A man carries his weapon during a pro-Second Amendment rally at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on Feb. 8, 2020. (Rick Bowmer/AP Photo)
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Utah Governor Signs Bill Allowing Concealed Carry of Firearm Without Permit. This sure as heck won't be on mainstream Fake News.

By Zachary Stieber
February 14, 2021 Updated: February 14, 2021
biggersmaller
PrintUtah’s governor on Feb. 12 signed a measure into law that allows people in the state to carry a concealed gun without a permit.

“With the passage of this bill, Utah joins 17 other states with some form of permitless concealed carry,” Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican in his first term, said in a statement to news outlets.

“This bill protects Second Amendment rights, reduces permitless open carry (which is already legal), and includes significant funding for suicide prevention.”

House Bill 60, which was sponsored by Republican state Rep. Walt Brooks, a National Rifle Association member, states that an individual who is 21 or older “and may lawfully possess a firearm, may carry a concealed firearm in a public area without a permit.”

Former Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, had vetoed similar legislation several years ago.

According to state data, Utah officials issued over 26,000 concealed carry permits in the 4th quarter of 2020 and renewed another 18,095. As of Dec. 31, 2020, there were 718,218 valid concealed carry permits in the state, including some 290,000 for Utah residents and 427,639 for nonresidents.

Gun rights groups had called for Cox to sign the bill, including the National Association for Gun Rights.

“We’re thankful Rep. Brooks has introduced this legislation and the National Association for Gun Rights field team are working diligently to make sure the legislature promptly passes this bill and puts it on the desk of Governor Cox for him to sign into law.” Dudley Brown, the group’s president, said in an earlier statement.

After the signing, Jason Ouimet, executive director of the National Rifle Association’s lobbying arm, said: “There is no reason a law-abiding person should have to ask for permission to carry a firearm for self-defense, The passage of this bill demonstrates Utah’s commitment to protecting the Second Amendment rights of its citizens. We thank Gov. Cox, Rep. Brooks, and all who supported this important bill.”

Other organizations opposed the bill, including Moms Demand Action.

“Permitless carry legislation strips states of essential permitting and training standards for carrying concealed guns in public. Training is one of the cornerstones of responsible gun ownership, and removing that element is risky,” the group said in a statement after the Utah Senate passed the bill earlier this month.

Republicans hold a so-called trifecta in Utah, enjoying majorities in both state chambers along with having Cox in the governor’s mansion.

The Utah Gun Violence Center said Arizona saw a 44 percent increase in aggravated assaults after the state enacted permitless carry in 2010.

“More loaded and concealed guns mean that every police officer will need to assume a person is carrying a loaded firearm. How do you think that will work out for our black and brown Utah residents?” the group said in a veto message.

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Florida: House Passes Constitutional Carry

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Today, the House voted 76-32 to pass House Bill 543, the constitutional carry bill. It will now go to the Senate for further consideration. Please contact your state senator and ask them to SUPPORT HB 543.



House Bill 543, constitutional carry, strengthens the right to self-defense in Florida by recognizing the right of any law-abiding adult who is at least 21-years-old and legally eligible to obtain a carry permit, to carry a handgun without first having to obtain government permission. This ensures that citizens have their right to self-defense without red tape, delays, or fees. It does not change who is eligible to obtain a carry permit. It also does not affect previously issued permits, and allows citizens who still wish to obtain a permit in order to carry in other states recognizing Florida’s permits, to do so.

Your NRA would like to thank lead sponsor Representative Chuck Brannan for bringing this important legislation and Speaker Paul Renner for his exceptional leadership through the process.

Again, please contact your state senator and ask them to SUPPORT HB 543.



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Don't tell this to CNN and Fake News !

Especially that a large number of people have to defend their own families

due to leftist democrat defunding of Law Enforcement !