Utah has a growing gun problem. In 2020 we experienced 62 gun homicides; in 2021 it could well be more. On a recent weekend there were three in Salt Lake City and Sandy alone.
In fact, the state of Utah has more shootings and more gun homicides than most of the world’s industrialized nations.
The problem has been growing for decades with no solution in sight. Until now.
Thanks to the new, conservative U.S. Supreme Court, a solution is in sight!
Less than four months ago, the state of Texas enacted a new law banning all abortions and giving private citizens the power to enforce it (for a $10,000 bounty!). Such vigilantism is patently unconstitutional and was obviously conjured up to evade the 1973 US Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade.
But when the new Trumpist Supreme Court ruled on the scheme, instead of striking it down or even putting a stay on it, they gave Texas vigilantes the green light!
Sometimes even the darkest cloud can have a silver lining, however; and this could be just such a case. California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom has now called for a similar approach, not to abortion but to that state’s epidemic of gun violence. As in Texas, his proposal would allow ordinary citizens to act as vigilantes against any seller or buyer of assault weapons, “ghost” gun kits, and other restricted guns.
I propose that we citizens petition the Utah State Legislature to follow California’s example and enact such a law here in Utah. It would not only mitigate our gun-violence epidemic but put some nice bounty money in some law-abiding citizens’ pockets — and maybe a kickback for supportive legislators! A win all around!
Tom Huckin, Salt Lake City
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