Minors & Firearms
Utah has specific laws governing firearm possession, firearm transfers, and supervised activities involving individuals younger than 18.
Certain possession is prohibited, while state law provides exceptions for activities involving parental permission, supervision, hunting, firearm training, and target shooting. Federal handgun restrictions also apply.
Firearm Possession By Minors
What Minors Cannot Possess
Utah restricts possession of dangerous weapons by individuals younger than 18. Certain firearms carry more serious penalties when possessed in violation of Utah law.
Prohibited Firearms & Devices
Unless a legal exception applies, minors younger than 18 are prohibited from possessing dangerous weapons. Violations involving the following firearms or devices carry additional penalties:
- Handguns
- Short-barreled rifles
- Short-barreled shotguns
- Fully automatic firearms
- Machinegun firearm attachments
Applicable Exceptions
Utah law recognizes exceptions involving parental permission, adult supervision, hunting, firearm safety courses, target shooting, and other authorized activities.
Federal handgun restrictions apply separately and may require written parental permission.
Age Requirements & Parental Permission
Minors Younger Than 14
A minor younger than 14 may possess a dangerous weapon when:
- The minor has permission from a parent or guardian.
- The minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult while possessing the weapon.
Minors Ages 14–17
A minor who is at least 14 but younger than 18 may possess a dangerous weapon with permission from a parent or guardian.
Additional state and federal restrictions apply to particular firearms, especially handguns.
Firearms Purchased As Gifts
Utah law recognizes circumstances where a firearm is purchased as a gift for a minor. A lawful gift does not authorize firearm possession or transfer prohibited by federal law.
Selling Firearms To Minors
Utah law addresses firearm sales to minors accompanied by a parent or guardian. Federal firearm sales and transfer restrictions must also be followed.
Utah Carry Laws does not recommend selling firearms directly to minors.
Activities Allowed Under Utah Law
Hunter & Firearm Safety Courses
A minor attending a hunter safety or firearm safety course may possess a firearm as part of the authorized instruction.
Hunting
A minor holding a valid hunting license may possess a firearm while participating in lawful hunting.
Target Shooting
A minor may possess a firearm while using it at an established shooting range or another location where firearm discharge is lawful.
Organized Competitions
Minors may possess firearms while participating in organized shooting competitions or practicing for those competitions.
Private Real Property
Firearm possession may be allowed on real property with permission from the owner, licensee, or lessee, and the required permission from a parent, guardian, or authorized property controller.
Travel To & From Activities
A minor may possess an unloaded firearm while traveling to or from an activity authorized under Utah law.
Amusement Parks & Target Concessions
A minor may possess a firearm at a lawfully operated target concession at an amusement park, pier, or similar location when the firearm is firmly chained or attached to the counter.
Federal Requirements
Federal law imposes additional requirements on juvenile possession of handguns and ammunition suitable only for handguns. Utah's activity exceptions do not replace federal requirements.
Federal Handgun Restrictions
Federal Prohibitions
Federal law prohibits knowingly selling, delivering, or transferring a handgun or ammunition suitable only for a handgun to someone known or reasonably believed to be younger than 18.
Individuals younger than 18 are also prohibited from knowingly possessing a handgun or handgun-only ammunition unless a statutory exception applies.
Authorized Activities
Federal exceptions address temporary handgun possession or use involving:
- Employment
- Ranching and agricultural activities
- Target practice
- Hunting
- Instruction in safe and lawful handgun use
These exceptions have specific requirements involving parental or guardian permission and compliance with state and local law.
Written Permission & Transportation
Federal law requires prior written permission from a parent or guardian who is not prohibited from possessing firearms for covered activities.
The minor must carry the required written permission while possessing the handgun, except in circumstances specifically addressed by federal law.
One exception covers direct transportation of an unloaded handgun in a locked container between the location of transfer and an authorized activity.
Agricultural activities have additional requirements involving written permission and adult direction.
Other Federal Exceptions
- Service in the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard while armed in the line of duty.
- Inheritance of title to a handgun or handgun ammunition, without automatically transferring possession.
- Taking possession of a handgun or ammunition to defend the minor or another person against an intruder in the minor's residence or a residence where the minor is an invited guest.
Seizure & Return Of Property
Federal law addresses returning a lawfully transferred handgun or ammunition when later possession becomes unlawful because of the minor's conduct.
The property is not automatically subject to permanent forfeiture and must be returned to its lawful owner when it is no longer required for investigation or prosecution.
For federal juvenile handgun restrictions, a juvenile is an individual younger than 18 years old.