Utah bill would allow white-collar felons to keep guns

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Utahns convicted of certain white-collar felonies would be able to have their gun rights restored under a bill passed unanimously Friday by the Utah House.

"I know some people who haven't been able to go hunting with their families for 15 to 20 years because of" a felony conviction, said Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, the sponsor of HB75. "This will help them regain some normalcy."

The bill would allow people convicted of "antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, restraint of trade, or other similar offenses," not including theft or fraud, to retain their ability to own firearms.

The same would apply to a conviction that has been expunged or reduced to a misdemeanor.

Oda said neighboring states already have similar laws. He said in the future he would be open to expanding the crimes covered by the bill.

The measure now goes to the Senate.

Robert Gehrke