Utah Firearm Laws

It is LEGAL, without a valid provisional concealed firearm permit, to open carry (visible at all times) an unloaded firearm in Utah if you are 18 to 20 years old, not a prohibited person as described in Title 76 Chapter 11 Part 3 Persons Restricted Regarding Dangerous Weapons or 18 U.S.C. 922(g).

It is LEGAL, without a concealed firearm permit, to carry a loaded firearm, visible or concealed in Utah if you are at least 21 years old, not a prohibited person as described in Title 76 Chapter 11 Part 3 Persons Restricted Regarding Dangerous Weapons or 18 U.S.C. 922(g).

• It is ILLEGAL to carry a firearm in a state prohibited area or federal prohibited area.
• It is ILLEGAL to carry a firearm on any school premises unless you have a valid Utah concealed firearm permit.

There is NO legal requirement to notify a law enforcement officer that you are in possession of or carrying a firearm. However, it is highly recommended.

It is ILLEGAL, even if you have a valid concealed firearm permit, to carry a firearm or other dangerous weapon, ammunition, or explosive in any secure area.

• “Secure area” means an area created under this section into which certain individuals are restricted from transporting a firearm or other dangerous weapon, ammunition, or explosive.
• “Secure area” does not include any area normally accessible to the public.

An individual cannot carry in any secure area described in Section 76-8-311.1 and Section 53- 5a-S102.2 under Subsection (2)(a), (2)(b), (2)(c), and (2)(d), unless exempt under 53-5a-108.

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm into private businesses with “No Weapon” and “No Firearm” signs.

• These signs have no force of law in Utah, but businesses and property owners can have policies restricting a person from carrying a firearm or other dangerous weapon. If you are asked to leave by the owner or any business employee, you must leave. If you refuse and law enforcement is contacted, you can be charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
• As defined in 76-8-311.1 (1)(a)(vii)(B), a “secure area” may not include any area normally accessible to the public.

It is LEGAL for a Utah resident to purchase ANY firearm in Utah.
It is LEGAL for a non-resident to purchase a rifle and/or shotgun in Utah.
It is LEGAL to purchase and sell firearms through private sales if the buyer and seller are;

• At least 18 years old
• A Utah resident
• Not a prohibited person as described in Title 76 Chapter 11 Part 3 Persons Restricted Regarding Dangerous Weapons and/or 18 U.S.C. 922 (g), (n), or (x).
• Background checks are not required for private sales, but using a Bill of Sale is highly recommended.

It is ILLEGAL, punishable as a Federal felony with up to 10 years in prison, for any individual who makes a profit from buying and selling firearms or ammunition without a Federal Firearms License (FFL).
It is ILLEGAL to purchase a firearm from or sell a firearm to a non-resident of Utah unless the firearm is transferred through a Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer.

It is LEGAL to purchase and possess any NFA firearm such as a silencer, Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR), Short-Barreled Shotgun (SBS), machinegun or Any Other Weapon (AOW), as long as it is properly registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE {more commonly known as the ATF}). The possession and transportation must comply with all state and federal laws.

It is LEGAL to carry a loaded and concealed firearm without a concealed firearm permit in your residence (including any temporary residence or camp) and on your real property (property around your home and other land you own).

• Private property owners can include a provision in a lease, document, or addendum prohibiting firearms in the residence and on the property, so ensure that you read all documents before signing.

It is LEGAL for an individual at least 18 years old, without a concealed firearm permit, to have a loaded and concealed handgun anywhere in their vehicle, or if you have consent from the owner of the vehicle.
All rifles, shotguns, and muzzle-loading rifles must be unloaded, unless you have a valid concealed firearm permit.

It is LEGAL to have a firearm in your vehicle, in any parking lot, unless it is a secure area under state and federal law.

Utah Transit Authority (UTA)

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm on any Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Bus.

Greyhound 

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm into any Greyhound bus terminal.
Greyhound policies DO NOT allow any person to carry a firearm while riding on any Greyhound bus, even with a valid concealed firearm permit, and firearms are NOT allowed in carry-on or checked baggage.
Greyhound Policies: Baggage Information   ~   Permitted and Prohibited Items

Utah Transit Authority (UTA)

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm on any Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Trax and Frontrunner.

Amtrak

It is LEGAL to carry a concealed firearm in any Amtrak train terminal. You can also transport firearms on an Amtrak train in checked luggage only.
Black powder, percussion caps or any ammunition used with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion-cap ignition system or similar type are never permitted; this includes self-loaded, gunpowder-based modern ammunition.
Amtrak Policies: Firearms & Ammunition   ~   Special Items in Baggage   ~   Prohibited Items in Baggage

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm at your place of employment. No law restricts your firearm possession at work unless it is a secure area under state and federal law.

Your employer may have a strict policy about carrying firearms or weapons. Failing to follow the policy can result in being fired for violating the “no weapon” policy.

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.

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.

• Private schools can restrict firearms per their policies and “no weapon” signs.

It is ILLEGAL to carry a firearm, even with a valid concealed firearm permit, into a house of worship or private residence as provided in 53-5a-102.2. Subsections (2)(a), (2)(b), and (2)(c) if notice has been given as provided in 76-11-219.

The following churches have notified BCI of their intent to prohibit firearms in their “houses of worship” | BCI Website

• First Presbyterian Church of Logan
• Wasatch Presbyterian Church
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

It is LEGAL to have firearms secured in a vehicle in the parking lot of an airport.
It is LEGAL to carry a firearm in airport non-secure areas such as airline ticket counters and baggage claim.
It is ILLEGAL to possess any dangerous weapons, firearms, or explosives in any airport secure area as described in 53-5a-102.2 (2)(a)(v), (2)(b)(v), (2)(c)(v), 76-8-311.1, and 76-11-218.

• Traveling with firearms and ammunition must comply with all State and Federal laws, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules, and airline regulations.
• There is a lot of VERY important information including specific information about transporting firearms and ammunition on an airplane that you need to know. We break down all the difficult and confusing information out there and made it very easy for you.

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm into a restaurant or bar that serves alcohol.

Do Not Drink And Drive! – Do Not Drink And Carry A firearm!

It is ILLEGAL to carry a dangerous weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with or without a permit.

• Blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) is over .05
• Commercial Drivers License (CDL) holder BAC is over .04
• If you are under 21 years old, Utah has a “ZERO TOLERANCE” policy for underage drinking. You cannot have ANY measurable amount of alcohol in your system.

It is LEGAL to carry a firearm in any state park, state wildlife management area (WMA), state and national wildlife areas and refuges, national forests, and national parks in Utah if you are carrying a firearm as described in 53-5a-102.2, and not a prohibited person as described in Title 76 Chapter 11 Part 3 Persons Restricted Regarding Dangerous Weapons or 18 U.S.C. 922(g).

It is ILLEGAL to carry a firearm in any buildings owned by the federal government.
This includes, but is not limited to, government offices, visitor centers, ranger stations, fee collection buildings, and maintenance facilities. All federal buildings must be posted, or you must be informed that they are federal buildings.

Note:

• Restrooms and picnic shelters that are free-standing and not part of another building should not be considered a federal building.
• Remember that National Forests, National Parks, National Wildlife Areas, and Refuges can be in multiple states, and the laws governing firearms may change depending on your location.

It is ILLEGAL for a minor to possess a handgun, short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun, fully automatic weapon, or machinegun firearm attachment.

• There are exceptions if the minor meets specific requirements described in 76-11-211, such as target concessions, hunter’s safety or firearms safety courses, shooting ranges, competitions, hunting, and traveling to or from these activities.

It’s not surprising that most people do not know the self-defense and defense of property laws, and when you can legally use force up to and including deadly force in the state of Utah. It’s not something an average citizen knows, but it is something that you HAVE to know.

It is LEGAL to ship firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition but it is now a little complicated. It must be done in compliance with federal laws and shipping company policies.

It is ILLEGAL for anyone, including law enforcement, to confiscate legal firearms and ammunition during a declared state of emergency or local emergency.

See all concealed firearm laws in Chapter 5 Regulation of Firearms, Part 7 Concealed Firearm Act.

Get quick, detailed information on hunting various animals, guidebooks, hunting dates, and more.

See state and federal Black Powder laws.

The Utah State-Made Firearms Protection Act was passed in 2010. It addresses the legal status of a firearm manufactured in the state for use within the state and provides that a firearm or one of the various firearm-related items manufactured in the state for in-state use is not subject to federal firearms laws and regulations.

See the Constitution of Utah – Firearm Laws Constitution of Utah, Article I, Section 1. [Inherent and inalienable rights.], Section 6. [Right to bear arms.] and other important information.

It is LEGAL to own and carry any type of knife in the State of Utah as long as you are not a restricted person as defined in 76-11 Part 3.
Legal knives include a butterfly knife, dirk, dagger, stiletto, bowie knife, automatic, gravity, switchblade or a disguised knife (in a belt buckle, necklace, etc.)