1     
FIREARMS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MODIFICATIONS

2     
2017 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Lee B. Perry

5     
Senate Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies the requirements for disposition of criminal domestic violence cases,
10     modifies notification requirements when a prohibited person attempts to purchase a
11     firearm, and modifies weapons law exemptions.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This bill:
14          ▸     states that certain concealed carry prohibitions do not apply to an individual 21
15     years of age or older who may lawfully possess a firearm;
16          ▸     requires a court to impose a protective order on a perpetrator of domestic violence
17     as a condition of probation or plea in abeyance that puts the perpetrator on notice
18     that the perpetrator is prohibited from possessing a firearm under state and federal
19     law, among other requirements;
20          ▸     requires the Bureau of Criminal Identification to inform local law enforcement
21     when a prohibited person attempts to purchase a weapon from a firearms dealer;
22          ▸     enhances the level of offense for domestic violence when the perpetrator is in
23     possession of a dangerous weapon to a class A misdemeanor; and
24          ▸     makes technical changes.
25     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
26          None
27     Other Special Clauses:

28          None
29     Utah Code Sections Affected:
30     AMENDS:
31          76-10-523, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 248
32          76-10-526, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 226
33          77-36-1.1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 426
34          77-36-5.1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 384
35     

36     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
37          Section 1. Section 76-10-523 is amended to read:
38          76-10-523. Persons exempt from weapons laws.
39          (1) Except for Sections 76-10-506, 76-10-508, and 76-10-508.1, this part and Title 53,
40     Chapter 5, Part 7, Concealed Firearm Act, do not apply to any of the following:
41          (a) a United States marshal;
42          (b) a federal official required to carry a firearm;
43          (c) a peace officer of this or any other jurisdiction;
44          (d) a law enforcement official as defined and qualified under Section 53-5-711;
45          (e) a judge as defined and qualified under Section 53-5-711; or
46          (f) a common carrier while engaged in the regular and ordinary transport of firearms as
47     merchandise.
48          (2) The provisions of Subsections 76-10-504(1) and (2), and Section 76-10-505 do not
49     apply to any person to whom a permit to carry a concealed firearm has been issued:
50          (a) pursuant to Section 53-5-704; or
51          (b) by another state or county.
52          (3) Except for Sections 76-10-503, 76-10-506, 76-10-508, and 76-10-508.1, this part
53     and Title 53, Chapter 5, Part 7, Concealed Firearm Act, do not apply to a nonresident traveling
54     in or though the state, provided that any firearm is:
55          (a) unloaded; and
56          (b) securely encased as defined in Section 76-10-501.
57          (4) Subsection 76-10-504(1) does not apply to a person 21 years of age or older who
58     may lawfully possess a firearm.

59          Section 2. Section 76-10-526 is amended to read:
60          76-10-526. Criminal background check before purchase of a firearm -- Fee --
61     Exemption for concealed firearm permit holders and law enforcement officers.
62          (1) For purposes of this section, "valid permit to carry a concealed firearm" does not
63     include a temporary permit issued under Section 53-5-705.
64          (2) (a) To establish personal identification and residence in this state for purposes of
65     this part, a dealer shall require an individual receiving a firearm to present one photo
66     identification on a form issued by a governmental agency of the state.
67          (b) A dealer may not accept a driving privilege card issued under Section 53-3-207 as
68     proof of identification for the purpose of establishing personal identification and residence in
69     this state as required under this Subsection (2).
70          (3) (a) A criminal history background check is required for the sale of a firearm by a
71     licensed firearm dealer in the state.
72          (b) Subsection (3)(a) does not apply to the sale of a firearm to a Federal Firearms
73     Licensee.
74          (4) (a) An individual purchasing a firearm from a dealer shall consent in writing to a
75     criminal background check, on a form provided by the bureau.
76          (b) The form shall contain the following information:
77          (i) the dealer identification number;
78          (ii) the name and address of the individual receiving the firearm;
79          (iii) the date of birth, height, weight, eye color, and hair color of the individual
80     receiving the firearm; and
81          (iv) the Social Security number or any other identification number of the individual
82     receiving the firearm.
83          (5) (a) The dealer shall send the information required by Subsection (4) to the bureau
84     immediately upon its receipt by the dealer.
85          (b) A dealer may not sell or transfer a firearm to an individual until the dealer has
86     provided the bureau with the information in Subsection (4) and has received approval from the
87     bureau under Subsection (7).
88          (6) The dealer shall make a request for criminal history background information by
89     telephone or other electronic means to the bureau and shall receive approval or denial of the

90     inquiry by telephone or other electronic means.
91          (7) When the dealer calls for or requests a criminal history background check, the
92     bureau shall:
93          (a) review the criminal history files, including juvenile court records, to determine if
94     the individual is prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or transferring a firearm by state or
95     federal law;
96          (b) inform the dealer that:
97          (i) the records indicate the individual is prohibited; or
98          (ii) the individual is approved for purchasing, possessing, or transferring a firearm;
99          (c) provide the dealer with a unique transaction number for that inquiry; and
100          (d) provide a response to the requesting dealer during the call for a criminal
101     background check, or by return call, or other electronic means, without delay, except in case of
102     electronic failure or other circumstances beyond the control of the bureau, the bureau shall
103     advise the dealer of the reason for the delay and give the dealer an estimate of the length of the
104     delay.
105          (8) (a) The bureau may not maintain any records of the criminal history background
106     check longer than 20 days from the date of the dealer's request, if the bureau determines that
107     the individual receiving the firearm is not prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or
108     transferring the firearm under state or federal law.
109          (b) [However,] Notwithstanding Subsection (8)(a), the bureau shall maintain a log of
110     requests containing the dealer's federal firearms number, the transaction number, and the
111     transaction date for a period of 12 months.
112          (9) If the criminal history background check discloses information indicating that the
113     individual attempting to purchase the firearm is prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or
114     transferring a firearm, the bureau shall:
115          (a) within 30 minutes of determining the purchaser is prohibited from purchasing,
116     possessing, or transferring a firearm, and before informing the dealer as described in
117     Subsection (7)(b), notify the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction where the dealer is
118     located; and
119          (b) inform the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the individual resides.
120          (10) If an individual is denied the right to purchase a firearm under this section, the

121     individual may review the individual's criminal history information and may challenge or
122     amend the information as provided in Section 53-10-108.
123          (11) The bureau shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
124     Administrative Rulemaking Act, to ensure the identity, confidentiality, and security of all
125     records provided by the bureau under this part are in conformance with the requirements of the
126     Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, Pub. L. No. 103-159, 107 Stat. 1536 (1993).
127          (12) (a) (i) A dealer shall collect a criminal history background check fee of $7.50 for
128     the sale of a firearm under this section.
129          (ii) This fee remains in effect until changed by the bureau through the process under
130     Section 63J-1-504.
131          (b) (i) The dealer shall forward at one time all fees collected for criminal history
132     background checks performed during the month to the bureau by the last day of the month
133     following the sale of a firearm.
134          (ii) The bureau shall deposit the fees in the General Fund as dedicated credits to cover
135     the cost of administering and conducting the criminal history background check program.
136          (13) An individual with a concealed firearm permit issued under Title 53, Chapter 5,
137     Part 7, Concealed Firearm Act, is exempt from the background check and corresponding fee
138     required in this section for the purchase of a firearm if:
139          (a) the individual presents the individual's concealed firearm permit to the dealer prior
140     to purchase of the firearm; and
141          (b) the dealer verifies with the bureau that the individual's concealed firearm permit is
142     valid.
143          (14) (a) A law enforcement officer, as defined in Section 53-13-103, is exempt from
144     the background check fee required in this section for the purchase of a personal firearm to be
145     carried while off-duty if the law enforcement officer verifies current employment by providing
146     a letter of good standing from the officer's commanding officer and current law enforcement
147     photo identification. [This section]
148          (b) Subsection (14)(a) may only be used by a law enforcement officer to purchase a
149     personal firearm once in a 24-month period.
150          (15) (a) A dealer may participate in the redeemable coupon program described in this
151     Subsection (15) and Subsection 53-10-202(18).

152          (b) A participating dealer shall:
153          (i) accept the redeemable coupon only from the individual whose name is on the
154     coupon and apply it only toward the purchase of a gun safe;
155          (ii) collect the receipts from the purchase of gun safes using the redeemable coupon
156     and send them to the Bureau of Criminal Identification for redemption; and
157          (iii) make the firearm safety brochure described in Subsection 53-10-202(18) available
158     to customers free of charge.
159          Section 3. Section 77-36-1.1 is amended to read:
160          77-36-1.1. Enhancement of offense and penalty for subsequent domestic violence
161     offenses.
162          (1) For purposes of this section, "qualifying domestic violence offense" means:
163          (a) a domestic violence offense in Utah; or
164          (b) an offense in any other state, or in any district, possession, or territory of the United
165     States, that would be a domestic violence offense under Utah law.
166          (2) A person who is convicted of a domestic violence offense is:
167          (a) guilty of a class B misdemeanor if:
168          (i) the domestic violence offense described in this Subsection (2) is designated by law
169     as a class C misdemeanor; and
170          (ii) (A) the domestic violence offense described in this Subsection (2) is committed
171     within five years after the person is convicted of a qualifying domestic violence offense; or
172          (B) the person is convicted of the domestic violence offense described in this
173     Subsection (2) within five years after the person is convicted of a qualifying domestic violence
174     offense;
175          (b) guilty of a class A misdemeanor if:
176          (i) the domestic violence offense described in this Subsection (2) is designated by law
177     as a class B misdemeanor; and
178          (ii) (A) the domestic violence offense described in this Subsection (2) is committed
179     within five years after the person is convicted of a qualifying domestic violence offense; [or]
180          (B) the person is convicted of the domestic violence offense described in this
181     Subsection (2) within five years after the person is convicted of a qualifying domestic violence
182     offense; or

183          (C) the domestic violence was committed while the perpetrator was in possession of a
184     firearm or dangerous weapon; or
185          (c) guilty of a felony of the third degree if:
186          (i) the domestic violence offense described in this Subsection (2) is designated by law
187     as a class A misdemeanor; and
188          (ii) (A) the domestic violence offense described in this Subsection (2) is committed
189     within five years after the person is convicted of a qualifying domestic violence offense; or
190          (B) the person is convicted of the domestic violence offense described in this
191     Subsection (2) within five years after the person is convicted of a qualifying domestic violence
192     offense.
193          Section 4. Section 77-36-5.1 is amended to read:
194          77-36-5.1. Conditions of probation for person convicted of domestic violence
195     offense.
196          (1) Before any perpetrator who has been convicted of a domestic violence offense may
197     be placed on probation, the court shall consider the safety and protection of the victim and any
198     member of the victim's family or household.
199          (2) The court [may] shall condition probation or a plea in abeyance on the perpetrator's
200     compliance with one or more orders of the court, which may include a sentencing protective
201     order:
202          (a) prohibiting the perpetrator from purchasing, using, or possessing a firearm or other
203     specified weapon;
204          (b) requiring the perpetrator to:
205          (i) surrender or dispose of any weapons the perpetrator owns or possesses, so the
206     perpetrator no longer has possession or control of a weapon or ammunition; and
207          (ii) certify compliance with Subsection (2)(b)(i) by affidavit filed in the court within 72
208     hours of the imposition of the court's order; and
209          (c) notifying the perpetrator that the perpetrator is subject to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 922(g) and
210     may not:
211          (i) lawfully ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or
212     affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or
213          (ii) receive any firearm or ammunition that has been shipped or transported in interstate

214     or foreign commerce.
215          (3) In addition to the conditions described in Subsection (2), the court may also issue
216     an order:
217          (a) enjoining the perpetrator from threatening to commit or committing acts of
218     domestic violence against the victim or other family or household member;
219          (b) prohibiting the perpetrator from harassing, telephoning, contacting, or otherwise
220     communicating with the victim, directly or indirectly;
221          (c) requiring the perpetrator to stay away from the victim's residence, school, place of
222     employment, and the premises of any of these, or a specified place frequented regularly by the
223     victim or any designated family or household member;
224          (d) prohibiting the perpetrator from possessing or consuming alcohol or controlled
225     substances;
226          (e) prohibiting the perpetrator from purchasing, using, or possessing a firearm or other
227     specified weapon;
228          (f) directing the perpetrator to surrender any weapons the perpetrator owns or
229     possesses;
230          (g) directing the perpetrator to participate in and complete, to the satisfaction of the
231     court, a program of intervention for perpetrators, treatment for alcohol or substance abuse, or
232     psychiatric or psychological treatment;
233          (h) directing the perpetrator to pay restitution to the victim; and
234          (i) imposing any other condition necessary to protect the victim and any other
235     designated family or household member or to rehabilitate the perpetrator.
236          [(3)] (4) The perpetrator is responsible for the costs of any condition of probation,
237     according to the perpetrator's ability to pay.
238          [(4)] (5) (a) Adult Probation and Parole, or other provider, shall immediately report to
239     the court and notify the victim of any offense involving domestic violence committed by the
240     perpetrator, the perpetrator's failure to comply with any condition imposed by the court, and
241     any violation of any sentencing criminal protective order issued by the court.
242          (b) Notification of the victim under Subsection [(4)] (5)(a) shall consist of a good faith
243     reasonable effort to provide prompt notification, including mailing a copy of the notification to
244     the last-known address of the victim.

245          [(5)] (6) The court shall transmit all dismissals, terminations, and expirations of
246     pretrial and sentencing criminal protective orders issued by the court to the statewide domestic
247     violence network.






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