as a stolen vehicle, and the firearm is readily accessible for immediate use,” Lisonbee said.
Opponents and some colleagues expressed concern about policy changes affecting younger adults. Representative Bennion noted public support for universal background checks and asked why such checks were not included; Lisonbee replied that attempts to pass universal background checks had failed previously and that HB 133 was intended to align statutory language with current intent. Representative Doug Owens questioned expanding open-carry allowances for 18- to 21-year-olds and cited statistics about youth involvement in violent incidents as a reason for caution.
In closing remarks, Lisonbee said a “vote against this bill is not a vote to prevent 18 to 21 year olds from carrying in Utah” and described the measure as clarifying rights and code language so Utahns can “read the code and understand what they can and cannot do.”
The final tally recorded by the clerk was 56 yes, 13 no. The House clerk announced that the bill will be transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.
Votes and next steps: HB 133 passed the House 56–13 and will be sent to the Senate.
