The situation:
Ten thousand people assemble for a peaceful demonstration.
One person brings an AR-15-style assault rifle to the rally.
Two other people bring loaded handguns for the purpose of ensuring peace.
What could go wrong?
The incident:
The first man brandishes his rifle in a manner that the peacekeepers see as threatening.
One peacekeeper pulls out his gun and fires in the direction of the rifleman.
A bystander is hit and killed.
The law:
Utah law explicitly permits all of the above actions.
Anyone aged 21 or older is allowed to carry a firearm — open or concealed, loaded or unloaded — as long as they own the weapon legally. No gun training is required.
The state stand-your-ground law permits discharging a firearm in a situation in which a person believes their life or the lives of others are in imminent danger.
The outcome:
The district attorney is having a very difficult time assigning blame, since no law was broken.
The Utah Legislature bears responsibility for the death of Arthur Folasa Ah Loo.
The message:
Gun laws in Utah must change.
Dana Carroll, Salt Lake City
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