Protect Teens with Stricter Utah Gun Laws

News stories of teens using guns are filling news feeds lately, causing some to wonder if having stricter Utah gun laws would protect teens from making horrific mistakes, or at least limit their violent resources.

15 year old charged with 1st degree murder

Earlier this month a 15 year old Salt Lake City boy ended an altercation with a 22 year old man by shooting him in the chest after they exited a city bus. The teen not only ended the life of the 22 year old victim, he severely damaged his own. He was charged with 1st degree murder and three counts of 2nd degree discharge of a firearm and will likely see many years behind bars.

How Utah gun laws compare

Utah is one of the most relaxed states when it comes to firearms. Right up there with Montana and other gun friendly states of the Rocky Mountains, Utah is a proud supporter of the 2nd amendment. Nevertheless, common citizens packing heat while they dine at a restaurant or teenagers taking out their frustrations with a pistol they received from who-knows-where seems a little distant from exercising our constitutional right to protect ourselves “as a well-regulated militia”.

Faulty precautions and our youth that pay for it

Utah gun laws do not allow teens to possess a firearm (unless while hunting under the watchful eye of an adult). This simple gun law of being 18 or older does as little for keeping guns away from teens as it does for keeping them clear of cigarettes or alcohol. With stricter Utah gun laws, we can remove from play a vehement pawn used by teens when they are overreacting, angry, irritated, or any other array of feelings that hormonal juveniles can feel in a matter of seconds. For legal counsel on juvenile firearm charges and penalties, contact a criminal defense attorney today.