Schools

You MUST Have A Valid Utah Concealed Firearm Permit
To Carry A Firearm In Or On Any School In Utah

Note

• A public or private elementary or secondary school is kindergarten through 12th grade, including charter and religious schools.
• An institution of higher education is a college or university.

Firearms In School Zones

A federal law, the “Gun-Free School Zone Act” (see federal laws below), prohibits firearms within a school zone. Many people, including websites and instructors, lie or mislead you into believing that if you do not have a concealed firearm permit, it is illegal to carry a firearm in a school zone. Federal laws are enforced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) federal law enforcement officers. Utah law enforcement does not enforce this law.

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm, without a concealed firearm permit, while walking on the sidewalk, riding a bicycle, driving, etc., through a school zone as long as you do not go onto the school property unless you meet the requirements under the “Carrying A Firearm On School Property” section below.

• An individual at least 18 years old and not prohibited can openly carry an unloaded firearm through a school zone without a provisional concealed firearm permit.
• An individual at least 21 years old and not prohibited can carry a loaded and concealed firearm through a school zone under Utah’s constitutional carry.

Firearms In Vehicles On School Property

It is LEGAL to have a firearm in a vehicle without a concealed firearm permit as described in 53-5a-102.2. if the vehicle is in the lawful possession of the individual, or the individual has the consent of the person lawfully in possession of the vehicle to carry the firearm in the vehicle. This includes driving through the school zone AND having the firearm stored in your vehicle while parked in the school parking lot as described in 76-11-205 (4)(h),  76-11-205.5 (4)(h), and 76-11-206 (4)(h).

1. It is not a vehicle owned by the school or used by the school to transport students as described in 76-11-205 (4)(h) or 76-11-205.5 (4)(h).
2. It is not a vehicle owned by the daycare or used by the daycare to transport minors enrolled in the daycare as described in 76-11-206 (4)(h).

See firearms in vehicles and parking lots for additional information.

Carrying A Firearm On School Property

It is ILLEGAL, as described in 53-5a-102.2(2)(a) and (b), for an individual to carry a firearm on or about the premises of a public or private elementary school or secondary school as described in 76-11-205, on or about the premises of an institution of higher education as described in 76-11-205.5, or on or about the premises of a daycare as described in 76-11-206, unless you meet specific requirements explained below.

Individuals Who Are 18 To 20 Years Old

It is LEGAL for an individual 18 years old but younger than 21 years old with a valid Utah provisional concealed firearm permit to carry a firearm on or about the premises of an institution of higher education as described in 76-11-205.5 or, on or about the premises of a daycare as described in 76-11-206.

It is ILLEGAL for an individual 18 years old but younger than 21 years old with a valid Utah provisional concealed firearm permit to carry a concealed firearm on or about the premises of a public or private elementary school or secondary school as described in 53-5a-102.2(2)(d).

Individuals Who Are At Least 21 Years Old

It is LEGAL for an individual 21 years old or older with a valid Utah concealed firearm permit or Utah temporary concealed firearm permit to carry a firearm on or about the premises of a public or private elementary school or secondary school as described in 76-11-205, on or about the premises of an institution of higher education as described in 76-11-205.5, or on or about the premises of a daycare as described in 76-11-206.

Exemptions

• An individual is exempt from weapons laws as provided in 53-5a-108.
• The possession is at the individual’s place of residence or on the individual’s property.
• The possession of the dangerous weapon is approved by the responsible school administrator.
• The dangerous weapon is present or to be used in connection with a lawful, approved activity and is in the possession or under the control of the individual responsible for the dangerous weapon’s possession or use.
• The individual is an armed school security guard as described in Section 53G-8-704.

To see a list of public or private preschools, elementary, secondary, and charter schools, see greatschools.org/utah, or for the list of public colleges and universities, see 53B-2-101.

Teachers & School Employees

• NO ONE can require you to notify, or receive permission from, another individual, district employee, principal, staff member, etc., to carry a firearm as long as you have a valid Utah concealed firearm permit or Utah temporary concealed firearm permit.
• You must also follow all district or school policies. For example, the Jordan School District Policy Manual, AA409 – Scope of Employment states, “District property may not be used to hide, cover, or conceal a firearm. A lawfully concealed firearm must be within the employee’s immediate control at all times. Employees must recognize that students could gain access to a firearm that is not properly concealed, or controlled. Therefore, employees must use good judgment and strictly follow the law and this policy.”
• The firearm must be kept in your possession and concealed at all times. The firearm CANNOT be in a desk, briefcase, or bag where a student or anyone else may gain access to or steal it.
• Exemptions are for individuals who are a school guardian as described in 53-22-105 or participate in the Educator-Protector Program as described in 53-22-107. These programs allow the individual to store the firearm on the grounds of a school only if the firearm is stored in a biometric gun safe, the biometric gun safe is located in the individual’s office, and the individual is physically present on the grounds of the school while the firearm is stored in the safe. The individual shall carry the firearm in a concealed manner and may not, unless during an active threat, display or open carry a firearm while on school grounds.
  In addition, a school guardian or participant in the Educator-Protector Program who has active status is not liable for any civil damages or penalties when carrying or storing a firearm, is acting in good faith, is not grossly negligent, or threatens, draws, or otherwise uses a firearm reasonably believing the action to be necessary in compliance with 76-2-402.

Concealed Firearm Permits/Licenses Issued By Another State

It is ILLEGAL for an individual with a permit or license from another state to carry a firearm on any school property listed above as described in 53-5a-102.2(2)(d)(ii).

You must have a valid Utah concealed firearm permit.

Institutions Of Higher Education (Colleges and Universities)

• A public or private institution of higher education can make a rule that allows a dormitory resident to request only roommates who do not have a concealed firearm permit. However, since students are not required to notify the college or university that they have a permit, it would only apply if a roommate found out and made a request.
• A public or private institution of higher education can establish no more than one secure area at each institution as a hearing room as prescribed in 53B-3-103, but not otherwise restrict the lawful possession or carrying of firearms. The restriction of firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons in the secure area hearing room is in effect only during the time the secure area hearing room is in use for hearings and for a reasonable time before and after the hearing. The secure area hearing room must have at least one notice (no weapon sign) displayed at each entrance as described in 76-8-311.1. (3) and provide a secure weapons storage area so that an individual entering the secure area may store the individual’s weapon before entering the secure area. They are also responsible for a weapon while the weapon is stored in the storage area as described in 76-8-311.1. (4).

IMPORTANT!
Some colleges and universities are providing illegal information to students and other individuals. For example, the campus police department for Southern Utah University (SUU) in Cedar City has a document on its website, suu.edu/police/about, titled Firearms frequently asked questions.
Question 16 asks, “Is my CFP from my home state valid in Utah or on Campus?
Utah does honor all valid CFP issued by another state or county as per Utah code 76-10-523(3)(a)(ii).”

In 2024, we contacted the Chief of Police, Carlos Medina, and notified him that it had never been legal for nonresidents to carry a firearm on any institution of higher education property with a nonresident permit or license. Utah law has always required an individual to have a Utah concealed firearm permit to carry a firearm on any school property. We provided all the laws to prove they were wrong, and they continue providing false information.

Effective May 7th, 2025, the law used above “76-10-523” has been recoded to 53-5a-108, and subsection “(3)” has been removed from the law. Information about carrying a firearm can be found in 53-5a-102.2.

Private Schools

Private schools have the right to restrict the possession of firearms because it is private property. Just like any other private property, owners are allowed to have policies that include “no weapons” or “no firearms” allowed on the property. It is important to understand that if you have a Utah concealed firearm permit, it is not illegal to carry a firearm in and on the grounds of any private school even if they have a restrictive policy. This falls under the same category of the no weapon signs. If you are asked to leave, you must leave. A violation could result in being charged with criminal trespassing and/or disorderly conduct. If you are a teacher or employee it could result in termination of employment, or if you are a student you could receive disciplinary action or be dismissed from the school.

Example: Brigham Young University (BYU)
Firearms and other weapons are not permitted – concealed or not concealed, with or without a concealed weapon permit – on property owned or controlled by the university, including on-campus housing, without specific written permission from the managing director of BYU Police and BYU Security. Law enforcement officers, security officers, and ROTC members authorized by this policy to carry a firearm or other weapon on campus do not need specific written permission.
Firearms & Weapons Policy – Firearms and Weapons Procedures – For additional details go to police.byu.edu

• A public or private elementary or secondary school is kindergarten through 12th grade, including charter and religious schools.
• An institution of higher education is a college or university.

• 34-45-107. Exemptions — Limitations on chapter — School premises — Government entities — Religious organizations — Single family detached residential units.
• 47-3-305. Exceptions and prohibitions.
• 53B-2-101. Institutions of higher education — Corporate bodies — Powers.
• 53B-3-102. State institution of higher education defined.
• 53B-3-103. Power of board to adopt rules and enact regulations.
• 53-5a-102.2. Open and concealed carry of a firearm outside of an individual’s residence.
• 53-22-105. Educator-Protector Program.
  
• 53-22-107. Educator-Protector Program.
• 76-3-203.2. Definitions — Use of dangerous weapon in offenses committed on or about school premises — Enhanced penalties.
• 76-8-311.1. Secure areas — Items prohibited — Penalty.
• 76-8-703. Criminal trespass upon an institution of higher education.
• 76-11-205. Carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school.
• 76-11-205.5. Carrying a dangerous weapon at an institution of higher education.
• 76-11-206. Carrying a dangerous weapon at a daycare.

Federal law defines a school zone as 1,000 feet beyond the boundaries of public, private (including religious) elementary and secondary schools, but does not include preschool, child care, colleges or universities.

18 U.S.C. 922 states under Subsection (q)(2) it is unlawful for any individual to knowingly possess a firearm in a school zone unless the individual is licensed by the State in which the school zone is located. This law means, to have a firearm in a school zone, which is 1,000 feet beyond the boundaries of a school, you must have a Utah concealed firearm permit. If you do not have a concealed firearm permit the firearm must be unloaded and in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack that is on a motor vehicle.