This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Posted: 11:39 AM-
Lawmakers have begun grappling with background check delays caused by Utah's hugely popular concealed-weapons program.
Rep. Curt Oda, R-Roy, is calling for the fees collected for concealed gun permits to go directly to the Bureau of Criminal Identification, rather than to the general fund. Oda called the present system a "hidden tax increase." The interim Law Enforcement Committee approved the measure today and moved it forward for consideration in January's session.
Though business is booming for BCI because Utah's concealed-carry permit has become popular nationwide, only a fraction of the fees collected, $650,000 this year, are return to pay for administration.
The bureau projects the number of concealed weapon applicants will break a record 16,000 by the end of this year - 60 percent will go to out-of-state residents.
As a result, BCI has been forced to divert resources from other programs, including background checks on teachers and health care providers.
If Oda's bill passes, BCI would increase staff for firearms permits, accelerating other background checks, including those for teachers.