It is LEGAL to carry a firearm at your place of employment. There is no law restricting your possession of a loaded firearm at work if you have a concealed firearm permit or under constitutional carry.

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm in your business or on your property (without a permit) as described in 76-10-500. This means that you own the business.

  • Private employers have the right to create a “no weapon” policy that prohibits firearms in the building. Failure to follow the policy could result in disciplinary action, including termination.
  • Public employers which include a local authority or state entity cannot create a policy, including employment policy about firearms that restricts or inhibits the possession or use of firearms.
  • Employers cannot create a policy that prohibits firearms in their parking lots unless they meet specific requirements or are exempt under the law.
  • Public schools cannot prohibit employees, such as teachers or other staff, from carrying a firearm if they have a valid Utah concealed firearm permit.

See more information on firearms in Vehicles, Parking Lots, and Schools.

Legal Case

In September 2015, the Utah Supreme Court issued a strong endorsement of self-defense as public policy in a claim arising out of private action in the case Ray v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. The court held that an employee’s right of self-defense trumps an employer’s right to fire an employee, including an employee who can usually be terminated without specific cause (an “at-will” employee.)

Although this case does not have anything to do with firearms, it could be used by legal counsel in a lawsuit for wrongful termination.

Laws

76-10-500. Uniform law.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Directive" means the same as that term is defined in Section 78B-6-2301.
(b) "Firearm" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53-5a-102.
(c) "Local or state governmental entity" means the same as that term is defined in Section 78B-6-2301.
(2) The individual right to keep and bear arms being a constitutionally protected right under Article I, Section 6, of the Utah Constitution and the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Legislature finds the need to provide uniform civil and criminal laws throughout the state and declares that the Legislature occupies the whole field of state regulation of firearms.
(3) Except as specifically provided by state law, a local or state governmental entity may not:
(a) prohibit an individual from owning, possessing, purchasing, selling, transferring, transporting, or keeping any firearm at the individual's place of residence, property, business, or in any vehicle lawfully in the individual's possession or lawfully under the individual's control; or
(b) require an individual to have a permit or license to purchase, own, possess, transport, or keep a firearm.
(4) This part is uniformly applicable throughout this state and in all the state's political subdivisions.
(5) Authority to regulate firearms is reserved to the state except where the Legislature specifically delegates responsibility to local or state governmental entities.
(6) Unless specifically authorized by the Legislature by statute, a local or state governmental entity may not enact or enforce a directive pertaining to firearms that in any way inhibits or restricts the possession, ownership, purchase, sale, transfer, transport, or use of firearms on either public or private property.
(7) This part does not restrict or expand private property rights.
(8) A violation of this section is subject to Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 23, Firearm Preemption Enforcement Act.

See more important laws for firearms in Vehicles and Parking Lots