Law Enforcement Contact
Utah does not require individuals who are in lawful possession of a firearm to voluntarily notify law enforcement officers during a routine encounter.
This applies to traffic stops and other law enforcement contacts.
Duty To Notify Law Enforcement
No Duty To Notify
Individuals who are in lawful possession of a firearm are not required to voluntarily notify law enforcement officers that they are carrying or possessing a firearm.
This applies whether the firearm is carried on your person or lawfully kept in a vehicle.
Voluntary Notification
You may choose to tell an officer that you are carrying a firearm.
If you disclose the firearm, tell the officer its location without touching or reaching toward it.
During A Traffic Stop Or Police Encounter
What You Should Do
- Keep your hands visible.
- Remain calm and communicate clearly.
- Follow lawful instructions from the officer.
- If you tell the officer about your firearm, identify its location without reaching for it.
What You Should Avoid
- Do not reach for, handle, display, or move your firearm during the encounter without clear lawful direction.
- Do not suddenly reach into your waistband, pocket, glove compartment, or vehicle console near a firearm.
- Do not attempt to retrieve a concealed firearm permit or other documents from near a firearm without explaining what you are doing.
- Do not interfere with lawful officer instructions.
If An Officer Notices Your Firearm
An officer may take reasonable safety precautions during the encounter, including temporarily securing a firearm when legally justified.
The presence of a firearm does not automatically mean you have committed a crime.
Concealed Firearm Permit Information & Privacy
Can Police See That You Have A Concealed Firearm Permit?
Yes. Utah law enforcement officers can access concealed firearm permit information through authorized law enforcement records systems.
An officer may discover that you have a Utah Concealed Firearm Permit during an identification or records check.
How Officers Can Find Your Permit Information
Name and date of birth: An officer can use identifying information to check law enforcement records and determine whether a Utah concealed firearm permit is recorded for you.
Driver's license: When an officer checks your identity using your driver's license, the officer can also access available concealed firearm permit information.
Vehicle license plate: A plate check can identify a vehicle's registered owner. An officer can use that information to perform an additional records check for a concealed firearm permit.
Vehicle registration: Registration information can identify the registered owner, allowing an officer to check that person's permit status.
Direct permit check: Officers with authorized access can check available Utah concealed firearm permit records to determine whether a permit is recorded and its status.
A license plate or registration check does not establish that the registered owner is driving the vehicle, or that anyone inside is carrying a firearm.
Protected Permit Records
Utah protects personal information maintained in concealed firearm permit records, including:
- Names
- Addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
These records are not available for unrestricted public disclosure.
Law Enforcement Access
The privacy protections do not prevent law enforcement officers from accessing concealed firearm permit records for authorized duties.
Utah law also allows specified disclosures to other law enforcement agencies and federal officers during investigations, prosecutions, and certain routine law enforcement contacts.
What Your Permit Status Does Not Tell Police
Having a concealed firearm permit does not mean you are carrying a firearm.
Utah also allows concealed carry without a permit for individuals who meet the state's requirements. Therefore, not having a permit does not establish that carrying a firearm is unlawful.
Applicable Utah Law
ADMIN VIEW ONLY – As of March 10th, this page had 3,932 views.