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House passes bill tightening domestic-violence firearms rules while easing some carry restrictions
Summary
HB237 requires protective orders as a condition of probation, increases penalties when a firearm is present and directs BCI to notify local law enforcement of restricted-person purchase attempts; it also relaxes criminal penalties for certain covered carry behavior. The House passed the bill 55–20.
Representative Perry, the sponsor of HB237, told the House the bill makes four main changes: (1) require courts to impose a protective order on domestic-violence perpetrators as a condition of probation or plea within 72 hours; (2) align certain domestic-violence standards with federal definitions already passed by the legislature; (3) require the Bureau of Criminal Identification to inform local law enforcement if a restricted person attempts to buy a firearm; and (4) allow law-abiding adults over 21 who can lawfully carry openly to cover a firearm (conceal it) without creating a new criminal offense when a concealed-carry permit is not held.
Perry framed the measure as aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of people who should not have them while not criminalizing law-abiding citizens for covering a firearm. "All we're saying is, these are the same people. Nothing has changed other they have simply put a coat over it... That is all that changes, and these people should not be charged with a crime," the sponsor said. He also cited national statistics, saying "the CDC statistics prove... there is no increase of firearm related deaths," a claim he used to argue the policy would not increase deaths.
Opponents, including Representative Hollins, said the bill would allow people who have never taken handgun safety courses to legally carry concealed, loaded handguns on city streets. "People who have never handled a gun before will be able to legally carry hidden loaded handguns on our city streets," Hollins said, urging opposition. Members questioned how this would affect permit issuance, training and interstate reciprocity; the sponsor said Utah has reciprocity with roughly 34 states and that incentives in the bill would be post-performance rather than upfront.
The House voted on HB237; the clerk reported 55 yes votes and 20 no votes. The bill passed and will be transmitted to the Senate.
