Firearms In Vehicles

It is LEGAL for any individual who is at least 18 years old and not a prohibited person as defined in 76-11 Part 3. or 18 U.S.C. 922(g) to have a fully loaded handgun anywhere in a vehicle including concealed on your body if it is your vehicle or you have consent from the owner of the vehicle.

It is ILLEGAL to have a loaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in a vehicle unless you have a valid concealed firearm permit and it is your vehicle or you have consent from the owner of the vehicle.

It is ILLEGAL to possess or carry any firearm, even if unloaded, in a vehicle in any state prohibited area or federal prohibited area, such as correctional facilities, mental health facilities, military bases, post offices, etc., which may include parking lots.

There is no requirement to notify a law enforcement officer if you are in the possession of, or have a firearm in your vehicle.
See Duty To Notify Law Enforcement

Commercial Drivers License (CDL)

Many people have asked questions about having a firearm while driving a vehicle for their employer if they have a CDL.

A commercial vehicle is defined in 41-1a-102 and means a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer used or maintained for the transportation of persons or property that operates as a carrier for hire, compensation, or profit, or as a carrier to transport the vehicle owner’s goods or property in furtherance of the owner’s commercial enterprise.

The same things apply to commercial vehicles as it does to personally owned vehicles. It is not illegal to have a firearm in the vehicle (as described in the section above) even if your employer has a written policy or has told you “no firearms or weapons in our vehicles”. The only thing that could happen, if they found out, is to terminate your employment.

However, as explained in 76-11-205 and 76-11-206, if the vehicle is owned by the school or daycare or used by the school or daycare to transport students (school bus), possession of a firearm is a class A misdemeanor, or possession of a dangerous weapon is a class B misdemeanor.

Exiting Vehicles With Firearms

  • If you are at least 18 years old and DO NOT have a valid provisional concealed firearm permit the handgun must be unloaded AND in plain view “open carry
  • If you are at least 18 years old with a valid provisional concealed firearm permit you can carry any legally owned firearm fully loaded AND concealed
  • If you are at least 21 years old you can carry any legally owned firearm fully loaded AND concealed with a valid concealed firearm permit or without a concealed firearm permit under Utah’s constitutional carry law

It is LEGAL to store firearms in the vehicle in any parking lot, unless prohibited by state or federal law, as long as the firearm is secured in the vehicle or in a locked container attached to the vehicle, and the firearm cannot be seen from the outside of the vehicle. See the parking lot law.

Traveling Out Of State With Firearms

It is LEGAL to transport firearms in a vehicle while traveling through another state, as described in 18 USC § 926A, if;

  • The firearm and ammunition is legal within the state
  • The firearm is unloaded (no ammunition in the firearm)
  • The firearm and any ammunition being transported are not readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment (trunk). If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment (pickup truck, motorcycle, etc) the firearm and ammunition shall be contained in a locked container, AND
  • The firearm is secured (locked) in an area other than the glove compartment or console.

Be aware that some states have very strict gun laws. Police can and most likely will arrest you even if you are complying with federal law

Note:
This generally does not apply to handguns for individuals who have a valid concealed firearm permit in a state that recognizes the Utah permits, you must ensure that you know and follow all laws of the states you are traveling into.

State Laws

  • 34-45-103. Protection of certain activities — Firearms — Free exercise of religion.
  • 34-45-107. Exemptions — Limitations on chapter — School premises — Government entities — Religious organizations — Single family detached residential units.
  • 41-1a-102. Definitions.
  • 41-22-2. Definitions.
  • 53-3-220. Offenses requiring mandatory revocation, denial, suspension, or disqualification of license — Offense requiring an extension of period — Hearing — Limited driving privileges.
  • 53-5a-101.5. Definitions.
  • 53-5a-102. Uniform firearms laws.
  • 53-5a-102.2. Open and concealed carry of a firearm outside of an individual’s residence.
  • 53-5a-108. Individuals who are exempt from certain weapons laws.
  • 76-11-202. Unlawful carrying of a concealed firearm by an individual under 21 years old.
  • 76-11-204. Unlawfully carrying a firearm in a vehicle.
  • 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.
  • 76-11-209. Improper discharging of a dangerous weapon.
  • 76-11-210. Felony discharge of a firearm.
  • 76-11-217. Carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Federal Laws

18 U.S.C. 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms
Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.