By: Anthony Morelli
Democrats are having a very difficult time right now.
Watching Donald Trump overhaul the U.S. government hasn’t been pleasant for them.
And now this vote to expand gun rights will send Democrats into meltdown mode.
For any Democrats who are living in the state of Utah, the latest vote on gun issues is going to send them into a meltdown.
They’re already experiencing the total shock and horror that Democrats across America are now experiencing, watching Trump dismantle the entire progressive bureaucracy in this country.
Now they are going to have to cope with the fact that their state appears poised to expand gun freedoms, and the bill that would do that has already passed the House.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed, and Utah’s governor, Spencer Cox, has proven to be more of a moderate Republican on a number of issues.
But so far, the bill seems like it is on the fast track to becoming law, and Cox has not given any public indication that he opposes the bill.
This means there is a high probability that Utah Democrats are going to have to deal with expanded gun freedoms in their state.
According to Bearing Arms, “Utah generally requires gun carriers to be at least 21 years of age, even though neither state or federal law prohibits the keeping of arms for 18, 19, and 20-year-olds. Adults under the age of 21 can apply for a provisional carry license, but if you want to carry a loaded gun without a permit you have to wait until your 21st birthday.
“That quirk in the law may soon be addressed, at least partially, after the Utah State House gave its approval to a bill allowing under-21s the ability to open carry a loaded firearm, while keeping the status quo in place regarding concealed carry.”
In other words, Utah has constitutional carry for some people, but heavy gun restrictions for other people.
Adults under the age of 21 in Utah are not given the full spectrum of their freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution, and this bill is trying to fix that.
According to KSL.com, “Sponsored by House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee, R-Syracuse, HB133 makes several technical changes to the state’s firearms code, while also lowering the age for openly carrying loaded weapons and preventing landlords from prohibiting tenants from possessing firearms in their residences.”
“Lisonbee told KSL.com last year that the distinction between 18-year-olds and 21-year-olds when it comes to open carry law likely runs afoul of anti-age-discrimination law, citing a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision.”
States have a great opportunity now to pass pro-gun legislation while there are Republican majorities in their chambers.
History shows that midterm elections almost always go against the party of the sitting president, and there is a chance that Democrats could pick up seats in 2026.
That means the best chance for Republicans to act is now. It seems that legislators in Utah have realized that, and perhaps other states will follow Utah’s lead very soon.