SALT LAKE CITY -- Gov. Gary Herbert vetoed House Bill 76 on Friday, which would give Utahns the right to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Governor Herbert has said that he supports current law that requires a permit to carry a concealed weapon and is opposed to HB 76, but he never indicated whether he would veto the legislation before making the decision official.
"We went through HB 76 reviewed it line item by line item and yesterday afternoon I decided to veto the bill," Herbert said.
Herbert says concealed carry permits help law enforcement without restricting gun rights.
"We have a lot of people that apply for a concealed weapon that are turned down for a variety of reasons. Criminal history that's found in the background check. Mental instabilities," Herbert said.
The controversial legislation passed through the Utah House with a 51-18 vote (6 not voting) and Senate with a 22-7 vote, and now the question is whether lawmakers will make an effort to override the veto.
The decision to veto could put Herbert in trouble with the grassroots of his own party.
"I understand that there's differences of opinion out there and I respect that. I'm not offended that they don't agree with me and I hope they're not offended that I don't agree with them," Herbert said.
Speaker of the House Rebecca Lockhart, R-Provo, says that if the legislature does attempt an override, they will have to meet in an override session before May 13.
