This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Without expanding background checks to include private sales at gun shows and online, as proposed, even the most heinous criminals in Utah will have easy access to unlimited firearms. Sens. Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch continue to kill any attempt to correct this problem.
The most hardened and experienced criminals use others to purchase weapons for them. Such "straw purchases" would become federal crimes under the proposed tightening of federal laws. Lee vows to filibuster for as long as it takes any attempt to penalize straw purchasers.
Do our senators really reflect the best interests of Utahns? Give them a call:
• Sen. Mike Lee: 202-224-5444.
• Sen. Orrin Hatch: 202-224-5251.
Larry Swanson
Salt Lake City