Standard-Examiner editorial page editor?

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n the May 3 Standard-Examiner, we editorialized that Utah needed tougher requirements in its classes for gun owners to earn a concealed weapons carry permit. (“Tougher gun classes needed”) The editorial board also suggested that Utah emulate New Mexico, which requires a 15-hour course and also that the applicant show skill at a firing range.?

The editorial prompted a lot of debate, both in support and against. I recently had the opportunity to talk with state Rep, Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, who plays a significant role in how Utah runs its CCW permit classes. Oda, a critic of our editorial, presented a defense of Utah’s concealed weapons carry laws, and a criticism of New Mexico’s policy.?The chief difference, explains Oda, is that Utah’s classes are designed to stress safety, defense, avoidance of aggression and a clear understanding that if a gun is fired, there remain potential criminal and civil consequences for the permit holder.?”A permit is not a permit to use. It is a permit to carry and keep loaded (a concealed weapon),” said Oda. Stopping the threat, rather than killing or harming someone, is the purpose in Utah’s classes. Oda describes New Mexico’s policy as “overkill,” and adds that its requirements to show skill at a firing range is comparable to applicants learning how to kill. ?The adrenaline that results from a dangerous situation that might require a firearm is difficult for even experienced law enforcement professionals to handle, Oda said. “Defense and safety,” or preventing a predator from feeling he can attack you, is the key to effective use of a concealed weapons permit, Oda added.?Another criticism Oda has of New Mexico’s policy is that its long classes, high price and expensive renewal requirements are a method by that state to garner more revenue from taxpayers. “We, in Utah, feel that the cost of fees for the CCW program should only cover the cost of that program. To charge more, just to raise more revenue for purposes other than that program, is a discriminate unfair tax on those citizens in that program,” he said.?In Utah, a CCW class lasts between four and five hours. The intent is to teach passive defense, says Oda. He believes that concept is misunderstood by many critics of the classes. Criminals are looking for people they perceive are weak, says Oda. If the criminal encounters a weapon from someone they are testing as a crime victim, the criminal will move on in search of other victims. Oda said that in Utah he’s happy to see more women taking the concealed carry weapons course and hopes that trend continues.?In Utah, a base price for a permit class is about $85, not counting costs for fingerprints or background checks, says Oda. In the debate over what type of class to have, Oda reminds Utahns that a permit mainly allows holders to keep a weapon concealed and loaded. It is not, in the James Bond lexicon, a “license to kill.” If a CCW permit holder abuses the privilege the permit grants, he or she will face the same legal consequences as anyone else. However, that would be a rare occurrence, as the permit classes, as mentioned, stress safety, defense, and avoidance rather than aggression, he adds.?

Gibson is the Standard-Examiner’s editorial page editor. He can be reached at dgibson@standard.net.