Gun laws in Utah regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Utah in the United States.[1][2][3]
Utah's firearm laws are some of the most liberal firearms laws in the United States, and in the entire world. Utah's firearms laws are intended to protect the second amendment rights of its law-abiding citizens, while at the same time ensuring the safety of the general public. Under Utah law, violent crimes with firearms, criminal possession of firearms, and criminal negligence with firearms may all be prosecuted as felonies, and strictly punished under state law. Being part of the Western United States and Rocky Mountain States, Utah is home to a strong gun culture.
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| Subject/Law | Long guns | Handguns | Relevant Statutes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Permit to Purchase? | No | No | - | Private sales legal, no waiting period. |
| Firearm registration? | No | No | – | None |
| "Assault weapon" law? | No | No | – | None |
| Owner license required? | No | No | - | None |
| Carry permits issued? | Yes | Yes | - | Open carry allowed without permit and concealed carry allowed with permit. |
| State Preemption of local restrictions? | Yes | Yes | - | None |
| NFA weapons restricted? | No | No | - | Possession of NFA firearms in violation of federal law is a third degree felony under state law. However, possession and ownership of NFA firearms and items is legal under state law if federal requirements and laws are followed. |
| Peaceable Journey laws? | Yes | Yes | 76-10-523 | Persons exempt from weapons laws.
(g) a nonresident traveling in or through the state, provided that any firearm is: unloaded; and securely encased as defined in Section 76-10-501. Handguns may be loaded in any vehicle under the person's control. |
| Castle Doctrine? | Yes | Yes | 76-2-402 | Force in defense of person—Forcible felony defined.
A person is justified in threatening or using force against another when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes that force is necessary to defend himself or a third person against such other's imminent use of unlawful force. However, that person is justified in using force intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury only if he or she reasonably believes that force is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to himself or a third person as a result of the other's imminent use of unlawful force, or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony. |
Utah allows for open carry of unloaded firearms without a concealed firearm permit. "Unloaded" as it applies here, means that there is no round in the firing position, and the firearm is at least two "mechanical actions" from firing. As carrying the firearm with the chamber empty, but with a full magazine, meets this definition (the handler must chamber a round, and then pull the trigger), this is a common work around for Utah residents who do not wish to acquire a permit. Without the permit, the firearm must be clearly visible. Utah requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm. With a permit, a person may carry a firearm with a loaded chamber either openly or concealed. Utah will honor a permit issued by any state or county.
Utah law allows for a "Non-Resident" Concealed Firearm Permits to be issued. The Utah Concealed Firearm Permit is valid in thirty-four states across the US. However there are several states that have passed statutes that do not honor a "Non-Resident" permit. For example, Colorado will honor Utah's permit, but the permitee must be a resident of Utah for his permit to be valid. Utah concealed firearm permits are "shall issue" and will be issued to anyone meeting the requirements.
Utah law recognizes a permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by any state or county (76-10-523(2)(b)).[4]
Utah is a "Stand Your Ground" state, in which there is no duty to retreat before use of deadly force, the person reasonably believes that a perpetrator is going to commit a forcible felony in the habitation, and that the force is necessary to prevent the commission of the felony.[5]
In Utah a person may carry firearms in many places not allowed by other states, including (but not limited to): banks, bars, and state parks. With a valid Utah concealed firearm permit you may also carry in schools (K-12 and public colleges). Utah's Uniform Firearm Laws expressly prohibits public schools from enacting or enforcing any rule pertaining to firearms. Accordingly, Utah is the only state in the Union that requires public schools to allow lawful firearms possession.[6]
Utah weapon laws can be found at the Utah State Legislature home page.
Private sales of firearms are legal in Utah.
There are two categories of persons who may not possess firearms or dangerous weapons under Utah law. Penalties for weapons possession by category I restricted persons are more severe than the penalties for possession by category II restricted persons.
Persons who have "been convicted of any violent felony", or are "on probation or parole for any felony", or have been "within the last 10 years an adjudicated delinquent for an offense which if committed by an adult would have been a violent felony" are "A Category I restricted person" under Utah law.
Under Utah law, "A Category I restricted person who intentionally or knowingly agrees, consents, offers, or arranges to purchase, transfer, possess, use, or have under his custody or control, or who intentionally or knowingly purchases, transfers, possesses, uses, or has under his custody or control any firearm is guilty of a second degree felony."
Persons who have "been convicted of or are under indictment for any felony", or have "within the last seven years been an adjudicated delinquent for an offense which if committed by an adult would have been a felony" or are "an unlawful user of a controlled substance", or have "been found not guilty by reason of insanity for a felony offense" or have "been found mentally incompetent to stand trial for a felony offense" or have "been adjudicated as mentally defective as provided in the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act" or are "an alien who is illegally or unlawfully in the United States" or have "has been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces" or have "renounced his citizenship after having been a citizen of the United States" are all category II restricted persons.
A Category II restricted person who purchases, transfers, possesses, uses, or has under his custody or control any firearm is guilty of a third degree felony under Utah law.
A minor under 18 years of age may not possess a dangerous weapon unless he has the permission of his parent or guardian to have the weapon, or is accompanied by a parent or guardian while he has the weapon in his possession. Violation of this law is a class B misdemeanor upon the first offense, and a class A misdemeanor for each subsequent offense.
Under state law, it is illegal for person under the age of 18 (minors) to possess handguns. Violation of this law is a class B misdemeanor upon the first offense, and a class A misdemeanor for each subsequent offense.
A minor in possession of an automatic firearm, sawed off shotgun, or sawed off rifle is guilty of a third degree felony under state law.
Unlawfully providing a handgun to a minor is a class B misdemeanor for the first offense, and a class A misdemeanor for the second and subsequent offenses.
Selling a firearm to a minor under 18 years of age unless the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian is illegal and a third degree felony under Utah state law.
Under Utah state law, "Any person who transfers in violation of applicable state or federal law a sawed-off rifle, sawed-off shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor is guilty of a third degree felony."
Utah is a shall issue state for permits for the concealed carry of firearms. Utah law states "The bureau shall issue a permit to carry a concealed firearm for lawful self defense to an applicant who is 21 years of age or older within 60 days after receiving an application, unless the bureau finds proof that the applicant does not meet the qualifications set forth". Permits are issued to both Utah residents and non residents.
Persons convicted of a felony, any crime of violence, any offense involving alcohol, any offense involving the unlawful use of narcotics or other controlled substances, any offense involving moral turpitude, any offense involving domestic violence, or persons found by any court to be mentally incompetent are automatically barred from being issued a permit. Any person barred by state or federal law from possessing a firearm may not be issued a permit.
Additionally, "The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit if it has reasonable cause to believe that the applicant or permit holder has been or is a danger to self or others as demonstrated by evidence". Examples of such evidence include "past pattern of behavior involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence" or "past participation in incidents involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence". In determining whether the applicant or permit holder has been or is a danger to self or others, the bureau may inspect expunged records of arrests and convictions of adults, and juvenile court records.
However, Utah law also states that "The bureau may not deny, suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit solely for a single conviction for an infraction violation of Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons".
Utah law states that "If a person granted a permit. . . has been charged with a crime of violence in any state, the bureau shall suspend the permit. Upon notice of the acquittal of the person charged, or notice of the charges having been dropped, the bureau shall immediately reinstate the suspended permit".
Permit holders may appeal a permit suspension, denial or revocation. Utah law states that "In the event of a denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit, the applicant or permit holder may file a petition for review with the board within 60 days from the date the denial, suspension, or revocation is received by the applicant or permit holder".
Even with permit, carry is not allowed in churches or religious meetings.
Carrying a concealed firearm without a permit is a class B misdemeanor if the firearm is unloaded, and is a class A misdemeanor if the firearm is loaded. A person who carries concealed a sawed-off shotgun or a sawed-off rifle is guilty of a second degree felony under Utah law. If an unlawfully carried concealed firearm is used in the commission of a violent felony, and the person is a party to the offense, the person is guilty of a second degree felony.
Utah recognizes any firearm carry permit issued by any state of the United States, or any political subdivision thereof.
Any person eligible to possess a firearm may carry that firearm, either concealed or unconcealed, in their own home or property, or on any private property with the consent of the property owner.
Carrying a firearm with the intent to unlawfully assault another is a class A misdemeanor under Utah law.
Drawing or exhibiting a firearm in an angry and threatening manner, or unlawfully using a dangerous weapon in a fight or quarrel in the presence of two or more persons is a class A misdemeanor. This law does not apply when firearms are properly used in self defense.
Negligently discharging a firearm in a manner that disturbs the peace or could damage or harm public or private property is a class B misdemeanor. Discharging a firearm in a manner that significantly endangers any person, or discharging a firearm into any habitable structure is third degree felony. If bodily injury to any person results from such negligent discharge, the offense can be elevated/enhanced to a second or first degree felony, depending upon the severity of the bodily injury or harm caused by the negligent discharge.
Any person who carries a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution of the State of Utah states: "The individual right of the people to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the state, as well as for other lawful purposes shall not be infringed; but nothing herein shall prevent the Legislature from defining the lawful use of arms."
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