H.B. 373 Enrolled

             1     

FIREARM TRANSFER CERTIFICATION AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Ryan D. Wilcox

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Mark B. Madsen

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill provides requirements for law enforcement officials to certify federal firearm
             10      transfers within a certain time.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    defines terms;
             14          .    requires law enforcement officers or other eligible officials to certify certain federal
             15      firearm transfers;
             16          .    provides that the certification is granted only for firearm transfer applicants not
             17      prohibited by law; and
             18          .    specifies a time period within which the law enforcement officer shall certify and
             19      return the form to the applicant.
             20      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             21          None
             22      Other Special Clauses:
             23          None
             24      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             25      ENACTS:
             26           53-5a-104 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             27     
             28      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             29          Section 1. Section 53-5a-104 is enacted to read:


             30          53-5a-104. Firearm transfer certification.
             31          (1) As used in this section:
             32          (a) "Certification" means the participation and assent of the chief law enforcement
             33      officer necessary under federal law for the approval of the application to transfer or make a
             34      firearm.
             35          (b) "Chief law enforcement officer" means any official the Bureau of Alcohol,
             36      Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or any successor agency, identifies by regulation or
             37      otherwise as eligible to provide any required certification for the making or transfer of a
             38      firearm.
             39          (c) "Firearm" has the same meaning as provided in the National Firearms Act, 6 U.S.C.
             40      Sec. 5845(a).
             41          (2) A chief law enforcement officer may not make a certification under this section that
             42      the chief law enforcement officer knows to be untrue. The chief law enforcement officer may
             43      not refuse to provide certification based on a generalized objection to private persons or entities
             44      making, possessing, or receiving firearms or any certain type of firearm, the possession of
             45      which is not prohibited by law.
             46          (3) Upon receiving a federal firearm transfer form a chief law enforcement officer or
             47      the chief law enforcement officer's designee shall provide certification if the applicant:
             48          (a) is not prohibited by law from receiving or possessing the firearm; or
             49          (b) is not the subject of a proceeding that could result in the applicant being prohibited
             50      by law from receiving or possessing the firearm.
             51          (4) The chief law enforcement officer, the chief law enforcement officer's designee, or
             52      official signing the federal transfer form shall:
             53          (a) return the federal transfer form to the applicant within 15 calendar days; or
             54          (b) if the applicant is denied, provide to the applicant the reasons for denial in writing
             55      within 15 calendar days.
             56          (5) Chief law enforcement officers and their employees who act in good faith when
             57      acting within the scope of their duties are immune from liability arising from any act or


             58      omission in making a certification as required by this section. Any action taken against a chief
             59      law enforcement officer or an employee shall be in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 7,
             60      Governmental Immunity Act of Utah.


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