The NRA-ILA has learned that the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) is planning to increase the cost of a Utah Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP) by more than 50%. BCI has confirmed to NRA that it is their intention to raise the fee by $20, effective July 1. Currently, first time resident CFP applicants pay a $37 fee to BCI. That $37 consists of a state fee of $24.75 plus a $12 fee charged by the FBI to process fingerprint cards. These fees are authorized under the Utah State Code. If the fee increase is implemented, the state portion of the fee would increase over 80%, and the overall cost of applying for an initial CFP will increase from $37 to $57.
Separate from the statutes dealing with Concealed Firearm Permits, there is another section of Utah Code that authorizes BCI to charge a $20 fee to process fingerprint cards for a variety of external agencies, individuals and entities (criminal justice agencies as well as background checks for teachers, doctors, etc.) BCI now wants to apply this section of code to CFP applicants, thereby raising the overall cost by 54%. NRA has reached out to BCI, key legislators who are in a position to oversee BCI activities, as well as the Governor’s office to identify for what purposes the revenue generated by the proposed increase would be used.
NRA opposes raising permit fees because it will adversely impact the ability of law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm for self-defense. We have worked tirelessly over the years in Utah and other states to reign in excessive fees charged for concealed firearm permits. There have been times in the past when CFP fees were being used to fund government programs unrelated to the issuance of these permits. We will continue to work hard to make certain that won’t happen again.
NRA-ILA will provide an update when additional information is obtained and furnish direction for concerned NRA members to take action if and when such is deemed appropriate.
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