Utah State Representative Glenn Donnelson needs your help. Rep. Donnelson, with the assistance of Utah Gun Owners Alliance, has introduced HB 376, Concealed Carry Reciprocity. This bill would require that Utah recognize concealed carry permits issued by any other state or county. It would also recognize the right of any person to carry a concealed firearm if his home state grants him that right, thus allowing residents of Vermont to carry in Utah without a permit.

The bill would also require that Utah contact each state annually, to request that each state recognize Utah's permits. This would allow Utahns with permits to carry legally in 33 states - assuming those states agree.

Tourism is a major industry in Utah. Tourists come to Utah to visit our cities and cultural attractions, to ski our famed ski slopes, and to take advantage of our unparalleled mountains, lakes, rivers, deserts and rock formations. Our guests deserve to have the ability to defend themselves against predators - whether human or animal.

Utah is also a center of high-tech industry. Business people from all over the country (and all over the world) travel to Utah to do business with such companies as Corel, Novell, Intel, and Micron.

Next year, Utah will host the 2002 Winter Olympics, and the number of people visiting our state will increase dramatically. Sadly, the number of criminals drawn to Utah to prey on tourists will also increase, because criminals love disarmed and helpless tourists.

Rep. Donnelson realizes that people do not lose their basic human rights just because they cross a state border. It's insulting to treat guests as if they are criminals who can't be trusted! Utah should treat its visitors with respect and consideration for their rights and safety.

This is where you can make a difference:

Rep. Donnelson would like to hear from people who do NOT live in Utah, who would like to be able to legally carry a firearm while visiting Utah.

Please send a note to Rep. Donnelson letting him know that you would like to able to carry a firearm for self-defense while visiting Utah.

If he gets hundreds - or thousands - of notes, he will be able to demonstrate to his fellow legislators that visitors to our state care about their right to self-defense and want this bill passed - and they will be much more likely to vote for his bill.

Please clip and send the following note - or even better, write your own. If being able to carry a firearm in Utah would make you more likely to visit us, please include that information.

Send to Rep. Glenn Donnelson, gdonnelson@le.state.ut.us

Clip and Send:

Dear Rep. Donnelson,

Thank you for sponsoring HB 376 - Concealed Carry Reciprocity.

I appreciate your concern for the rights of people visiting Utah.

I know that I would feel more comfortable, and be much safer, visiting Utah if I could carry a concealed firearm for my own protection. Whenever possible, I plan my trips so that I visit states that recognize my right to self-defense, and avoid states where I'm treated like a criminal who can't be trusted.

If Utah allowed law-abiding visitors to carry concealed firearms for self-defense, I would be much more likely to visit your state.

Please tell your fellow legislators that I would like them to support your bill, as introduced, without any changes.

Thank you for sponsoring this bill.

Sincerely,

Your name

Your address - or at least your city and state

Utah Gun Owner’s Alliance - http://www.utgoa.org/

Note: Kentucky and Utah have a reciprocity agreement so that Kentucky CDWL license holders may legally carry in Utah.