A bill that would deregulate Utah-made guns cleared the state Senate on Wednesday, with several lawmakers saying the measure puts the federal government on notice to stay out of Utah's business.
Sen. Margaret Dayton's SB11 -- which exempts firearms manufactured and sold in Utah from all federal regulations, including criminal-background checks -- passed 19-10 after several Democrats spoke against it.
"We should be avoiding message bills," said Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, "and this is a message bill." It also is one Romero argues is unconstitutional.
Legislative attorneys have warned that SB11 might not pass constitutional muster. The U.S. Justice Department is suing to invalidate a similar Montana law, arguing the federal government has regulated firearms for 75 years.
"If this is about federalism, I think it's the wrong vehicle," said Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, who also deemed the bill unconstitutional.
Sen. Stephen Urquhart, R-St. George, countered that every bill is a "message" bill. And the message in SB11, he added, is that Utah is "sovereign and we take our sovereignty seriously."
