Thursday, March 1, 2001

BY GREG BURTON and JUDY FAHYS

The Beehive State -- already a pretty good draw for skiers and Red Rock revelers -- should now attract law-abiding and leisurely tourists who like to pack heat on vacation, the sponsor of a concealed-carry reciprocity measure told lawmakers Wednesday.

"I have relatives who won't visit because they have to leave their guns behind," said freshman Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden. "We shouldn't make people check their rights at the border."

Under House Bill 376, which passed both chambers this week and now heads to the governor, Utah would recognize concealed-weapon permits from every state except Vermont, which does not require permitting. In return, Donnelson expects more states (16 already have reciprocity with Utah) to begin recognizing the rights of Utah's concealed-weapon permit holders to carry guns when they travel to other states.

Senators added one caveat: permit holders from other states can move freely in Utah with their concealed weapons for no more than 60 days. After that time, the permit holders would be required to obtain Utah permits under a provision offered by Layton Republican Sen. Terry Spencer.

While some senators complained that the move would honor out-ofstate licenses from states with permit requirements less stringent than Utah, supporters said the 60-day reciprocity was a reasonable compromise.

The reciprocity bill was central to a package of pro-gun legislation introduced on Capitol Hill this year. But it was the sole measure endorsed by gun-rights advocates that passed the Senate and House.

For some, it was a bittersweet victory.

"I had people who favored the idea complaining that this is not a big enough bite," Donnelson said. "But I say take a piece at a time."

Source: Salt Lake Tribune