Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Gun Policy Preemption topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Utah House debates private-property language in state preemption gun bill
Summary
The House debated amendments to Senate Bill 48, which would make gun policy statewide; Representative Cheryl Allen sought to reinstate language protecting private-property restrictions, but her amendment failed and the House proceeded toward a vote on the preemption measure.
The Utah House of Representatives debated Amendment No. 3 to Senate Bill 48 on the House floor, a contentious change that would have reinstated Senate language clarifying private-property restrictions on firearms.
Representative Cheryl Allen moved the amendment, saying the language in lines 57a–57d ‘‘is more precise and clear’’ and would preserve the ability of property owners and businesses to restrict the carrying of weapons on their premises. Allen said the change ‘‘protects our property rights’’ and cited recent local debates over restrictions on private property near the Capitol.
Opponents argued the bill’s central purpose is to make clear who — state government rather than local governments or institutions — sets gun policy. Representative Philpott offered a substitute motion to strike lines 57c and 57d, arguing the legislature should not convert the debate into a broader private-property-rights bill. Representative Urquhart and others said the bill aims for uniformity across jurisdictions and cautioned against adding new private-property language.
The substitute motion to remove 57c and 57d was put to a voice vote and failed. Representative Allen’s original amendment was then voted on and also failed. Representative Urquhart summarized the bill as ‘‘just stat[ing] who sets gun policy’’ and urged support for the preemption approach.
The clerk opened voting on Senate Bill 48 later in the session; the transcript excerpt provided does not include the roll-call tally or final recorded outcome for the bill in this excerpt.
What happens next: Floor action moved on after voting was opened; any subsequent roll-call or engrossing actions for SB 48 are not recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.
