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Senate approves increased penalties for weapons in secured airport areas
Summary
Senate passed SB233 to make knowingly carrying a dangerous weapon into a secured airport area a Class A misdemeanor with related Class B provisions; debate focused on overlap with federal prosecution and prosecutorial authority at municipal airports.
The Senate on Feb. 24 approved second substitute Senate Bill 233, which creates state-level criminal penalties for knowingly or intentionally possessing a dangerous weapon in secured areas of airports. Sponsor Senator Evans said the change (raising the offense to a Class A misdemeanor in specific circumstances) was requested by Salt Lake City to allow local prosecution options for security violations on city property.
Senators questioned why state law was needed given federal statutes governing weapons at airports and whether state prosecution would duplicate federal enforcement. Senator Evans and supporters said the city sought the authority to prosecute misdemeanors on its property and had coordinated with federal authorities; the floor record included an example of an individual who attempted to reenter the secure area after a screening that identified a weapon.
The clerk reported SB233 passed to the third-reading calendar with a tally of 24 aye, 1 nay, 4 absent.
Next steps: The bill moves to third-reading consideration; sponsors said local prosecutors and federal authorities had coordinated their approach.
