Full disclosure: I’m a snitch. I just reported the Utah Legislature to the Moron Police. I had to leave a message, because their phone lines were jammed with other callers. All of us are beyond dumbfounded by the Legislature’s approval to a bill removing the requirement for a concealed carry permit. I’m beginning to wonder if the oxygen inside the state Capitol has been replaced by laughing gas.
Yes, our lawmakers are aware that passing this law could lead to an increase in suicides. That’s a bad thing, they admit. They are also aware that their bill could remove the requirement for a previously mandated 8-hour gun safety course. Weapons training, they decided, is still not necessary. Probably just a waste of time.
Yay, I can get a concealed carry permit without wasting a single minute of firearm training. All I need is a jacket. “Hey honey, let’s go to the mall. I got my brand new 9-millimeter and a handful of shiny bullets. I’ll read through the owners manual while you shop at Nordstrom’s. I’m going to guard the food court.”
Our legislators “assume” that people will voluntarily attend gun safety classes. That they have a “moral obligation” to learn how to safely load, unload, clean and store their shiny new weapons. That they will take the time to study and understand gun laws. I will assume the exact opposite. People are lazy, and so is this bill.
Utah Sen. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi, who holds a concealed carry permit, believes this new law “is not going to increase or decrease safety one iota.” Those of us with a shred of common sense will disagree with him. This will be yet another law made without due consideration of potential consequences.
In the ultimate display of moronic irony, lawmakers have decided to set aside funds to focus on firearm safety and suicide prevention in this bill. Half of these funds will come from concealed permit fees that are no longer needed to be paid. Really? That’s like expecting airline passengers to voluntarily buy a ticket on Fly Free Friday.
Mike Dunn, Draper
