Legislature · · 3 min read

Day 3: Lawmakers consider further loosening Utah's gun laws

Day 3: Lawmakers consider further loosening Utah's gun laws

Eighteen-year-olds in Utah could soon be allowed to carry loaded rifles and shotguns in public places under a sweeping new gun rights bill set to be heard Friday. The legislation, proposed by House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee, R-Syracuse, is on Friday's House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee agenda.

Currently, Utah law allows people over 21 to carry a loaded pistol, either hidden or in the open, in public without a permit. Other types of guns, like rifles and shotguns, can be carried in the open without a permit if they are not loaded.

HB133 makes it legal for anyone over 18 to carry loaded weapons of any type in most public places. It would still be illegal to carry weapons in private schools, daycares, airports and churches.

Lisonbee is responsible for several recent bills to dramatically expand gun rights in the state.

Read next