Overview
- Rep. Candice Pierucci introduced HB452 to require private entities that have received more than $1 million in public funds to allow concealed‑firearm permit holders to carry at events.
- The proposal would apply to Salt Lake City’s Delta Center, home to the NBA’s Jazz and the NHL’s Utah Mammoth, and could reach other events such as Real Salt Lake matches and the Utah State Fair.
- Existing NBA and NHL arena policies prohibit firearms and the Delta Center uses metal detectors, setting up a direct conflict if the measure advances.
- Pierucci says the effort was prompted by a constituent barred from carrying at games and argues that accepting taxpayer money should not coincide with restricting Second Amendment rights.
- Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd says he must study the bill’s impact, and Pierucci notes federal rules mean the airport—and possibly 2034 Olympic venues—would be exempt.