SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A legislative proposal inspired by the shooting death of a University of Utah student that would have held gun owners civilly liable if they lend out a firearm used in a crime has hit another roadblock.
The house judiciary committee voted unanimously Monday not to send the proposal to the House after gun rights advocates testified that the proposal puts too much blame on the gun owner rather than the one committing the crime.
Democratic sponsor Rep. Andrew Stoddard says he knew it was a longshot to pass. He had dubbed the measure "Lauren's Law" after slain student Lauren McCluskey. She was fatally shot last year on campus by an ex-boyfriend who was using a borrowed gun.
The bill would have made it a felony crime for a gun owner if the weapon was borrowed out and used in a crime.