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Senate restores prior firearm-possession language for certain nonimmigrant visa holders
Summary
House Bill 1,002 passed to correct earlier language that inadvertently barred some nonimmigrant visa holders (such as students and certain work-visa holders) from possessing firearms; the amendments restore prior state language while requiring compliance with federal law.
The Utah Senate on May 17 passed House Bill 1,002 to correct firearm-possession language that, sponsors said, unintentionally restricted certain nonimmigrant visa holders.
Senator Weiler said the original school-safety provision went "much further than the house sponsor intended" and that HB 1002 moves weapon-possession language back to its prior form. He said the change allows students on student visas and professionals on work visas to possess firearms so long as they comply with federal law. "They will be able to possess a firearm as long as they're in compliance with federal law," the senator said.
The Senate passed the bill under suspension of the rules by a roll call vote the chamber recorded as 24 "yay," 0 "nay," with five absent. The measure will be signed by the President and returned to the House.
Why it matters: Sponsors described the amendment as a corrective measure to align state practice with federal restrictions and to avoid unintended prohibitions on visa holders who are otherwise lawfully present and compliant with federal requirements.
Next steps: The bill returns to the House for final signature.
