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First Substitute H.B. 395

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:38 AM by lerror. --> This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 11:51 AM by jeyring. -->

Representative Stephen E. Sandstrom proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
FIREARMS AMENDMENTS

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Stephen E. Sandstrom

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends provisions of Title 53, Chapter 5, Part 7, Concealed Firearm Act,
             10      related to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a concealed firearm permit and Title
             11      76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons, regarding restrictions on the possession, purchase,
             12      transfer, and ownership of firearms by certain persons.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15      H. [     .    provides that the Bureau of Criminal Identification may, rather than shall, deny,
             16      suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit on the basis of an indictment for a
             17      crime of violence in any state, but shall reverse that action upon notice of dismissal
             18      of the indictment or acquittal; ] .H
             19          .    provides an affirmative defense for Category I and II restricted persons charged with
             20      possession or transfer of firearms or other dangerous weapons;
             21          .    makes it a crime to sell, transfer, or dispose of a firearm to a Category I or Category
             22      II restricted person;
             23          .    provides that a Category I restricted person includes illegal aliens; and
             24          .    makes certain technical changes.
             25      Money Appropriated in this Bill:

             26          None
             27      Other Special Clauses:
             28          None
             29      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             30      AMENDS:
             31          53-5-704, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapters 193 and 368
             32          76-10-503, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapters 203 and 235
             33     
             34      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             35          Section 1. Section 53-5-704 is amended to read:
             36           53-5-704. Bureau duties -- Permit to carry concealed firearm -- Certification for
             37      concealed firearms instructor -- Requirements for issuance -- Violation -- Denial,
             38      suspension, or revocation -- Appeal procedure.
             39          (1) (a) The bureau shall issue a permit to carry a concealed firearm for lawful self
             40      defense to an applicant who is 21 years of age or older within 60 days after receiving an
             41      application, unless the bureau finds proof that the applicant does not meet the qualifications set
             42      forth in Subsection (2).
             43          (b) The permit is valid throughout the state for five years, without restriction, except as
             44      otherwise provided by Section 53-5-710 .
             45          (c) The provisions of Subsections 76-10-504 (1) and (2), and Section 76-10-505 do not
             46      apply to a person issued a permit under Subsection (1)(a).
             47          (2) (a) The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit if the
             48      applicant or permit holder:
             49          (i) has been or is convicted of a felony;
             50          (ii) has been or is convicted of a crime of violence;
             51          (iii) has been or is convicted of an offense involving the use of alcohol;
             52          (iv) has been or is convicted of an offense involving the unlawful use of narcotics or
             53      other controlled substances;
             54          (v) has been or is convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude;
             55          (vi) has been or is convicted of an offense involving domestic violence;
             56          (vii) has been or is adjudicated by a state or federal court as mentally incompetent,

             57      unless the adjudication has been withdrawn or reversed; and
             58          (viii) is not qualified to purchase and possess a firearm pursuant to Section 76-10-503
             59      and federal law.
             60          (b) In determining whether an applicant or permit holder meets the qualifications set
             61      forth in Subsection (2)(a), the bureau shall consider mitigating circumstances.
             62          (3) (a) H. [ (i) ] .H The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit if
             62a      it has
             63      reasonable cause to believe that the applicant or permit holder has been or is a danger to self or
             64      others as demonstrated by evidence, including:
             65           H. [ [ ] (i) [ ] ] [ (A) ] .H past pattern of behavior involving unlawful violence
             65a      or threats of unlawful
             66      violence;
             67           H. [ [ ] (ii) [ ] ] [ (B) ] .H past participation in incidents involving unlawful violence or
             67a      threats of
             68      unlawful violence; [or]
             69           H. [ [ ] (iii) [ ] ] [ (C) ] .H conviction of an offense in violation of Title 76,
             69a      Chapter 10, Part 5,
             70      Weapons.
             71           H. [ (ii) The bureau shall immediately reverse any action taken that was based primarily on
             72      an indictment or bindover under Subsection (3)(a)(i)(D) upon notice:
             73          (A) that the indictment or bindover has been dismissed; or
             74          (B) of acquittal of the person charged. ] .H
             75          (b) The bureau may not deny, suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit solely for
             76      a single conviction of an infraction violation of Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons.
             77          (c) In determining whether the applicant or permit holder has been or is a danger to self
             78      or others, the bureau may inspect:
             79          (i) expunged records of arrests and convictions of adults as provided in Section
             80      77-40-109 ; and
             81          (ii) juvenile court records as provided in Section 78A-6-209 .
             82          [(d) (i) If a person granted a permit under this part has been charged with a crime of
             83      violence in any state, the bureau shall suspend the permit.]
             84          [(ii) Upon notice of the acquittal of the person charged, or notice of the charges having
             85      been dropped, the bureau shall immediately reinstate the suspended permit.]
             86          (4) (a) In addition to meeting the other qualifications for the issuance of a concealed
             87      firearm permit under this section, a nonresident applicant who resides in a state that recognizes

             88      the validity of the Utah permit or has reciprocity with Utah's concealed firearm permit law
             89      shall:
             90          (i) hold a current concealed firearm or concealed weapon permit issued by the
             91      appropriate permitting authority of the nonresident applicant's state of residency; and
             92          (ii) submit a photocopy or electronic copy of the nonresident applicant's current
             93      concealed firearm or concealed weapon permit referred to in Subsection (4)(a)(i).
             94          (b) A nonresident applicant who knowingly and willfully provides false information to
             95      the bureau under Subsection (4)(a) is prohibited from holding a Utah concealed firearm permit
             96      for a period of 10 years.
             97          (c) Subsection (4)(a) applies to all applications for the issuance of a concealed firearm
             98      permit that are received by the bureau after May 10, 2011.
             99          (d) Beginning January 1, 2012, Subsection (4)(a) also applies to an application for
             100      renewal of a concealed firearm permit by a nonresident.
             101          (5) The bureau shall issue a concealed firearm permit to a former peace officer who
             102      departs full-time employment as a peace officer, in an honorable manner, within five years of
             103      that departure if the officer meets the requirements of this section.
             104          (6) Except as provided in Subsection (7), the bureau shall also require the applicant to
             105      provide:
             106          (a) the address of the applicant's permanent residence;
             107          (b) one recent dated photograph;
             108          (c) one set of fingerprints; and
             109          (d) evidence of general familiarity with the types of firearms to be concealed as defined
             110      in Subsection (8).
             111          (7) An applicant who is a law enforcement officer under Section 53-13-103 may
             112      provide a letter of good standing from the officer's commanding officer in place of the evidence
             113      required by Subsection (6)(d).
             114          (8) (a) General familiarity with the types of firearms to be concealed includes training
             115      in:
             116          (i) the safe loading, unloading, storage, and carrying of the types of firearms to be
             117      concealed; and
             118          (ii) current laws defining lawful use of a firearm by a private citizen, including lawful

             119      self-defense, use of force by a private citizen, including use of deadly force, transportation, and
             120      concealment.
             121          (b) An applicant may satisfy the general familiarity requirement of Subsection (8)(a) by
             122      one of the following:
             123          (i) completion of a course of instruction conducted by a national, state, or local
             124      firearms training organization approved by the bureau;
             125          (ii) certification of general familiarity by a person who has been certified by the bureau,
             126      which may include a law enforcement officer, military or civilian firearms instructor, or hunter
             127      safety instructor; or
             128          (iii) equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in an organized
             129      shooting competition, law enforcement, or military service.
             130          (c) Instruction taken by a student under Subsection (8) shall be in person and not
             131      through electronic means.
             132          (9) (a) An applicant for certification as a Utah concealed firearms instructor shall:
             133          (i) be at least 21 years of age;
             134          (ii) be currently eligible to possess a firearm under Section 76-10-503 ;
             135          (iii) have:
             136          (A) completed a firearm instruction training course from the National Rifle Association
             137      or the Department of Public Safety, Division of Peace Officer Safety Standards and Training;
             138      or
             139          (B) received training equivalent to one of the courses referred to in Subsection
             140      (8)(a)(iii)(A) as determined by the bureau;
             141          (iv) have taken a course of instruction and passed a certification test as described in
             142      Subsection (9)(c); and
             143          (v) possess a Utah concealed firearm permit.
             144          (b) An instructor's certification is valid for three years from the date of issuance, unless
             145      revoked by the bureau.
             146          (c) (i) In order to obtain initial certification or renew a certification, an instructor shall
             147      attend an instructional course and pass a test under the direction of the bureau.
             148          (ii) (A) The bureau shall provide or contract to provide the course referred to in
             149      Subsection (9)(c)(i) twice every year.

             150          (B) The course shall include instruction on current Utah law related to firearms,
             151      including concealed carry statutes and rules, and the use of deadly force by private citizens.
             152          (d) (i) Each applicant for certification under this Subsection (9) shall pay a fee of
             153      $50.00 at the time of application for initial certification.
             154          (ii) The renewal fee for the certificate is $25.
             155          (iii) The bureau may use a fee paid under Subsections (9)(d)(i) and (ii) as a dedicated
             156      credit to cover the cost incurred in maintaining and improving the instruction program required
             157      for concealed firearm instructors under this Subsection (9).
             158          (10) A certified concealed firearms instructor shall provide each of the instructor's
             159      students with the required course of instruction outline approved by the bureau.
             160          (11) (a) (i) A concealed firearms instructor shall provide a signed certificate to a person
             161      successfully completing the offered course of instruction.
             162          (ii) The instructor shall sign the certificate with the exact name indicated on the
             163      instructor's certification issued by the bureau under Subsection (9).
             164          (iii) (A) The certificate shall also have affixed to it the instructor's official seal, which
             165      is the exclusive property of the instructor and may not be used by any other person.
             166          (B) The instructor shall destroy the seal upon revocation or expiration of the
             167      instructor's certification under Subsection (9).
             168          (C) The bureau shall determine the design and content of the seal to include at least the
             169      following:
             170          (I) the instructor's name as it appears on the instructor's certification;
             171          (II) the words "Utah Certified Concealed Firearms Instructor," "state of Utah," and "my
             172      certification expires on (the instructor's certification expiration date)"; and
             173          (III) the instructor's business or residence address.
             174          (D) The seal shall be affixed to each student certificate issued by the instructor in a
             175      manner that does not obscure or render illegible any information or signatures contained in the
             176      document.
             177          (b) The applicant shall provide the certificate to the bureau in compliance with
             178      Subsection (6)(d).
             179          (12) The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke the certification of an applicant or a
             180      concealed firearms instructor if it has reason to believe the applicant or the instructor has:

             181          (a) become ineligible to possess a firearm under Section 76-10-503 or federal law; or
             182          (b) knowingly and willfully provided false information to the bureau.
             183          (13) An applicant for certification or a concealed firearms instructor has the same
             184      appeal rights as set forth in Subsection (16).
             185          (14) In providing instruction and issuing a permit under this part, the concealed
             186      firearms instructor and the bureau are not vicariously liable for damages caused by the permit
             187      holder.
             188          (15) An individual who knowingly and willfully provides false information on an
             189      application filed under this part is guilty of a class B misdemeanor, and the application may be
             190      denied, or the permit may be suspended or revoked.
             191          (16) (a) In the event of a denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit, the applicant or
             192      permit holder may file a petition for review with the board within 60 days from the date the
             193      denial, suspension, or revocation is received by the applicant or permit holder by certified mail,
             194      return receipt requested.
             195          (b) The bureau's denial of a permit shall be in writing and shall include the general
             196      reasons for the action.
             197          (c) If an applicant or permit holder appeals the denial to the review board, the applicant
             198      or permit holder may have access to the evidence upon which the denial is based in accordance
             199      with Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act.
             200          (d) On appeal to the board, the bureau has the burden of proof by a preponderance of
             201      the evidence.
             202          (e) (i) Upon a ruling by the board on the appeal of a denial, the board shall issue a final
             203      order within 30 days stating the board's decision.
             204          (ii) The final order shall be in the form prescribed by Subsection 63G-4-203 (1)(i).
             205          (iii) The final order is final bureau action for purposes of judicial review under Section
             206      63G-4-402 .
             207          (17) The commissioner may make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
             208      Administrative Rulemaking Act, necessary to administer this chapter.
             209          Section 2. Section 76-10-503 is amended to read:
             210           76-10-503. Restrictions on possession, purchase, transfer, and ownership of
             211      dangerous weapons by certain persons.

             212          (1) For purposes of this section:
             213          (a) A Category I restricted person is a person who:
             214          (i) has been convicted of any violent felony as defined in Section 76-3-203.5 ;
             215          (ii) is on probation or parole for any felony;
             216          (iii) is on parole from a secure facility as defined in Section 62A-7-101 ; [or]
             217          (iv) within the last 10 years has been adjudicated delinquent for an offense which if
             218      committed by an adult would have been a violent felony as defined in Section 76-3-203.5 [.]; or
             219          (v) is an alien who is illegally or unlawfully in the United States.
             220          (b) A Category II restricted person is a person who:
             221          (i) has been convicted of [or is under indictment for] any felony;
             222          (ii) within the last seven years has been adjudicated delinquent for an offense which if
             223      committed by an adult would have been a felony;
             224          (iii) is an unlawful user of a controlled substance as defined in Section 58-37-2 ;
             225          (iv) is in possession of a dangerous weapon and is knowingly and intentionally in
             226      unlawful possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance as defined in Section 58-37-2 ;
             227          (v) has been found not guilty by reason of insanity for a felony offense;
             228          (vi) has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial for a felony offense;
             229          (vii) has been adjudicated as mentally defective as provided in the Brady Handgun
             230      Violence Prevention Act, Pub. L. No. 103-159, 107 Stat. 1536 (1993), or has been committed
             231      to a mental institution;
             232          [(viii) is an alien who is illegally or unlawfully in the United States;]
             233          [(ix)] (viii) has been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces; or
             234          [(x)] (ix) has renounced his citizenship after having been a citizen of the United States.
             235          (2) A Category I restricted person who intentionally or knowingly agrees, consents,
             236      offers, or arranges to purchase, transfer, possess, use, or have under [his] the person's custody
             237      or control, or who intentionally or knowingly purchases, transfers, possesses, uses, or has under
             238      [his] the person's custody or control:
             239          (a) any firearm is guilty of a second degree felony; or
             240          (b) any dangerous weapon other than a firearm is guilty of a third degree felony.
             241          (3) A Category II restricted person who purchases, transfers, possesses, uses, or has
             242      under [his] the person's custody or control:

             243          (a) any firearm is guilty of a third degree felony; or
             244          (b) any dangerous weapon other than a firearm is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
             245          (4) A person may be subject to the restrictions of both categories at the same time.
             246          (5) If a higher penalty than is prescribed in this section is provided in another section
             247      for one who purchases, transfers, possesses, uses, or has under this custody or control any
             248      dangerous weapon, the penalties of that section control.
             249          (6) It is an affirmative defense to a charge based on the definition in Subsection
             250      (1)(b)(iv) that the person was:
             251          (a) in possession of a controlled substance pursuant to a lawful order of a practitioner
             252      for use of a member of the person's household or for administration to an animal owned by the
             253      person or a member of the person's household; or
             254          (b) otherwise authorized by law to possess the substance.
             255          (7) (a) It is an affirmative defense to transferring a firearm or other dangerous weapon
             256      by a person restricted under Subsection (2) or (3) that the firearm or dangerous weapon:
             257          (i) was possessed by the person or was under the person's custody or control before the
             258      person became a restricted person;
             259          (ii) was not used in or possessed during the commission of a crime or subject to
             260      disposition under Section 76-10-525 ;
             261          (iii) is not being held as evidence by a court or law enforcement agency;
             262          (iv) was transferred to a person not legally prohibited from possessing the weapon; and
             263          (v) unless a different time is ordered by the court, was transferred within 10 days of the
             264      person becoming a restricted person.
             265          (b) Subsection (7)(a) is not a defense to the use, purchase, or possession on the person
             266      of a firearm or other dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
             267          (8) H. (a) .H A person may not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any
             267a      firearm or dangerous
             268      weapon to any person, knowing that the recipient is a person described in Subsection (1)(a) or
             269      (b).
             269a      H. (b) A person who violates Subsection (8)(a) when the recipient is:
             269b          (i) a person described in Subsection (1)(a) and the transaction involves a firearm, is
             269c      guilty of a second degree felony;
             269d          (ii) a person described in Subsection (1)(a) and the transaction involves any dangerous
             269e      weapon other than a firearm, is guilty of a third degree felony;
             269f          (iii) a person described in Subsection (1)(b) and the transaction involves a firearm,

             269g      is guilty of a third degree felony; or
             269h          (iv) a person described in Subsection (1)(b) and the transaction involves any dangerous
             269i      weapon other than a firearm, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. .H
             270          (9) (a) A person may not knowingly solicit, persuade, encourage or entice a dealer or
             271      other person to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of a firearm or dangerous weapon under
             272      circumstances which the person knows would be a violation of the law.
             273          (b) A person may not provide to a dealer or other person what the person knows to be

             274      materially false information with intent to deceive the dealer or other person about the legality
             275      of a sale, transfer or other disposition of a firearm or dangerous weapon.
             276          (c) "Materially false information" means information that portrays an illegal transaction
             277      as legal or a legal transaction as illegal.
             278          (d) A person who violates this Subsection (9) is guilty of:
             279          (i) a third degree felony if the transaction involved a firearm; or
             280          (ii) a class A misdemeanor if the transaction involved a dangerous weapon other than a
             281      firearm.

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