As a guy that spent most of his life in The Beehive State, the news about Utah’s Senate Bill 11 (The Firearms Protection Act of 2010) makes me proud. A growing number of states are now considering similar legislation that will effectively nullify the unconstitutional federal firearms regulations that infringe upon the rights of states, and the legitimate ownership and use of firearms and ammo by citizens.
Of course, this legislation would only apply to products that are made, sold, and used inside of state lines. It includes the clarification of the rights granted to the state through the 9th and 10th Amendment’s. The bill points out some of the restrictions currently being violated by the US Congress to only regulate interstate commerce. The bill’s text points out that firearms and ammo made and used within the state are not subject to any federal regulations. This may imply that UT gun makers could do away with background checks, serialization, and even the need for an FFL license to sell their guns and ammo commercially to local consumers.
Before you get your panties in an uproar over the lack of a background check, remember that it is still illegal for violent felons to possess a firearm in Utah. That is state law, and will remain unaffected by S.B. 11. What S.B. 11 will do is make it easier for law-abiding citizens to buy a gun for lawful use. Currently, all of the red tape and bureaucracy involved in buying a gun (or God forbid an NFA item) from a federally licensed dealer only affects those who care about the law (AKA: the dealer and the lawful consumer). Criminals on the other hand, will simply bypass the red tape via the black market, build-it-yourself, or a simple theft. Anyway, why would violent criminals be deterred by a petty weapons charge if they are not deterred by a murder charge that could carry the death penalty?
In other words, the law does not/has not/will not ever prevent or stop crimes from happening. The law can help us punish criminals after the deed is done. But then again murder, rape, and robbery will still be illegal even without gun control. The only way to prevent or stop a crime before it is carried out is by the use of force. A 10,000 page illegible legal document that’s gathering dust in the library of congress 2000 miles away will not stop a crime.
Here’s another way of looking at it… if background checks actually stopped felons from getting/using guns, we would not have a single armed felon anywhere in the USA since the passing of the Brady Bill. And if gun control actually worked, places like Mexico would be a virtual utopia of peace and tranquility. Unfortunately, the facts tell us that it’s not that simple. In reality, gun control is more closely compared to sending a firefighter into a forest fire without a fire suit, oxygen tank, hose or water, then drenching his naked body in liquid O2, and asking him to put the fire out by blowing really hard.
Back on topic…
Another perk to S.B. 11 is that federal taxes and regulations on practical accessories like sound suppressors and certain types of banned ammo would go out the door. Meaning that you could one day defend your home without risking permanent hearing damage to yourself and loved ones. You could even make your own suppressor as long at it is stamped “Made in UT”. This bill almost makes me feel like a legitimate American citizen again.
Here is an excerpt from the bill text courtesy of le.utah.gov…
Highlighted Provisions SB11:
This bill:
. addresses the legal status of a firearm manufactured in the state for use within the
state;
. defines terms;
. provides that a firearm or one of various firearm-related items manufactured in the
state for in-state use is not subject to federal firearms laws and regulations;
. exempts from in-state manufacturing some firearms and ammunition; and
. requires certain markings on a firearm manufactured in the state for use within the
state.
The greatest part about this bill is that just under the excerpt is says “funds appropriated, NONE”. This means that implementation will cost virtually nothing to the taxpayers (a true rarity in today’s legislative world), but will open the door for new small businesses to begin serving the expanded local market. The bill passed through the state senate with a hearty 19/10 win, and the House Committee has granted a “favorable recommendation” with a 12/1 landslide on 2/8/2010. It is currently awaiting House approval before heading off to Governor Gary Herbert’s desk.
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