LETTER: Gun law does restrict rights
Dear Editor,
I would like to respond to a letter about the Utah Safe to Learn Safe to Worship Act written by a member of the Utah State University College Democrats in the March 6 issue.
The author noted “the language of the act doesn’t place any additional restrictions on anyone’s ability to purchase or own a firearm.” This is true. It does, however, seek to “restrict freedom” by placing restrictions on where firearms can legally be carried.
The name of the act, Utah Safe to Learn Safe to Worship Act, connotes that institutions of learning and/or worship are not safe, i.e., “gun-free.” This is not true. The possession of firearms is already prohibited in these places.
State laws U.C.A. 76-10-505.5(1) and 76-3-203.2(1) have prohibited the possession of firearms “on or about school premises” or within 1,000 feet of school grounds. Section 76-3-203.2(1) defines “school premises” as public or private elementary, secondary, vocational or post-secondary school. This prohibition does not apply to concealed firearm permit holders.
U.C.A. 76-10-505.5(3) Section 76-10-530.1 prohibits the possession of firearms in a house of worship. This prohibition applies to concealed firearm permit holders. A house of worship is defined as “a church, temple, synagogue, mosque or other building set apart primarily for the purpose of worship in which religious services are held and the main body of which is kept for that use and not put to any other use inconsistent with its primary purpose.” U.C.A. Section 76-10-501.13.
Please do not equate “safe” with “gun-free.” Don’t encourage limiting the rights of those who have passed the background check and required firearm training necessary to obtain a concealed weapon permit.
I encourage everyone, no matter what their political views, to consider the words of Benjamin Franklin before signing or petitioning away any rights. “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Amanda Litchford