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Senate advances weapons-transport bill permitting certain carried firearms while hunting
Summary
Senate supporters advanced Senate Bill 18, which clarifies transportation and concealed-carry definitions for firearms and allows firearms used lawfully for hunting to be carried if the barrel is at least 4 inches; the measure passed third reading 27-0 with two absent.
The Utah Senate on Jan. 24 advanced a measure to clarify how firearms are transported and what counts as concealed carry during lawful hunting, adopting committee recommendations and passing the bill to the third-reading calendar.
Sponsor Senator Alaric Marin told colleagues SB 18 grew from last year's weapons task force and focuses on transportation, definitions and concealed firearms. He said the bill would allow carrying a firearm used for taking game while hunting if the barrel length is at least 4 inches, and it clarifies what constitutes a totally enclosed case versus a holster.
Senators asked for and received clarifications about the standard for an enclosed case and other definitions in the bill. Senator Montgomery raised a proposed insertion of the phrase "legally possessed" to avoid conflict with federal law definitions for sawed-off shotguns/rifles; after discussion Montgomery withdrew the motion and the sponsor advised the change was unnecessary.
A senator raised a constituent concern that the Department of Public Safety currently requires a showing that a permit applicant—s life is in danger to obtain a concealed-carry permit; Marin confirmed SB 18 does not address the "cause" standard for issuance of permits and that a separate House bill would address that issue.
On third reading, the clerk announced Senate Bill 18 had 27 ayes, no nays and two absent; it was moved to the bottom of the third-reading calendar.
