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House unanimously approves broader weapon‑free schools measure, 72‑0
Summary
House Bill 109, expanding protections around schools (including buses and a 1,000‑foot zone) and covering weapons beyond firearms, passed the Utah House 72‑0 and will be sent to the Senate. Sponsors cited campus safety and a student victim appeared in the chamber.
The Utah House unanimously approved House Bill 109, a school‑safety bill that extends prohibited weapon zones to school property, buses and areas within 1,000 feet of school grounds and addresses weapons beyond firearms. The final recorded vote was 72‑0.
Representative Ray Short, sponsor of the bill, described it as necessary to protect students and staff and quoted national school‑safety statistics. "Our schools need to be safe," he said, adding the bill applies to weapons "anywhere within a thousand feet of schools," including school buses and playing fields.
Representative Jones urged colleagues to support the bill and introduced a survivor of a school shooting, Bill Price, who stood in the chamber as members heard his example of why the measure is needed. Jones said six shots were fired at East High and that the victim’s presence underscored the urgency of stronger penalties and enforcement.
Representative Wyberg asked for and received clarification that the bill's provisions are not limited to firearms; sponsor Short said the bill covers "dangerous weapons of any kind," referencing items already defined in the code such as knives or bats and noting differing penalty schemes for possession versus use.
The House opened, closed and recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the bill (72‑0). The measure will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Next steps: HB109 moves to the Senate for its further consideration.
