LAWS
You can open carry in the state of Utah without a concealed firearms permit if;
You are 18 years or older
Not defined as a prohibited person under 76-10-503 or U.S.C. Title 18
The firearm must be always visible
The firearm is encased or in a holster
Firearm is statutorily unloaded (will be described below)
You are not on a prohibited area 53-5-710 or U.S.C. Title 18
Statutorily unloaded
Semi-Automatic:
You can have a fully loaded magazine inserted.
Must have 2 mechanical actions of the hand gun to fire
This is an empty chamber
First action is pulling back on the slide
Second action is the slide going forward to chamber the round
Any type of safety is not considered in the mechanical action.
Revolver:
Must have two empty chambers in the revolver.
The hammer must rest on the first empty chamber. (Be sure you know which way the cylinder rotates)
Pressing the trigger is one action to spin the cylinder
A Second press of the trigger is the second action of the gun.
You will now be on a chamber with a round.
A six shooter is now a four shooter.
You are legal to carry a fully loaded and concealed firearm without a concealed firearm permit if:
You are on your resident, including temporary resident
Temporary residents include camp, tent,
In your vehicle or in a vehicle you are an occupant with owner’s permission
In your business or under a person’s control.
If you are on duty as a private armed security officer with a valid security permit.
It is a class B misdemeanor to carry a concealed unloaded firearm on a public street without a concealed firearms permit. 76-10-505
HB60 is changing this that if you are 21 or older you will be able to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. There are still some restrictions which will be discussed further down.
You are not required to disclose you have a concealed firearm to an officer if pulled over in a traffic stop.
It is advised, even though it’s not required, to disclose just so they are aware of any firearms in the vehicle or on your person. This may make the interactions move quicker.
Utah prohibited areas:
It is illegal to carry in a prohibited area listed under 53-5-710 Even if you have a concealed firearms permit.
This does not apply to those that are exempt under Utah Code Section 76-10-523
These include:
US Marshal
Federal officer required to carry a firearm
Peace officer of the jurisdiction or any jurisdiction
Law enforcement official qualified and defined under 53-5-711
A judge defined under 53-5-711
A court commissioner defined under 53-5-711
A common carrier while engaged in regular and ordinary transportation of firearms as merchandise
No weapon signs:
It is legal to carry in buldings, not listed as a Utah prohibited area (See law cross section above), if they have a No Firearm sign. Utah Code Section 76-8-311.1
In the code listed under section (e)(ii) it states a “secure area” may not include any area normally accessible by the public.
The business may have a policy that restricts the firearms and may ask you to leave. If you do not leave when asked they can call police to have a trespass issued.
Buying and Selling Firearms Private sales:
It is legal to buy or sell a firearm through a private sale in the state of Utah if:
At least 18 years old
Current resident of the state of Utah
Firearm is legal to posses in the state of Utah without having to fill out the ATF forms (IE class 3 weapons permit)
You do not have to do background checks for a private sale in Utah. It is highly recommended that you do a bill of sale to include the serial number and both buyer and sellers name on it. It’s a good practice to get a picture of an ID and attach it to the bill of sale and lock it in a secure are such as a safe.
Vehicles:
It is legal to carry loaded and concealed in your vehicle if you meet the following criteria without a concealed permit
It is a handgun only
Be 18 years or older
It is your vehicle
You have the consent of the person whom owns the vehicle
Upon exiting the vehicle you must
Unload the firearm to be in the statutorily unloaded state
Open carry in a holster or encased.
Schools:
Standard CFP Holders (21 years or older) can carry
Public and private schools K-12
Public or private higher education institutions (Colleges)
Preschool and child care facilities
Provisional permit holders (18-20 years of age)
Same as above except it is illegal for them to carry on k-12 (public and private) 53-5-710 (2)
Houses of worship:
It is illegal to carry in houses of worship under 76-10-530 if notice has been given.
These houses of worship have given their notice to BCI (link below) with intent to prohibit firearms on their property
Wasatch Presbyterian Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Houses of Worship Prohibiting Firearms on Premises | DPS – Criminal Identification (BCI) (utah.gov)
Airports and flying:
It is legal to have your firearms in the parking lot and in the front end up to the ticket counter.
You may not take them pass the secure area see 53-5-710 and 76-10-529
You can travel with your firearms, but they must be:
In a locked case.
Ammo and Firearm needs to be separate locked cases
Checked at the check-in counter.
Check with each airport and individual airline you plane on traveling from and to for their specific rules of how they need them stored.
State of emergency powers:
It is illegal for anyone, including law enforcement, to confiscate firearms and ammo during a declared state of emergency or even local emergency. See Utah Code Section 53-2a-204 and Utah Code Section 53-2a-214.
House Bill 60
House bill 60 is making it legal for individuals 21 years or older to conceal carry without a permit. This is any legal firearm. Stated as any regular public access. Below are the exceptions to this law
If you do not have a concealed carry permit you cannot:
Carry on a K-12 public or private campus.
Carry in other states that have reciprocity with the Utah concealed firearm permit
Waive the $7.50 fee for background checks at FFL dealers when purchasing a firearm
This law went into effect May 5th, 2021