Utah Law That Drops Permit Requirement For Conceal Carry Goes Into Effect In May

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill last week that loosens the state’s conceal carry laws.

Until now, it was required by law to have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. While the new law allows for many gun owners to conceal carry, there are still groups that will have to get a permit first.

For example, anyone younger than 21 must still have a permit.

At Ready Gunner in Utah County, business has never been better. They sell guns and gear – and they teach conceal carry permit classes.

When Cox signed HB60, the store’s owners said they were thrilled.

“We believe that it’s everybody’s constitutional right to carry and conceal,” said co-owner Casey Currey. “We’re big supporters of (HB60), obviously.”

One group is not about it, though. Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America released a statement after the bill was signed.

“Today Utah became less safe,” according to the statement. “HB60 has bipartisan opposition and has already been vetoed by our former governor, Gay Herbert.”

Part of the bill allocates money to suicide prevention programs, but the group said it’s not enough.

“Lawmakers fast-tracked the bill instead of addressing our gun suicide epidemic,” according to Moms Demand Action.

Currey said she supports money going to suicide prevention. While she believes the bill is a step in the right direction for Second Amendment rights, she said Ready Gunner won’t be changing its class schedule anytime soon.

“We’re still going to be holding our courses,” she said. “We haven’t seen a decrease in signups.

“We really do believe that education is key,” she added.

The new law will go into effect in May of this year.