This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Gov. Gary Herbert should veto HB76, which would allow people to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
The requirement to hold a concealed weapon permit in order to carry a gun keeps our public spaces just a little safer. The claim that more lives would be saved if everyone carried concealed weapons is deeply flawed.
In any sort of disaster or tragedy, a large number of heavily armed citizens would only increase the chaos and mayhem. Law enforcement and armed citizens would have a difficult time assessing who are the "bad guys."
Also, out-of-state applicants for a Utah concealed weapons permit exceed in-state applicants. They generate income to the state, since our loose laws, easy requirements and low fee are attractive to citizens in neighboring states.
We should raise the fee for out-of-state applicants and use the revenue to help pay for more effective concealed weapons classes and training. If nothing else, at least use the money to buy the best bullet proof vests for our law enforcement officers, who bear the brunt of our heavily armed society.
Martha Jaye Rieser
Salt Lake City