H.B. 395

1

FIREARMS AMENDMENTS
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Stephen E. Sandstrom
5 Senate Sponsor: ____________
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 . 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;
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 or ammunition to a
22 Category I or Category 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) (i) The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit if 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 [(i)] (A) past pattern of behavior involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful
66 violence;
67 [(ii)] (B) past participation in incidents involving unlawful violence or threats of
68 unlawful violence; [or]
69 [(iii)] (C) conviction of an offense in violation of Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5,
70 Weapons[.]; or
71 (D) indicted for a crime of violence in any state.
72 (ii) The bureau shall immediately reverse any action taken that was based primarily on
73 an indictment under Subsection (3)(a)(i)(D) upon notice:
74 (A) that the indictment has been dismissed; or
75 (B) of acquittal of the person charged in the indictment.
76 (b) The bureau may not deny, suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit solely for
77 a single conviction of an infraction violation of Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons.
78 (c) In determining whether the applicant or permit holder has been or is a danger to self
79 or others, the bureau may inspect:
80 (i) expunged records of arrests and convictions of adults as provided in Section
81 77-40-109 ; and
82 (ii) juvenile court records as provided in Section 78A-6-209 .
83 [(d) (i) If a person granted a permit under this part has been charged with a crime of
84 violence in any state, the bureau shall suspend the permit.]
85 [(ii) Upon notice of the acquittal of the person charged, or notice of the charges having
86 been dropped, the bureau shall immediately reinstate the suspended permit.]
87 (4) (a) In addition to meeting the other qualifications for the issuance of a concealed
88 firearm permit under this section, a nonresident applicant who resides in a state that recognizes
89 the validity of the Utah permit or has reciprocity with Utah's concealed firearm permit law

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

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

152 including concealed carry statutes and rules, and the use of deadly force by private citizens.
153 (d) (i) Each applicant for certification under this Subsection (9) shall pay a fee of
154 $50.00 at the time of application for initial certification.
155 (ii) The renewal fee for the certificate is $25.
156 (iii) The bureau may use a fee paid under Subsections (9)(d)(i) and (ii) as a dedicated
157 credit to cover the cost incurred in maintaining and improving the instruction program required
158 for concealed firearm instructors under this Subsection (9).
159 (10) A certified concealed firearms instructor shall provide each of the instructor's
160 students with the required course of instruction outline approved by the bureau.
161 (11) (a) (i) A concealed firearms instructor shall provide a signed certificate to a person
162 successfully completing the offered course of instruction.
163 (ii) The instructor shall sign the certificate with the exact name indicated on the
164 instructor's certification issued by the bureau under Subsection (9).
165 (iii) (A) The certificate shall also have affixed to it the instructor's official seal, which
166 is the exclusive property of the instructor and may not be used by any other person.
167 (B) The instructor shall destroy the seal upon revocation or expiration of the
168 instructor's certification under Subsection (9).
169 (C) The bureau shall determine the design and content of the seal to include at least the
170 following:
171 (I) the instructor's name as it appears on the instructor's certification;
172 (II) the words "Utah Certified Concealed Firearms Instructor," "state of Utah," and "my
173 certification expires on (the instructor's certification expiration date)"; and
174 (III) the instructor's business or residence address.
175 (D) The seal shall be affixed to each student certificate issued by the instructor in a
176 manner that does not obscure or render illegible any information or signatures contained in the
177 document.
178 (b) The applicant shall provide the certificate to the bureau in compliance with
179 Subsection (6)(d).
180 (12) The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke the certification of an applicant or a
181 concealed firearms instructor if it has reason to believe the applicant or the instructor has:
182 (a) become ineligible to possess a firearm under Section 76-10-503 or federal law; or

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

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

245 (a) any firearm is guilty of a third degree felony; or
246 (b) any dangerous weapon other than a firearm or ammunition is guilty of a class A
247 misdemeanor.
248 (4) A person may be subject to the restrictions of both categories at the same time.
249 (5) If a higher penalty than is prescribed in this section is provided in another section
250 for one who purchases, transfers, possesses, uses, or has under this custody or control any
251 dangerous weapon, the penalties of that section control.
252 (6) It is an affirmative defense to a charge based on the definition in Subsection
253 (1)(b)(iv) that the person was:
254 (a) in possession of a controlled substance pursuant to a lawful order of a practitioner
255 for use of a member of the person's household or for administration to an animal owned by the
256 person or a member of the person's household; or
257 (b) otherwise authorized by law to possess the substance.
258 (7) (a) It is an affirmative defense to transferring a firearm or other dangerous weapon
259 by a person restricted under Subsection (2) or (3) that the firearm or dangerous weapon:
260 (i) was possessed by the person or was under the person's custody or control before the
261 person became a restricted person;
262 (ii) was not used in or possessed during the commission of a crime or subject to
263 disposition under Section 76-10-525 ;
264 (iii) is not being held as evidence by a court or law enforcement agency;
265 (iv) was transferred to a person not legally prohibited from possessing the weapon; and
266 (v) unless a different time is ordered by the sentencing court, was transferred within 10
267 days of the person's sentencing or release from incarceration for the offense for which the
268 person became a restricted person.
269 (b) Subsection (7)(a) is not a defense to the use, purchase, or possession on the person
270 of a firearm or other dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
271 (8) No person may sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any firearm, dangerous
272 weapon, or ammunition to any person, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the
273 recipient is either a Category I restricted person or a Category II restricted person.
274 (9) A person who violates Subsection (8) is guilty of a second degree felony.

Legislative Review Note
as of 2-6-12 10:52 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel