House Bill 357 removes the previous restriction against loaded firearms in vehicles without a concealed carry permit. The new law allows for anyone 18 years or older in legal possession of a firearm to have it loaded in a vehicle with or without a concealed carry permit. This new law effectively extends all firearm rights as they exist in the home to one’s vehicle.

PROTECTION OF CONSTITUTIONALLY GUARANTEED ACTIVITIES IN CERTAIN PRIVATE VENUES. In the past there has been some debate in Utah about employer’s rights to restrict firearms in employee vehicles parked on the property of the employer. The newly passed law in April of 2009 also guarantees the right to transport/maintain firearms in your vehicle while on private property or other public property that might otherwise restrict the possession of firearms.

Reciprocity. In July of 2009 the state of Nevada ceased honoring the Utah Concealed Carry Permit. Utah permit holders be advised that you may no longer carry a concealed weapon in the state of Nevada!!!

If it is any consolation the state of Nebraska began to recognize the Utah Concealed Carry Permit earlier in 2009.

2010 National Parks Restriction

In May 2009 the House voted to pass a credit card bill designed to protect US consumers from unfair practices by credit card companies. Amended at the bottom of the credit card bill is this line:

(Sec. 512) Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from promulgating or enforcing any regulation that prohibits an individual from possessing a firearm, including an assembled or functional firearm, in any unit of the National Park System (NPS) or the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) if: (1) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm; and (2) the possession of the firearm complies with the law of the state in which the NPS or NWRS unit is located.

This change in policy comes after President Obama blocked President Bush’s initial revokation of the no guns policy with an injunction shortly after taking office.

This new law which goes into effect in February 2010 will effectively allow loaded firearms inside of national parks within states that allow that same individual to carry inside of state parks. Currently Utah is among a large number of states that do allow loaded firearms inside of state parks and all public land outside of city limits.