This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Legislature gave final approval Monday to a bill that would require out-of-state gun owners who seek a Utah concealed-weapon permit to first obtain a permit from their home states, if available.
The Senate voted 25-0 to accept earlier House amendments to SB36 and sent it to Gov. Gary Herbert. The House changes make it clear that out-of-state residents could apply immediately for a Utah permit if their home state does not recognize Utah's.
Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, the bill's sponsor, has said the Utah permit is popular because it is recognized by 33 other states — the most of any state permit — so owners can carry guns in most places nationally with that one certificate.
But he said states such as Nevada and New Mexico recently stopped recognizing Utah permits. Valentine said they worry that Utah permits do not require any measure of shooting proficiency. But he added the states appear upset that their own residents often apply only for a Utah license without also obtaining a local one.
Valentine said the bill would give states control over their own residents, help ensure that Utah permits are recognized by potentially jealous states, and help Utahns by ensuring their permits will be recognized more widely.