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H.B. 134 Firearm Safety Amendments (Rep. Eliason, S.)

4K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  bagpiper 
#1 ·
According to H.B. 134 Firearm Safety Amendments (Rep. Eliason, S.) (http://le.utah.gov/~2014/bills/static/HB0134.html):

This bill enacts provisions relating to a voluntary firearm safety program.

This bill:
. requires the Department of Health prevention coordinator, in consultation with the state suicide prevention coordinator, to implement a firearm safety program, including:
. producing a firearm safety brochure and firearm safety packet;
. procuring cable-style gun locks;
. distributing firearm safety packets; and
. administering a redeemable coupon program in which a Utah resident who has filed an application for a concealed firearm permit receives a redeemable coupon toward the purchase of a gun safe and receives a firearm safety brochure; and
. provides appropriations for the operation of the firearm safety program.
And, would require specifically:

121 (b) The bureau shall use any amount in excess of the fees necessary to cover the costs
122 of issuing concealed firearm permits under this part to cover the costs of administering the
123 firearm safety program as described in Sections 26-7-7 and 53-10-202.
This bill would expand the provision in H.B. 329 Programs for Youth Protection (Rep. Eliason, S.) (http://le.utah.gov/~2014/bills/static/HB0329.html) which provides:

105 (2) The State Board of Education shall:
106 (a) develop a curriculum for the parent seminar described in Subsection (1) that
107 includes information on:
108 (i) substance abuse, including illegal drugs and prescription drugs and prevention;
109 (ii) bullying;
110 (iii) mental health, depression, and suicide awareness; [and]
111 (iv) Internet safety, including pornography addiction; and
112 (v) home firearm storage safety[....]
 
#2 ·
I don't like this bill. It's an answer in search of a problem. Utahns know about firearms storage. We also don't need someone else's taxes paying for crap that we already own or can buy for ourselves. Leftover money? There won't be. They'll find ways to spend it.

Now, if they want to INSTEAD start a firearms safety curriculum in schools as part of their normal day, I'll gladly get behind that. Teach them Eddy Eagle rules, safety rules, and starting in high school, firearms handling.

It is not the job of the school *OR* the government to worry about how my guns are stored at home.
 
#3 ·
I agree with Jarhead. We do not need this however education and learning safe handling of firearms through a curriculum in high school would be something I could get behind.
 
#4 ·
I also originally thought this was a bad bill but I just spoke to Clark Aposhian about this bill today and changed my mind.

Apparently BCI has enough surplus cash on hand from licensing fees to fund their operation for two full years but their funding is always provided by the state general fund. These funds, by law, cannot be used for any other purposes. So, this bill was the result of a collaboration between Rep. Eliason's original suicide prevention bill and the Utah Shooting Sports Council. The intent is to refund they money just sitting in an untouchable account due to overcharging for Concealed Firearms Permits to the people who paid it in the form of vouchers or discount certificates for gun locks or safes before lawmakers find a way to funnel it to other projects.
 
#5 ·
Sam Fidler said:
I also originally thought this was a bad bill but I just spoke to Clark Aposhian about this bill today and changed my mind.

Apparently BCI has enough surplus cash on hand from licensing fees to fund their operation for two full years but their funding is always provided by the state general fund. These funds, by law, cannot be used for any other purposes. So, this bill was the result of a collaboration between Rep. Eliason's original suicide prevention bill and the Utah Shooting Sports Council. The intent is to refund they money just sitting in an untouchable account due to overcharging for Concealed Firearms Permits to the people who paid it in the form of vouchers or discount certificates for gun locks or safes before lawmakers find a way to funnel it to other projects.
Thanks, Sam!

So, anti-gun legislators and lobbyists don't communicate with us about their bills because we would oppose them. But, pro-gun legislators and lobbyists also don't communicate with us about their bills ... why? This isn't the first time our legislators and lobbyists are too busy to inform us of their basic intent. Are they afraid that fully informed citizen lobbyists might do damage to their work? Well, I am one of those "uninformed" citizen lobbyists who went on record yesterday with all 104 legislators to oppose the bill, so, I doubt being kept in the dark is a winning strategy that avoids unintended damage. Do I appear pissed? Good. I would hate to feel this way and have nobody notice.

The most recent post at the USSC Facebook page was published on March 29, 2013. The last post at the USSC web site was published on January 14, 2013. Both sites haven't been updated in almost a year.
 
#6 ·
That does put a unique spin on things. I still think the course material in schools should be geared towards firearm safety and not firearms storage at home. The same fiduciary goals can be accomplished.
 
#7 ·
And they could just refund the excess money. Redirecting funds is always dangerous as it sets a precedence for future expected redirection, and when the funds are not sufficient to be redirected, then the revenue source for the funds is expected to be increased. And schools should still not be teaching kids that firearms Must be locked up. Eddie the Eagle safety courses or outright firearms courses, sure. But the message that will be put across after the teachers unions get a hold of the curriculum requirements will be to preach that any firearm not locked up in a safe at all times is evil, and needs to be reported.

I still don't like this bill.
 
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