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The House voted Tuesday to make carrying a concealed dangerous weapon on a train or bus — without a concealed-firearms permit — a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
It passed HB350 on a 72-0 vote, and now goes to the Senate.
Rep. Norman Thurston, R-Provo, its sponsor, had earlier talked about removing any criminal penalties for carrying weapons on transit — as long as they are not used in a threatening manner. He said such carrying is legal on the street, so it should also be legal on public transit.
His bill has been changed to simply reduce the current third-degree felony for a violation to a misdemeanor.
Activity that was illegal before "is still illegal. We just wouldn't be charging anyone with a felony for it," he said.
The ban in current law against concealed weapons on transit does not apply to a concealed-carry permit holder, a police officer, prosecutor or judge, or a person who has permission of the bus owner or the owner's agent.
Thurston said people who carry knives without realizing it or innocently cover a firearm could be considered offenders under the law. Open carrying of a firearm is legal in Utah. He said charging them with a felony is too big of a penalty for that.
— Lee Davidson