Lawmakers are debating changes to state law regarding the use of deadly force by gun owners.

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, is sponsoring HB78, which would allow a person to use force or "the threat of force necessary to defend a person" against the threat of harm and "when a person may threaten or display a dangerous weapon in self defense," according to the bill's language.

"This would actually de-escalate a situation," Sandstrom said in a committee hearing Wednesday. "If you are, by law, allowed to point a gun at someone, that would escalate the situation, but if you're just able to display it, it wouldn't escalate it."

The bill, which originally intended to protect the brandishing of a "dangerous weapon," was substituted when presented to the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee to include the language regarding self-defense. The substitute bill was adopted by a 6-1 vote.

The committee delayed voting the bill up or down, leaving it subject to further debate or amendment.