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House passes SB11 after heated debate over states’ rights and likely legal challenge
Summary
After a prolonged floor debate over constitutionality and fiscal risk, the Utah House passed Senate Bill 11, the Utah State‑Made Firearms Protection Act, following a motion to reconsider; final passage was 56 yes, 17 no. Supporters framed the measure as a states’ rights assertion; opponents warned it is likely unconstitutional and could require state resources to defend in court.
The Utah House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 11, the Utah State‑Made Firearms Protection Act, after an extended floor debate and a motion to reconsider that returned the bill for final passage.
Representative Sandstrom, the House sponsor, told the chamber the bill "is about states' rights," explaining it would exempt firearms and ammunition manufactured and sold solely within Utah from certain federal regulation. He and other backers said similar measures have been introduced or adopted in other states and described the bill as an effort to reassert state sovereignty over intrastate commerce.
Opponents repeatedly raised constitutional and fiscal objections. Representative Chavez‑Houck said she "rises in…
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