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Rep. Lee Perry Statement on Recent Bill File

Sep 30, 2016 08:58AM ● By Bryan Scott
Press Release submitted to City Journals 



Salt Lake City – Representative Lee Perry issued the following statement to clarify recent news stories about a bill file he has opened for the upcoming 2017 Legislative Session:

I recently opened a bill file that would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed gun without a permit and not be considered a criminal action. I’m sponsoring this legislation because I have constituents that believe this is a Second Amendment right. Eleven other states have passed similar laws including Wyoming, Idaho and Arizona. 

I am not running this bill as a member of law enforcement but as a representative of the people of Utah and House District 29. 

I respect the Utah Concealed Weapons (CCW) Permit and nothing in this bill eliminates that permit. The intent of this bill is to not require Utahns, who are law-abiding citizens and can already legally open carry, to obtain yet another permit to conceal carry. I encourage Utahns to continue to obtain CCW permits. It provides training and is cost-effective for those who choose to purchase guns in this state.

I want to reiterate that this bill does not reflect in any way the support of my employer or anyone else in law enforcement. However, citizens of Utah who believe, barring any other factors, that carrying a concealed gun on their person should not be a crime, should be supportive of this legislation.