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S.B. 157

             1     

RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO CARRY

             2     
FIREARMS IN DECLARED EMERGENCY

             3     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Mark B. Madsen

             6     
House Sponsor: ____________

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill enacts provisions related to the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transport,
             11      storage, display, or use of firearms during a declared state of emergency or local
             12      emergency.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    provides that during a declared state of emergency or local emergency neither the
             16      governor nor an agency of a governmental entity or political subdivision may
             17      impose restrictions on the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transport, storage,
             18      display, or use of a firearm or ammunition;
             19          .    provides that during a declared state of emergency an individual, while purporting
             20      to act on behalf of the state or a political subdivision, may not confiscate a privately
             21      owned firearm of another individual;
             22          .    provides exceptions to the confiscation prohibition; and
             23          .    provides a civil remedy for violation of the confiscation prohibition.
             24      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             25          None
             26      Other Special Clauses:
             27          None


             28      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             29      ENACTS:
             30          63-5a-12, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             31     
             32      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             33          Section 1. Section 63-5a-12 is enacted to read:
             34          63-5a-12. Prohibition of restrictions on and confiscation of a firearm or
             35      ammunition during an emergency.
             36          (1) As used in this section:
             37          (a) (i) "Confiscate" means for an individual in Utah to intentionally deprive another of
             38      a privately owned firearm.
             39          (ii) "Confiscate" does not include the taking of a firearm from an individual:
             40          (A) in self-defense;
             41          (B) possessing a firearm while the individual is committing a felony or misdemeanor;
             42      or
             43          (C) who may not, under state or federal law, possess the firearm.
             44          (b) "Firearm" has the same meaning as defined in Subsection 76-10-501 (9).
             45          (2) During a declared state of emergency or local emergency under this chapter:
             46          (a) neither the governor nor an agency of a governmental entity or political subdivision
             47      of the state may impose restrictions on the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transport, storage,
             48      display, or use of a firearm or ammunition; and
             49          (b) an individual, while purporting to act on behalf of the state or a political
             50      subdivision of the state, may not confiscate a privately owned firearm of another individual.
             51          (3) (a) An individual who has a firearm confiscated in violation of Subsection (2)(a)
             52      may bring a civil action in a court having the appropriate jurisdiction:
             53          (i) for damages, in the maximum amount of $10,000, against a person who violates
             54      Subsection (2)(b);
             55          (ii) for a civil penalty, in the amount of $5,000 per violation, against a person who
             56      allegedly violates Subsection (2)(b); and
             57          (iii) for return of the confiscated firearm.
             58          (b) The court shall award costs and reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in


             59      an action brought under Subsection (3)(a).




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-22-08 4:27 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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