Places Of Employment

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm in your business or on your property, without a permit, as described in 53-5a-102. This means that you own the business.

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm at your place of employment. There is no law restricting your possession of a firearm at work if you have a concealed firearm permit or under constitutional carry. Just like other private property, an employer has the right to adopt a “no weapons” policy prohibiting firearms in the building(s). Failing to comply with the policy may result in disciplinary action, including termination. The employer cannot create a policy prohibiting firearms in your vehicle or in their parking lots, even if they have a controlled access gate, unless they meet specific requirements or are exempt under the law.

• 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.
• Public schools (kindergarten through 12th grade) cannot prohibit employees, such as teachers or other staff, from carrying a firearm if they have a valid Utah concealed firearm permit.

Legal Case

In September 2015, the Utah Supreme Court issued a strong endorsement of self-defense as public policy in a case arising out of private action, 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 involve firearms, legal counsel could use it in a wrongful termination lawsuit.