Utah Prohibited Areas

53-5-710.  Cross-references to concealed firearm permit restrictions.
(1) A person with a permit of any kind to carry a concealed firearm may not carry a concealed firearm in the following locations:
(a) any secure area prescribed in Section 76-10-523.5 in which firearms are prohibited and notice of the prohibition posted;
(b) any airport secure area as provided in Section 76-10-529; or
(c) any house of worship or in any private residence where dangerous weapons are prohibited as provided in Section 76-10-530.
(2) Notwithstanding Subsection 76-10-505.5(2), a person under the age of 21 with a permit of any kind to carry a concealed firearm may not carry a concealed firearm on or about school premises, as defined in Subsection 76-10-505.5(1)(a).

53B-3-103. Power of board to adopt rules and enact regulations.
(1) The board may enact regulations governing the conduct of university and college students, faculty, and employees.
This means the "institution" board can make regulations that control the conduct of students, faculty, and employees.

(2) (a) The board may:
(ii) acknowledging that the Legislature has the authority to regulate, by law, firearms at higher education institutions:
This means that all colleges and universities have to understand that only the Legislature has the authority to regulate firearms at higher education institutions. They are prohibited from making their own policies that restrict firearms.

(A) authorize higher education institutions to establish no more than one secure area at each institution as a hearing room as prescribed in Section 76-8-311.1, but not otherwise restrict the lawful possession or carrying of firearms; and
This means higher education institutions are allowed to have a hearing room in which they can restrict firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons, but they cannot restrict any other lawful carrying of firearms. We will discuss more about this below.

(B) authorize a higher education institution to make a rule that allows a resident of a dormitory located at the institution to request only roommates who are not licensed to carry a concealed firearm under Section 53-5-704 or 53-5-705.
This means that because public higher education institutions cannot prohibit firearms, they are required to allow residents (students) who live in the dorms on the property of the institution to request to live with roommates who do not have a concealed firearm permit. However, since Utah is a closed records state, students cannot be required to tell anyone (including the school)that they have a concealed firearm permit. Therefore no one would know if a student did or did not have a concealed firearm permit unless the student voluntarily told someone.

(b) In addition to the requirements and penalty prescribed in Subsections 76-8-311.1(3), (4), (5), and (6), the board shall make rules to ensure that:
(i) reasonable means such as mechanical, electronic, x-ray, or similar devices are used to detect firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons contained in the personal property of or on the person of any individual attempting to enter a secure area hearing room;
(iii) 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 its use; and
(iv) reasonable space limitations are applied to the secure area hearing room as warranted by the number of individuals involved in a typical hearing.
Back to talking about hearing rooms, Subsection (2)(b)(i), and (iii)  requires reasonable security measures such as mechanical, electronic, x-ray, or similar devices to detect firearms. It also only allows the restriction of firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons while the hearing is in progress and a short period of time before and after the hearing. These hearing rooms can be explained as "mini school courtrooms". While there can be lawyers and witnesses involved it is NOT a judicial proceeding like a court that deals with criminal prosecution such as a district or criminal court. They are typically small conference-style rooms but could be larger, for a panel of school administration to deal with a specific student who violated policies, procedures, or the school code of conduct. Due to the nature of these hearings, this is why all firearms and weapons are prohibited.

53B-3-102. State institution of higher education defined.
(1) As used in this chapter, "state institution of higher education" means an institution described in Section 53B-2-101 or any other university or college that is established and maintained by the state.
(2) A state institution of higher education includes:
(a) a branch or affiliated institution; or
(b) a campus or facilities owned, operated, or controlled by the governing board of the state institution of higher education.

53B-2-101. Institutions of higher education -- Corporate bodies -- Powers.
(1) The following institutions of higher education are bodies politic and corporate with perpetual succession and with all rights, immunities, and franchises necessary to function as such:
(a) the University of Utah;
(b) Utah State University;
(c) Weber State University;
(d) Southern Utah University;
(e) Snow College;
(f) Utah Tech University;
(g) Utah Valley University;
(h) Salt Lake Community College;
(i) Bridgerland Technical College;
(j) Davis Technical College;
(k) Dixie Technical College;
(l) Mountainland Technical College;
(m) Ogden-Weber Technical College;
(n) Southwest Technical College;
(o) Tooele Technical College; and
(p) Uintah Basin Technical College.

76-8-311.1. Secure areas -- Items prohibited -- Penalty.
(1) In addition to the definitions in Section 76-10-501, as used in this section:
(a) "Correctional facility" has the same meaning as defined in Section 76-8-311.3.
It is ILLEGAL to carry, possess, or transport a firearm or dangerous weapon into ANY correctional facility.

• 76-8-311.3. Items prohibited in correctional and mental health facilities -- Penalties.
  (c) "Correctional facility" means:
  (i) any facility operated by or contracting with the Department of Corrections to house offenders in either a secure or nonsecure setting;
  (ii) any facility operated by a municipality or a county to house or detain criminal offenders;
  (iii) any juvenile detention facility; and
  (iv) any building or grounds appurtenant to the facility or lands granted to the state, municipality, or county for use as a correctional facility.

(c) "Law enforcement facility" means a facility which is owned, leased, or operated by a law enforcement agency.
It is ILLEGAL to carry, possess, or transport a firearm or dangerous weapon into ANY law enforcement facility (non-public areas).

(d) "Mental health facility" is as defined in Section 26B-5-301.
It is ILLEGAL to carry, possess, or transport a firearm or dangerous weapon into ANY mental health facility.

• 62A-15-602. (12) "Mental health facility" means the Utah State Hospital or other facility that provides mental health services under contract with the division, a local mental health authority, a person that contracts with a local mental health authority, or a person that provides acute inpatient psychiatric services to a patient.
  (e)(i) "Secure area" means any area into which certain persons are restricted from transporting any firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, or explosive.
  This law also defines a "secure any" area as an area in which certain persons are restricted from transporting any firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, or explosive and that at least one notice shall be prominently displayed at each entrance to an area in which a firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, or explosive is restricted.

(2)(a) A person in charge of the State Tax Commission or a correctional, law enforcement, or mental health facility may establish secure areas within the facility and may prohibit or control by rule any firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, or explosive.
(b) Subsections (2)(a), (3), (4), (5), and (6) apply to higher education secure area hearing rooms referred to in Subsections 53B-3-103(2)(a)(ii) and (b).
(3) At least one notice shall be prominently displayed at each entrance to an area in which a firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, or explosive is restricted.
(4) (a) Provisions shall be made to provide a secure weapons storage area so that persons entering the secure area may store their weapons prior to entering the secure area.
(b) The entity operating the facility shall be responsible for weapons while they are stored in the storage area.
Subsection (2)(a), (b), (3), (4)(a), and (b) requires all prohibited areas including higher education institution hearing rooms, correctional facilities, mental health facilities, and law enforcement facilities to provide a secure storage area so that persons entering the secure area may store their weapons prior to entering the secure area. However, these locations will require you to leave your firearm in your vehicle and not allow you to store the firearm, therefore violating this law.

Penalty:
76-8-311.1. (6)(a) Any person who, without the permission of the authority operating the correctional facility or the secure area of a mental health facility, knowingly possesses at a correctional facility or a secure area of a mental health facility any firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, or implement of escape is guilty of a third degree felony.

76-8-311.3. Items prohibited in correctional and mental health facilities -- Penalties.
(1) As used in this section:
(c) "Correctional facility" means:
(i) any facility operated by or contracting with the Department of Corrections to house offenders in either a secure or nonsecure setting;
(ii) any facility operated by a municipality or a county to house or detain criminal offenders;
(iii) any juvenile detention facility; and
(iv) any building or grounds appurtenant to the facility or lands granted to the state, municipality, or county for use as a correctional facility.
This means all jails, prisons, or other facilities where criminals who have been arrested are kept.

(f) "Mental health facility" means the same as that term is defined in Section 62A-15-602.
Same as described under 76-8-311.1 Secure areas -- Items prohibited -- Penalty. explained above.

(i) "Secure area" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-8-311.1.
Same as described under 76-8-311.1 Secure areas -- Items prohibited -- Penalty. explained above.

(2) Notwithstanding Section 76-10-500, a correctional or mental health facility may provide by rule that no firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, implement of escape, explosive, controlled substance, spirituous or fermented liquor, medicine, or poison in any quantity may be:
(a) transported to or upon a correctional or mental health facility;
(b) sold or given away at any correctional or mental health facility;
(c) given to or used by any offender at a correctional or mental health facility; or
(d) knowingly or intentionally possessed at a correctional or mental health facility.
(3) It is a defense to any prosecution under this section if the accused in committing the act made criminal by this section with respect to:
(a) a correctional facility operated by the Department of Corrections, acted in conformity with departmental rule or policy;
(b) a correctional facility operated by a municipality, acted in conformity with the policy of the municipality;
(c) a correctional facility operated by a county, acted in conformity with the policy of the county; or
(d) a mental health facility, acted in conformity with the policy of the mental health facility.
Goes into detail explaining how firearms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons are prohibited and cannot be brought onto the property for any reason.

(4)(a) An individual who transports to or upon a correctional facility, or into a secure area of a mental health facility, any firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, or implement of escape with intent to provide or sell it to any offender, is guilty of a second degree felony.
Yep, its a felony.
(b) An individual who provides or sells to any offender at a correctional facility, or any detainee at a secure area of a mental health facility, any firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, or implement of escape is guilty of a second degree felony.
Yep, this is a felony too.
(c) An offender who possesses at a correctional facility, or a detainee who possesses at a secure area of a mental health facility, any firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, or implement of escape is guilty of a second degree felony.
Yep, its still a felony.
(d) An individual who, without the permission of the authority operating the correctional facility or the secure area of a mental health facility, knowingly possesses at a correctional facility or a secure area of a mental health facility any firearm, ammunition, dangerous weapon, or implement of escape is guilty of a third degree felony.
Yep, and finally, this is also a felony.

78A-2-203. Rules -- Right to make -- Limitation -- Security.
(2) (a) The judicial council may provide, through the rules of judicial administration, for security in or about a courthouse or courtroom, or establish a secure area as prescribed in Section 76-8-311.1.
Allows courts to be a secure area where firearms are prohibited.
(b) (i) If the council establishes a secure area under Subsection (2)(a), it shall provide a secure firearms storage area on site so that persons with lawfully carried firearms may store them while they are in the secure area.
(ii) The entity operating the facility with the secure area shall be responsible for the firearms while they are stored in the storage area referred to in Subsection (2)(b)(i).
(iii) The entity may not charge a fee to individuals for storage of their firearms under Subsection (2)(b)(i).
Subsections (b)(i), (ii), and (ii) require that courts provide free firearm storage on-site so that persons with lawfully carried firearms may store them while they are in a secure area, and the court is responsible for the firearm while it is being stored. The problem is, the courts violate the law by refusing to provide secure storage. The court's security or police officers will require you to leave your firearm in your vehicle and not allow you to store the firearm.

• 78A-2-103. Definitions.
  (3) "Courts" mean all courts of this state, including all courts of record and not of record.

Penalty:
78A-2-203 (3)(a) Unless authorized by the rules of judicial administration, any person who knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm, ammunition, or dangerous weapon within a secure area established by the judicial council under this section is guilty of a third degree felony.

76-10-530. Trespass with a firearm in a private residence -- Notice -- Penalty.
(1) A person, including a person licensed to carry a concealed firearm pursuant to Title 53, Chapter 5, Part 7, Concealed Firearm Act, after notice has been given as provided in Subsection (2) that firearms are prohibited, may not knowingly and intentionally:
(a) transport a firearm into:
(ii) a private residence; or
(b) while in possession of a firearm, enter or remain in:
(ii) a private residence.
(2) Notice that firearms are prohibited may be given by:
(a) personal communication to the actor by:
(ii) the owner, lessee, or person with lawful right of possession of the private residence; or
(iii) a person with authority to act for the person or entity in Subsections (2)(a)(i) and (ii);
(b) posting of signs reasonably likely to come to the attention of persons entering the house of worship or private residence;
(5) Nothing in this section permits an owner who has granted the lawful right of possession to a renter or lessee to restrict the renter or lessee from lawfully possessing a firearm in the residence.
(6) A violation of this section is an infraction.

This law says that it is ILLEGAL to possess a firearm in someone's home if they have told you in any way that you cannot have the firearm. If someone has a sign posted on their home saying no firearms allowed you cannot carry a firearm into their home unless they give you specific permission.

76-10-505.5. Possession of a dangerous weapon, firearm, or short barreled shotgun on or about school premises -- Penalties.
(1) As used in this section, "on or about school premises" means:
(a)(i) in a public or private elementary or secondary school; or
(ii) on the grounds of any of those schools;
(b)(i) in a public or private institution of higher education; or
(ii) on the grounds of a public or private institution of higher education; and
(iii)(A) inside the building where a preschool or child care is being held, if the entire building is being used for the operation of the preschool or child care; or
(B) if only a portion of a building is being used to operate a preschool or child care, in that room or rooms where the preschool or child care operation is being held.
(2) A person may not possess any dangerous weapon, firearm, or short barreled shotgun, as those terms are defined in Section 76-10-501, at a place that the person knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is on or about school premises as defined in this section.
(3)(a) Possession of a dangerous weapon on or about school premises is a class B misdemeanor.
(b) Possession of a firearm or short barreled shotgun on or about school premises is a class A misdemeanor.
(4) This section does not apply if:
(a) the person is authorized to possess a firearm as provided under Section 53-5-704, 53-5-705, 76-10-511, or 76-10-523, or as otherwise authorized by law;
(b) the person is authorized to possess a firearm as provided under Section 53-5-704.5, unless the person is in a location where the person is prohibited from carrying a firearm under Subsection 53-5-710(2);
(c) the possession is approved by the responsible school administrator;
(d) the item is present or to be used in connection with a lawful, approved activity and is in the possession or under the control of the person responsible for its possession or use; or
(e) the possession is:
(i) at the person's place of residence or on the person's property; or
(ii) in any vehicle lawfully under the person's control, other than a vehicle owned by the school or used by the school to transport students.
(5) This section does not:
(a) prohibit prosecution of a more serious weapons offense that may occur on or about school premises; or
(b) prevent an actor from securely storing a firearm on the grounds of a school if the actor participates in the Educator-Protector Program created in Section 53-22-105 and complies with Subsection 53-22-105(5)(a).

This law says that it is ILLEGAL for any person who is 18 to 20 years old even if they have a valid Utah provisional concealed firearm permit to possess any dangerous weapon, firearm, or short-barreled shotgun on or about school premises that are in a public or private elementary or secondary school or on the grounds of any of those schools. This includes ALL kindergarten through 12th-grade schools.
This law DOES NOT apply to anyone over 21 years of age with a Utah regular concealed firearm permit.

However, this section does not apply if:

• The person is authorized to possess a firearm as provided under Section 53-5-704 (Concealed Firearm Act), 53-5-705 (Temporary permit to carry concealed firearm), 76-10-511 (Possession of loaded firearm at residence or on real property authorized), or 76-10-523 (Persons exempt from weapons laws), or as otherwise authorized by law
• The person is authorized to possess a firearm as provided under Section 53-5-704.5, (Provisional permit to carry concealed firearm) unless the person is in a location where the person is prohibited from carrying a firearm under Subsection 53-5-710(2) (Cross-references to concealed firearm permit restrictions | which is the law we are explaining above that says provisional permit holders are prohibited from having any dangerous weapon, firearm, or short-barreled shotgun on any kindergarten through 12th-grade school premises);
  (c) the possession is approved by the responsible school administrator; (this will most likely never happen)
  (d) the item is present or to be used in connection with a lawful, approved activity and is in the possession or under the control of the person responsible for its possession or use (this will most likely never happen either); or
  (e) the possession is:
  (i) at the person's place of residence or on the person's property (this means you can have the firearm in your home and on your property if it happens to be on school premises); or
  (ii) in any vehicle lawfully under the person's control, other than a vehicle owned by the school or used by the school to transport students. (this means anyone can have a firearm in their personal vehicle while it is parked on any school premises, with or without any type of concealed firearm permit)
  (5) This section does not prohibit prosecution of a more serious weapons offense that may occur on or about school premises.

It makes no sense why this law includes "short barreled shotguns" (SBS) but does not include anything about other National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms such as silencers, short-barreled rifles (SBR), fully automatic firearms, or Any Other Weapon (AOW) that are regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF/BATFE).

Read more information about schools on our page "Schools".