Panel approves bill allowing guns in hotel r..

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A bill to prohibit hotels or motels from discriminating against gun owners who wish to bring their firearms into their room easily passed through committee Thursday afternoon.

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, said there had been reports from some members of the Utah Shooting Sports Council that they had been refused accommodations at a few sites when they sought to bring their hunting rifles into their rooms.

This marks the third time this bill has been introduced in the Legislature, so far unsuccessfully.

Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, said he was torn by HB223 because he wanted to honor property rights of hotel owners but also wanted to protect Second Amendment rights.

"I do support it," Wimmer said. "Barely."

Rep. David Butterfield, R-Logan, was the lone dissenter on the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee. He said he felt the measure was "an erosion of property rights."

The bill heads to the House floor for consideration.

Panel approves bill allowing guns in hotel rooms