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House passes resolution urging enforcement of existing weapons laws after heated debate
Summary
The House approved HJR 7, a joint resolution urging enforcement of existing weapons restrictions rather than new laws; the measure drew sustained floor debate and passed 56–16 after an amendment removing the word “sufficient.”
The Utah House on Feb. 14 approved House Joint Resolution 7 in a spirited floor debate that split the chamber over whether the state should emphasize enforcement of existing weapons laws instead of adopting new restrictions.
Rep. Malloy, sponsor of the resolution, framed HJR 7 as a call to use the enforcement tools already in the Utah Code rather than pursue laws that could "infringe upon our constitutional rights." He told colleagues the resolution lists roughly 21 existing laws and urged attention to root causes of violence rather than new prohibitions.
Opponents said the resolution sends the wrong signal. Rep. King cited the Parkland school shooting and urged lawmakers not to foreclose additional measures; Rep. Stoddard and Rep. Duckworth described domestic violence and other gaps they believe require legislative change. Representative Brooks successfully moved to strike the word "sufficient" from the resolution language; the sponsor accepted the amendment as friendly.
After extended debate and the friendly amendment, the House passed the measure 56–16. The resolution will be forwarded to the Senate for their consideration.
Next steps: the resolution, as amended, signals the House majority's preference for enforcing existing statutes but does not preclude consideration of future bills on weapons policy.
