House approves changes to voluntary firearm restriction program to aid patients in care settings

The Utah House on Feb. 6 approved HB 300, a bill updating the state's voluntary firearm‑restriction program intended to help people in a suicidal crisis temporarily remove access to firearms.

Representative Kevin Eliason, sponsor on the floor, said the change addresses a logistical barrier in health‑care settings. Under current language, a person had to physically deliver paperwork to a law‑enforcement agency; HB 300 would permit a certified health‑care worker to witness the patient sign the form and submit it to the Bureau of Criminal Identification on the patient’s behalf. Eliason stressed the change is voluntary and framed it as a suicide‑prevention measure: “None of them wanted to die. At the moment, they thought that was the only way out,” he said, describing interviews with survivors of suicide attempts.

Eliason also said the bill removes a prior requirement that participants be entered into an FBI database; instead, names would remain on a state restricted list. The bill adds options for the duration of a voluntary restriction and a mechanism for removal; floor remarks referenced multiple timelines (a 90‑day option and, in follow-up, a 180‑day automatic removal with an earlier‑removal request window), which the sponsor explained in the debate.

Several representatives spoke in support and shared personal stories about friends and family affected by suicide; no floor opposition was recorded. Voting closed with the House reporting 73 yes votes and zero no votes; the measure will be transmitted to the Senate.