Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, seems to have a one-track mind ("Utah bill would allow white-collar felons to keep guns," Tribune, Feb. 7). He is sponsoring HB75 in an attempt to allow those convicted of white-collar crimes such as fraud to own (and, I assume, carry) guns.
Why only white-collar felons? Should a person who bilks others out of millions have more "rights" than a person who breaks into a warehouse one night and steals a few thousand dollars worth of merchandise? (Remember, we're talking about "rights," not danger to society.)
With the magnitude of other pressing and more important issues facing our state, why do our legislators consider this kind of idiocy? Last year it was Rep. John Mathis, R-Vernal, with his bill to allow concealed carry without a permit, which was sensibly vetoed by the governor.
Why not legalize dueling, as it seems to be the only "sacred right" not granted by our current gun laws. Better still, why not just pass a bill and call it something like "Anything Goes When It Comes To Guns"? Then legislators could deal with issues that impact the majority and not just their small circle of like-minds and, most likely, donors.
Scott Dangerfield
Magna