Utah CFP Guide

Utah Concealed Firearm Permit Basics

Utah issues concealed firearm permits through the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), inside the Department of Public Safety. The standard permit goes to applicants 21 and older and runs five years statewide under Utah Code 53-5a-303. The provisional permit goes to applicants 18 to 20 and expires on the holder's 21st birthday under Utah Code 53-5a-304. Utah also allows most adults 21 and older to carry concealed without a permit under Utah Code 53-5a-102.2, so a permit is worth holding for what it adds: fewer place restrictions, a dealer background check exemption, and recognition in other states.

The scheme was renumbered effective May 7, 2025. Permits now sit in Utah Code Title 53, Chapter 5a, Part 3, and the weapons offenses a permit protects you from sit in Title 76, Chapter 11. Any outline, manual, or website still citing 53-5-704 or 76-10-504 is built on repealed numbering.

The four permit types

The LEOJ certificate is not a fancier permit: Utah Code 53-5a-311(2) opens "To qualify for an exemption in Section 53-5a-108," and Utah Code 53-5a-108(1)(d) through (f) lifts Chapter 5a Parts 1 and 3 and Title 76, Chapter 11 off a certificate holder, except Utah Code 76-11-207, 76-11-209, and 76-11-210.

BCI is the issuer, and the clock is 60 days

BCI must issue a standard permit to a qualified applicant 21 or older within 60 days of receiving the application, unless it finds proof the applicant is not qualified under Utah Code 53-5a-303(2) or (3). The same deadline applies to provisional permits under Utah Code 53-5a-304(1)(a). There is no county sheriff step. Applications go to BCI in Taylorsville.

Utah Code 53-5a-303(6) requires a permanent residence address, a recent dated photograph, one set of fingerprints, and evidence of firearms familiarity. Rule R722-300-4 adds the bureau's form, a driver license or state ID photocopy, an FBI fingerprint card (Form FD-258), the fees, and any mitigating information. BCI will not accept an application more than 90 days before the eligibility date.

Under Utah Code 53-5a-303(5), BCI shall also issue a permit to a former peace officer who departs full-time peace officer employment in an honorable manner, within five years of departure, if the officer meets the section's other requirements.

Who qualifies

Utah is shall-issue with a defined list of disqualifiers. Under Utah Code 53-5a-303(2)(a), BCI may deny, suspend, or revoke a permit if the applicant or holder has been or is convicted of a felony, a crime of violence, or an offense involving the use of alcohol, the unlawful use of narcotics or other controlled substances, moral turpitude, or domestic violence. It also reaches an applicant adjudicated mentally incompetent by a state or federal court, unless that adjudication was withdrawn or reversed, and one barred from purchasing and possessing a firearm under Title 76, Chapter 11, Part 3, or federal law.

Watch the definition of "conviction" in Utah Code 53-5a-301(6). It reaches a guilty plea, a no contest plea, a plea held in abeyance pending probation, a pending diversion agreement, and a conviction later reduced under Utah Code 76-3-402.

BCI must consider mitigating circumstances under Utah Code 53-5a-303(2)(b). For convictions that are not registerable sex offenses, Rule R722-300-4(5)(b) sets the standard at five years elapsed for a class A misdemeanor, four for a class B, and three for any other misdemeanor or infraction, measured from conviction or from release from incarceration, parole, or probation, whichever came last. That path is closed to anyone barred from possessing a firearm.

Utah Code 53-5a-303(3)(a) also lets BCI act on reasonable cause to believe the applicant is a danger to self or others, based on a past pattern of unlawful violence or threats, participation in violent incidents, or a Title 76, Chapter 11 conviction. A single infraction-level conviction there cannot by itself support the action, per 53-5a-303(3)(b).

Nonresidents can hold a Utah permit. If the applicant lives in a state that recognizes the Utah permit or has reciprocity with Utah, Utah Code 53-5a-303(4)(a) requires a current home-state concealed firearm or weapon permit and a copy of it, on renewals as well as new applications, and knowingly and willfully giving false information there bars a Utah permit for 10 years. Active duty service members reporting for duty in Utah, and spouses stationed with them, are excused on presenting the duty orders.

The training requirement

Utah Code 53-5a-303(8)(a) defines general familiarity as training in the safe loading, unloading, storage, and carrying of the firearms to be concealed, plus current law on lawful use by a private citizen, including self-defense, deadly force, transportation, and concealment. An applicant satisfies it through a bureau-approved training organization, a bureau-certified instructor, or equivalent experience in shooting competition, law enforcement, or military service. Under Utah Code 53-5a-303(8)(c), student instruction must be in person and not through electronic means. Rule R722-300-4(2) requires the signed certificate to bear the instructor's official seal and to have issued within a year of the application date.

What the permit actually authorizes

Utah Code 53-5a-303(1)(c) makes the standard permit valid statewide for five years, without restriction, except as provided by Utah Code 53-5a-102.2. Under 53-5a-102.2(1)(c), a permit holder may open or conceal carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in a vehicle in which the holder is lawfully present, on a public street, and in any other place not prohibited by state statute or federal law.

The limits run through Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2)(c), which has two halves. Under (2)(c)(i), a permit holder may not carry in any manner in a posted secure area under Utah Code 76-8-311.1, an airport secure area under 76-11-218, a house of worship or private residence where dangerous weapons are prohibited under 76-11-219, or any other place prohibited by, or pursuant to, another state statute or federal law. That catch-all pulls in every other statutory place restriction, so the list is not closed. Under (2)(c)(ii), the same holder may not openly carry, unless lawfully responding to an active threat under Utah Code 76-2-402, 76-2-405, or 76-2-407, on or about the premises of a public or private elementary or secondary school under 76-11-205 or an institution of higher education under 76-11-205.5.

The permit also exempts the holder from several Title 76 offenses:

• Utah Code 76-11-204, unlawfully carrying a firearm in a vehicle, is a class B misdemeanor and does not apply to a Utah or out-of-state permit holder.
• Utah Code 76-11-202, unlawful carrying of a concealed firearm by an individual under 21, is a class B misdemeanor, a class A misdemeanor if the firearm was loaded, and a second degree felony if the firearm was used in a violent felony by a party to the offense. A provisional permit lifts it.
• Utah Code 76-11-220, carrying a loaded firearm on a public street by an 18 to 20 year old, is a class B misdemeanor and does not apply to a provisional permit holder.
• Utah Code 53-5a-602(11)(a) exempts a standard or provisional permit holder from the dealer background check and its fee when the holder presents the permit before purchase and the dealer verifies it with BCI. Under 53-5a-602(11)(b), a temporary permit holder is not exempt.

Utah Code 53-5a-102 reserves firearm regulation to the state and bars local governments from requiring a permit or license.

Provisional permits: the differences that matter

A provisional permit is not a junior version on eligibility: the same Utah Code 53-5a-303(2) disqualifiers apply. Four things differ. It expires at 21 rather than running five years. Under Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2)(d)(i), a provisional holder may not carry in any manner on or about the premises of a public or private elementary or secondary school. A standard permit holder may carry concealed on those premises, but no permit holder may carry openly there under Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2)(c)(ii)(A) absent a lawful active-threat response. It cannot be renewed, per Rule R722-300-6(7). And it does not let the holder buy a handgun from a licensed dealer, because 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1) sets that floor at 21.

Conversion runs through Utah Code 53-5a-303(1)(b). Within the 90 days before turning 21, a provisional holder may apply for the standard permit, BCI has 60 days to issue it, the permit is not valid until the applicant is 21, and the training is not retaken. Out-of-state recognition splits by permit type too: BCI's table shows whether a state honors the standard permit, the provisional, both, or neither, and the provisional is recognized in materially fewer states.

Renewal basics

A standard permit renews for another five years. Rule R722-300-6(2) allows a renewal packet no earlier than 90 days before expiration; Rule R722-300-6(3)(b) refuses one on a permit expired more than a year, and the holder starts over. Utah Code 53-5a-307(4)(b) adds a late fee on a permit expired more than 30 days but less than a year. Utah Code 53-5a-309 requires the holder to watch BCI's firearm safety and suicide prevention video, capped at 10 minutes, and submit proof. Utah Code 53-5a-303(8)(d) does not require retaking the course on a permit unexpired or expired less than a year.

Fees, and why the published numbers are moving

Utah Code 53-5a-307 fixed the standard permit fee at $25 and the renewal at $20 before July 1, 2026, with nonresident surcharges of $35 and $30. Those surcharges are standard-permit only. The provisional permit is priced by its own statute, Utah Code 53-5a-308: $25 before July 1, 2026, an additional $10 for a nonresident, and a $10 replacement fee, all remitted to the Concealed Weapons Account. Utah Code 53-5a-307(1)(c) waives the initial standard-permit fee for a law enforcement officer, an active duty service member, that member's spouse, and a school employee.

Do not quote $25 as the out-the-door cost. Utah Code 53-5a-307(6)(a) and 53-5a-308(4)(a) let the bureau collect fees an outside agency charges for services a statute requires before a permit issues, and BCI's application page lists $52 for residents and $87 for nonresidents. Utah Code 53-5a-303(17)(a) then directs the bureau, beginning July 1, 2026, to set the Part 3 fees under Utah Code 63J-1-504, and each fee subsection in 53-5a-307 and 53-5a-308 switches on that date to a fee set by the bureau.

Denial, suspension, revocation, and appeal

Under Utah Code 53-5a-303(16), a denial must be in writing and state the general reasons. The applicant or holder has 60 days from receipt by certified mail to petition the Concealed Firearm Review Board, created inside BCI by Utah Code 53-5a-302. The bureau carries the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence, and the board must issue a final order within 30 days, which is final agency action for judicial review under Utah Code 63G-4-402.

Two wrinkles. First, a conflict rather than a rule: Utah Code 53-5a-305(6)(b) says a temporary permit decision may not be appealed to the board, while Utah Code 53-5a-302(7) directs the board, on a timely petition, to review the denial, suspension, or revocation of "a permit or a temporary permit." Preserve the deadline, petition anyway, and treat judicial review as the certain route. Second, under Utah Code 53-5a-303(3)(d), BCI must suspend a permit if the holder becomes a temporarily restricted person under Utah Code 53-5a-504, with automatic reinstatement on removal from that list unless the permit was separately revoked, suspended, or expired, or the holder became a restricted person under 76-11-302 or 76-11-303.

Knowingly and willfully providing false information on a permit application is a class B misdemeanor under Utah Code 53-5a-303(15), and the application may be denied or the permit revoked on that basis alone. Going the other way, Utah Code 53-5a-310 makes a holder's name, address, phone number, birth date, and Social Security number protected records, and knowingly disclosing them in violation of the Government Records Access and Management Act is a class A misdemeanor under 53-5a-310(1)(d).

Two points that are genuinely unsettled

First, the 2025 recodification left conflicting cross-references over which number carries the provisional permit and which the temporary permit. Part 3 assigns the provisional permit to Utah Code 53-5a-304 and the temporary permit to 53-5a-305, and Utah Code 76-11-202(2)(b) and 53-5a-602(11)(a) and (b) follow it. But Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(c), 76-11-204(6), and 76-11-220(4) reverse the labels. Read to the substance of each permit, not the number in the cross-reference.

Second, BCI's frequently asked questions page states flatly that the permit allows carry into daycares and public schools. That holds under Utah Code 53-5a-102.2 for concealed carry by a standard Utah permit holder, but not for open carry at a school, not for a provisional holder at a school, and not for someone carrying on an out-of-state permit alone, who is barred in any manner at both schools and daycares by Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2)(d)(ii). Teach the permit type and the carry mode.

Concealed Carry in Utah

If you are 21 or older and can lawfully possess a firearm, you may carry a loaded firearm concealed in Utah without a permit. That rule lives in Utah Code 53-5a-102.2, and it applies on public streets and anywhere else not closed to firearms by state statute or federal law. Utah still issues concealed firearm permits, and a permit is worth having, because it unlocks places permitless carry does not reach.

This reflects the firearm code as reorganized by the 2025 recodification (Chapters 173 and 208, 2025 General Session, effective May 7, 2025) and amended in 2026. Permits and the Bureau of Criminal Identification sit in Title 53, Chapter 5a. The offenses sit in Title 76, Chapter 11.

What counts as concealed

Utah Code 53-5a-101.5 defines a concealed firearm as one covered, hidden, or secreted so the public would not be aware of its presence, and readily accessible for immediate use. An unloaded, securely encased firearm is not a concealed firearm.

Utah Code 76-11-201 fills in both terms. A firearm is readily accessible if it is on your person, or close enough and positioned so you can retrieve and use it as fast as if it were. A securely encased firearm is not: a gun rack, a closed case or container whether locked or not, or a vehicle trunk or other storage area. A glove box or console box does not qualify unless the firearm is also in a holster or case covering the trigger. Under Utah Code 76-11-102, a firearm is loaded when an unexpended cartridge, shell, or projectile is in the firing position, and a handgun counts as loaded when one manual operation would fire the round.

Age is the dividing line

21 and older. Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(b) lets you open or conceal carry a loaded or unloaded firearm on a public street or anywhere else not prohibited by statute or federal law, and lets you carry a loaded or unloaded handgun in a vehicle you are lawfully present in, all without a permit.

18, 19, and 20 with no permit. Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(a) limits you to open carry, and only of an unloaded firearm on a public street or another lawful public place. In a vehicle you are lawfully present in, you may have an unloaded long gun or an unloaded or loaded handgun.

Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2)(a) then closes seven categories of place to that carrier in any manner, open or concealed: a posted secure area under 76-8-311.1, K-12 school premises, an institution of higher education, a daycare, an airport secure area, a house of worship or private residence where dangerous weapons are prohibited, and any other place prohibited by statute or federal law.

Two offenses enforce the age limit. Utah Code 76-11-202 makes it unlawful carrying of a concealed firearm by an individual under 21 to conceal a readily accessible firearm away from your residence, your real property, a vehicle you are lawfully present in, or a business under your control, unless you hold a Utah provisional permit or an out-of-state permit. It is a class B misdemeanor, a class A misdemeanor if the firearm was loaded, and a second degree felony if the firearm was used in a violent felony you were a party to. Utah Code 76-11-220 makes carrying a loaded firearm on a public street by an 18 to 20 year old a class B misdemeanor, excepting provisional permit holders.

Who may not carry at all

Permitless carry and a permit both depend on lawfully being able to possess a firearm. Utah Code 76-11-302 and 76-11-303 draw two categories of restricted person, subject to the exceptions in Utah Code 76-11-304.

Category I under Utah Code 76-11-302 covers a violent felony conviction, probation or parole for a felony, parole from secure care, the 10 years after a juvenile adjudication for violent felony conduct, unlawful presence in the United States as an alien, and probation for possessing a Schedule I or II controlled substance. Under Utah Code 76-11-305 that person commits a second degree felony for possessing a firearm and a third degree felony for another dangerous weapon.

Category II under Utah Code 76-11-303 covers a felony domestic violence conviction, multiple felonies outside a single criminal episode, seven year windows after other felony sentences and after felony-grade delinquency adjudications, unlawful use of a controlled substance, an insanity or incompetency finding on a felony, an adjudication as mentally defective, commitment to a mental institution, a dishonorable discharge, renunciation of citizenship, and certain protective orders entered after a hearing. It also covers a conviction for misdemeanor assault or aggravated assault against a spouse, parent or guardian, co-parent, current or former cohabitant, someone the person dated within the five years before the offense, or someone similarly situated. That five year window describes the dating relationship, not the conviction: Utah Code 76-11-303(13) puts no expiration date on the conviction itself. The parallel offense in Utah Code 76-11-306 is a third degree felony if the weapon is a firearm and a class A misdemeanor otherwise.

Utah Code 76-11-101 defines a dangerous weapon as a firearm or an object capable of causing death or serious bodily injury in the manner of its use or intended use.

What a permit still buys you

A permit issued under Utah Code 53-5a-303 goes to applicants 21 and older, must issue within 60 days absent proof of disqualification, and is valid statewide for five years. Utah Code 53-5a-304 authorizes a provisional permit for applicants 18 but younger than 21, valid until the holder turns 21. Utah Code 53-5a-305 authorizes a temporary permit for an applicant who has already applied under 53-5a-303 and shows extenuating circumstances in writing, valid for at most 90 days.

The payoff is in the location rules. Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2) sets a different closed list for each group, and the list for an 18 to 20 year old without a permit is the one above.

An 18 to 20 year old holding a Utah provisional permit still may not carry on K-12 school premises in any manner, under Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2)(d)(i).

Utah Code 76-11-205 makes carrying a dangerous weapon on or about elementary or secondary school premises a class B misdemeanor, or a class A misdemeanor if the weapon is a firearm. Its exception list reaches a permit holder 21 or older carrying concealed under 53-5a-303 or 53-5a-305, or carrying openly while lawfully responding to an active threat under Utah Code 76-2-402, 76-2-405, or 76-2-407. It does not reach permitless carriers, provisional permit holders, or out-of-state permit holders. Utah Code 76-11-205.5 reaches only open carry at an institution of higher education and grades it a class C misdemeanor, so concealed carry on campus stays lawful for a permit holder or a carrier 21 or older, though not for an 18 to 20 year old without a permit. Open carry there is excepted for a carrier lawfully responding to an active threat under those same three sections, as is inadvertent exposure of a lawfully concealed firearm. Utah Code 76-11-206 makes carrying a dangerous weapon at a daycare a class B misdemeanor, or a class A misdemeanor if it is a firearm, excepting Utah standard, provisional, and temporary permit holders.

Places no permit reaches

A permit does not open a posted secure area under Utah Code 76-8-311.1. Subsection (2)(a) lets the State Tax Commission or a correctional, law enforcement, or mental health facility establish one, and subsection (2)(b) extends the section to a secure area established by the Judicial Council under Utah Code 78A-2-203, which covers courthouse secure areas, and to a higher education secure area hearing room under Utah Code 53H-3-902. Utah Code 53-5a-107 says a permit holder and a permitless carrier alike must comply with the facility's rule, and 76-8-311.1(5)(a) points to Utah Code 76-8-311.2 for the penalty. The entity must post notice at each entrance and provide secure storage so you can stow the firearm first.

Airport secure areas stay closed to permit holders. Utah Code 76-11-218 makes intentional or knowing possession of a dangerous weapon inside an established airport secure area a class A misdemeanor, and reckless or criminally negligent possession an infraction.

Private control still governs, with one limit. Utah Code 76-11-219 makes it trespass with a firearm, an infraction, to knowingly and intentionally bring a firearm into a house of worship or private residence after notice, which can be personal, posted signs, a congregational announcement, a bulletin, or newspaper publication. Published notice lapses after one year unless renewed. Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(3) preserves a vehicle owner's right to bar another individual from carrying in the vehicle and a private property owner's or lessee's right to bar another individual from possessing a firearm on the property, except as provided in Utah Code 53-5a-102.3. That exception matters to renters. Unless you are a restricted person under 76-11-302, 76-11-303, or 18 U.S.C. 922(g), or otherwise prohibited by law, 53-5a-102.3 says an individual 18 or older may have, and cannot be restricted from having, a loaded or unloaded firearm at the individual's residence or real property, including a residence the individual has the lawful right to rent or lease.

Vehicles

Utah Code 76-11-204 makes it a class B misdemeanor for an adult to carry a readily accessible firearm in a vehicle the actor is not lawfully present in, or to carry a loaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in any vehicle. You are lawfully present if the vehicle is in your lawful possession or the person lawfully in possession consented to the firearm. Permit holders and out-of-state permit holders are excepted entirely.

Out-of-state permits

Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(c) treats a permit lawfully issued by or in another state as sufficient to open or conceal carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in a vehicle, on a public street, or anywhere not otherwise closed. BCI states the same rule on its reciprocity page. One carve-out matters: under 53-5a-102.2(2)(d)(ii), someone carrying on an out-of-state permit alone may not carry on K-12 school or daycare premises. Utah's standard and provisional permits are recognized separately by other states, so check the destination state's status with BCI before traveling.

Conduct rules that apply no matter how you carry

Utah Code 76-11-217 makes carrying a readily accessible dangerous weapon while under the influence a class B misdemeanor. The threshold is the driving one in Utah Code 41-6a-502(1)(a) through (c): a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .05 grams or greater, or influence of alcohol or any drug to a degree that renders you incapable of safe operation. A controlled substance under Utah Code 58-37-101 also triggers it. Subsection (4) carves out force used in compliance with Utah Code 76-2-402, carrying in your own residence or another with the occupant's consent, cannabis use complying with Title 26B, Chapter 4, Part 2, and a controlled substance taken under a valid prescription as prescribed where you are then not a danger or can safely handle the weapon, per 76-11-217(4)(d)(iii). Subsection (5) is the trap: it is not a defense that you hold a permit under 53-5a-303, 53-5a-304, or 53-5a-305, that you hold an out-of-state permit, or that you are 21 or older and could otherwise carry concealed without one. Utah Code 53-5a-108(3) applies the section even to most individuals otherwise exempt from the weapons laws.

Utah Code 76-11-207 makes drawing or exhibiting a dangerous weapon in an angry and threatening manner before two or more individuals, or unlawfully using one in a fight, a class A misdemeanor, subject to the justifications in Utah Code 76-2-402. Giving false information on a permit application knowingly and willfully is a class B misdemeanor under Utah Code 53-5a-303(15).

Utah Code 53-5a-102 reserves firearm regulation to the Legislature and bars local and state governmental entities from requiring a permit or license to possess, transport, or keep a firearm, enforced through Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 23. Utah Code 53-5a-103.5 lets a governmental entity prohibit firearms inside a homeless shelter it controls, but not on the grounds outside.

Points that are not settled

The recodified sections disagree about which permit is which. Utah Code 53-5a-304 is titled the provisional permit and 53-5a-305 the temporary permit, and 76-11-202, 76-11-206, and 76-11-217(5) use those labels. But 53-5a-102.2(1)(a), 53-5a-102.2(1)(c), 76-11-204(6), and 76-11-220(4) attach the opposite names. For an 18 to 20 year old the only workable reading is the section titles, because a temporary permit under 53-5a-305 presupposes an application under 53-5a-303, which is limited to applicants 21 and older. Confirm with BCI before relying on 76-11-220(4).

Utah's firearm code does not impose a general requirement to volunteer that you are armed during a police encounter, and nothing in Title 53, Chapter 5a, Part 3 or Title 76, Chapter 11, Part 2 creates one. If an officer asks, answer truthfully, and check with BCI for the agency's current position.

Utah Open Carry Laws

Legal Framework

Utah's open carry laws are governed primarily by Utah Code § 53-5a-102.2, titled "Open and concealed carry of a firearm outside of an individual's residence," which became effective May 7, 2025 (enacted by Chapter 208, 2025 General Session).

The statute explicitly references the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Utah Constitution, Article I, Section 6, which "prohibit the infringement of the right of the people of Utah to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the state, as well as for other lawful purposes."

Open Carry by Age Group

Individuals 18–20 Years Old (Without a Provisional Carry Permit)

Under § 53-5a-102.2(1)(a), an individual 18 years old or older but younger than 21 years old without a provisional carry permit may only carry in an open manner:

• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present
• An unloaded or loaded handgun in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present
• An unloaded firearm that the individual may otherwise lawfully carry, on a public street

Individuals 21 Years Old or Older (Without a Permit)

Under § 53-5a-102.2(1)(b), an individual 21 years old or older may open or conceal carry, without a concealed carry permit:

• An unloaded or loaded firearm on a public street or in any other place not prohibited by state statute or federal law
• An unloaded or loaded handgun in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present
• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present

Individuals 18+ With a Concealed Carry Permit

Under § 53-5a-102.2(1)(c), an individual 18 years old or older with a concealed carry permit (issued under § 53-5a-303), temporary concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-304), provisional concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-305), or a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by another state, may open or conceal carry a loaded or unloaded firearm:

• In a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present
• On a public street
• In any other place not prohibited by state statute or federal law

Prohibited Locations for Open Carry

For Individuals Without a Concealed Carry Permit (Open or Concealed Carry)

Under § 53-5a-102.2(2)(a) and (2)(b), individuals carrying without a permit may not carry a firearm in the following locations:

1. Secure areas established under § 76-8-311.1 where dangerous weapons are prohibited and notice is posted
2. Public or private elementary or secondary schools (§ 76-11-205)
3. Institutions of higher education (§ 76-11-205.5)
4. Daycare premises (§ 76-11-206)
5. Airport secure areas (§ 76-11-218)
6. Houses of worship or private residences where dangerous weapons are prohibited and notice is given/posted (§ 76-11-219)
7. Any other place prohibited by state statute or federal law

For Concealed Carry Permit Holders

Under § 53-5a-102.2(2)(c), permit holders may not carry a firearm in any manner in:

1. Secure areas under § 76-8-311.1 where dangerous weapons are prohibited and notice is posted
2. Airport secure areas (§ 76-11-218)
3. Houses of worship or private residences where dangerous weapons are prohibited (§ 76-11-219)
4. Any other place prohibited by state statute or federal law

Note: Concealed carry permit holders have fewer location restrictions than those carrying without a permit — notably, Utah-issued permit holders are generally permitted to carry on school premises, at institutions of higher education, and at daycares, while non-permit holders are not.

Additional Restrictions for Specific Permit Types

Under § 53-5a-102.2(2)(d):

• Individuals 18–20 years old with a provisional concealed carry permit (referenced in the statute under § 53-5a-304) may not carry in any manner on or about the premises of public or private elementary or secondary schools
• Individuals carrying only with a concealed carry permit issued by another state may not carry in any manner on or about the premises of:
  • Public or private elementary or secondary schools
  • Institutions of higher education
  • Daycares

Private Property Rights

Under § 53-5a-102.2(3), the open carry statute does not prohibit:

• The owner or lawful possessor of a vehicle from prohibiting another individual from carrying a firearm in the vehicle
• The owner or lawful lessee of private real property from prohibiting another individual from possessing a firearm on the property (subject to exceptions in § 53-5a-102.3)

Vehicle Carry

Under § 53-5a-102.2(4), an individual is "lawfully present" in a vehicle while carrying a firearm 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

School Guardian Program and Open Carry Restrictions

Under the School Security Act (Title 53, Chapter 22), the school guardian program established in § 53-22-105 (effective May 7, 2025) provides that school guardians participating in the program:

• Must carry their firearm in a concealed manner (§ 53-22-105(5)(b))
• May not display or open carry a firearm while on school grounds unless during an active threat (§ 53-22-105(5)(c))

This restriction applies specifically to designated school guardians; it does not prohibit individuals with valid concealed carry permits who are not in the program from carrying on school grounds as otherwise permitted under § 76-11-205(4) (see § 53-22-105(6)).

Key Considerations

• No permit required for open carry for individuals 21 and older, though location restrictions apply
• 18–20 year olds without a provisional carry permit are limited to open carry of unloaded firearms on public streets
• Intoxication: It is illegal to be intoxicated and in possession of a firearm; the threshold is the same as for driving (0.05 BAC)
• No duty to inform: There is no legal requirement to inform a law enforcement officer that you are carrying a firearm, though it is recommended for safety
• Mask and carry: Utah law has no prohibition against carrying a firearm (open or concealed) while wearing a mask

Pending Legislation

As of the source date, proposed 2026 General Session legislation that may affect § 53-5a-102.2 includes: H.B. 84 (and substitutes), H.B. 166, H.B. 180 (and substitutes), and S.B. 260.

Utah Constitutional Carry (Permitless Carry)

If you are 21 or older and may lawfully possess a firearm, you can carry it in Utah openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, without a permit. That is the whole rule. Everything below is the edges: who is excluded, where permitless carry stops, and what a Utah permit still buys you.

The numbering changed recently, so old citations mislead. The recodification effective May 7, 2025, by Chapters 173 and 208 of the 2025 General Session, moved the carry rules out of the old Title 53 Chapter 5 Part 7 and Title 76 Chapter 10 Part 5 numbering. Permitless carry now lives in Utah Code 53-5a-102.2, "Open and concealed carry of a firearm outside of an individual's residence." Chapter 171 of the 2026 General Session amended it again, with the current text effective May 6, 2026. A citation to 53-5-704, 53-5-704.5, 76-10-523, or 76-10-526.1 is repealed numbering.

What a 21-and-over adult may do without a permit

Under Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(b), an individual 21 years old or older who may otherwise lawfully possess firearms may open or conceal carry, without a concealed carry permit:

• A loaded or unloaded firearm on a public street, or in any other place not prohibited by or pursuant to state statute or federal law.
• A loaded or unloaded handgun in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present.
• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present.

Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(4) defines "lawfully present" in a vehicle: either the vehicle is in your lawful possession, or the person lawfully in possession consents to your carrying the firearm inside.

The vehicle line has a criminal backstop. Utah Code 76-11-204(2) makes it unlawfully carrying a firearm in a vehicle for an actor 18 or older to carry a firearm readily accessible for immediate use in a vehicle the actor is not lawfully present in, or to carry a loaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in any vehicle. A violation is a class B misdemeanor under 76-11-204(3). Subsection (6) exempts holders of a permit under 53-5a-303, 53-5a-304, 53-5a-305, or one lawfully issued by or in another state. The long gun in your truck must be unloaded if you carry without a permit, and need not be if you hold one.

Two phrases do real work. "Who may otherwise lawfully possess firearms" is the eligibility gate, and "not prohibited by or pursuant to state statute or federal law" means permitless carry never overrides a location ban elsewhere in the code.

The eligibility gate: restricted persons

Utah sorts prohibited people into two categories under Title 76 Chapter 11 Part 3, subject to the exceptions at Utah Code 76-11-304.

Utah Code 76-11-302 makes you a category I restricted person if you have been convicted of a violent felony, are on probation or parole for a felony, are on parole from secure care, are within 10 years of a juvenile adjudication for conduct that would have been a violent felony, are an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States, or are on probation for possessing a Schedule I or II controlled substance or a controlled substance analog. Category I possession of a firearm is a second degree felony under Utah Code 76-11-305; a non-firearm dangerous weapon is a third degree felony.

Utah Code 76-11-303 makes you a category II restricted person on a longer list that includes a felony domestic violence conviction, multiple felonies from separate criminal episodes, a seven-year window after completing a sentence for a non-violent felony, unlawful use of a controlled substance, certain mental health adjudications and commitments, a dishonorable discharge, a qualifying protective order entered after notice and a hearing, and certain misdemeanor domestic assault convictions. Category II possession of a firearm is a third degree felony under Utah Code 76-11-306; a non-firearm dangerous weapon is a class A misdemeanor.

Federal disqualifiers under 18 U.S.C. 922(g) apply independently. Nothing in Utah's permitless carry statute cures a federal prohibition.

Ages 18 to 20: a narrower track, not the same rule

Permitless carry is not a flat 18-and-over right. Under Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(a), an individual 18 or older but younger than 21 without a provisional concealed carry permit may carry only in an open manner:

• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present.
• A loaded or unloaded handgun in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present.
• An unloaded firearm the individual may otherwise lawfully carry, on a public street or in any other public location not prohibited by, or in accordance with, state statute or federal law.

"Loaded" is defined for Title 53 Chapter 5a by Utah Code 53-5a-102.1, which adopts the conditions in Utah Code 76-11-102(1): an unexpended cartridge, shell, or projectile in the firing position; for a handgun, a round positioned so that operating any mechanism once would fire it; for a muzzle loader, capped or primed with a powder charge and ball or shot in the barrel or cylinders.

Two offenses police that narrower track. Under Utah Code 76-11-220(2), an actor 18 or older but younger than 21 who carries a loaded firearm on a public street commits carrying a loaded firearm on a public street by an 18 to 20 year old, a class B misdemeanor under 76-11-220(3). Subsection (4) excepts an actor with a provisional concealed carry permit, which that subsection cites to Section 53-5a-305.

Utah Code 76-11-202 covers the other half, unlawful carrying of a concealed firearm by an individual under 21 years old: no provisional permit under 53-5a-304 and no out-of-state permit, a firearm concealed from public awareness and readily accessible for immediate use, and a location other than the actor's residence, real property, lawfully occupied vehicle, or business. Baseline grade is a class B misdemeanor. It rises to a class A misdemeanor if the firearm was loaded, and to a second degree felony if the firearm was used in the commission of a violent felony and the actor was a party to that offense.

The fix for an 18-to-20-year-old is the provisional concealed carry permit under Utah Code 53-5a-304, which BCI must issue within 60 days to a qualifying applicant and which stays valid until the holder turns 21.

Where permitless carry stops

Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2) is the location list, and the tiers differ by carrier.

Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2)(d) adds two restrictions to the permit-holder row. An 18-to-20-year-old with a provisional permit may not carry in any manner on K-12 school premises, and someone carrying on only an out-of-state permit may not carry in any manner on K-12 school or daycare premises.

The gradings behind those location bans:

• K-12 school premises, Utah Code 76-11-205: class A misdemeanor if the dangerous weapon is a firearm, class B misdemeanor if it is not. The permit exception sits at 76-11-205(4)(b) and (c).
• Institutions of higher education, Utah Code 76-11-205.5: openly carrying a dangerous weapon is a class C misdemeanor. Accidental exposure of a lawfully concealed firearm is not a violation, nor is carrying in a vehicle lawfully under your control.
• Daycare premises, Utah Code 76-11-206: class A misdemeanor if the dangerous weapon is a firearm, class B misdemeanor if it is not. Holders of a Utah standard, provisional, or temporary permit are exempt.
• Airport secure areas, Utah Code 76-11-218: class A misdemeanor for intentional or knowing possession, infraction for reckless or criminally negligent possession. The statute names permit holders expressly, so a Utah permit is no defense.
• House of worship or private residence after notice, Utah Code 76-11-219: infraction. Notice can come by personal communication, posted signs, an announcement in a congregational meeting, or publication in a bulletin or newsletter.
• Secure areas, Utah Code 76-8-311.1: penalties run through Utah Code 76-8-311.2, so check that section for the current grading. Utah Code 53-5a-107 requires permit holders and permitless carriers alike to comply with a secure facility's rules.

Federal school zones: the gap permitless carry cannot fill

This is the trap. Under 18 U.S.C. 922(q)(2)(A) it is a federal offense to knowingly possess a firearm that has moved in or otherwise affects interstate commerce at a place you know, or have reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone. Under 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(26) a school zone is in or on the grounds of a public, parochial, or private school, or within 1,000 feet of them.

The exception that matters is 18 U.S.C. 922(q)(2)(B)(ii). The ban does not apply if the individual is licensed to possess the firearm by the state where the school zone sits, and state law requires law enforcement to verify the applicant's qualifications first. A Utah permit issued under Utah Code 53-5a-303 is that kind of license. Permitless carry is not. Other exceptions cover private property that is not part of school grounds, and a firearm both unloaded and in a locked container or locked firearms rack on a motor vehicle. Federal penalties are set at 18 U.S.C. 924; confirm the current grading there.

Travel, reciprocity, and the permit's practical value

Permitless carry stops at the Utah state line, and it gets you nothing in a state that requires a permit. Recognition runs inbound only: under Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(c), an individual 18 or older carrying on a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by or in another state may open or conceal carry in Utah, and BCI says the same.

For Utah residents going out of state, the permit is the travel document. BCI publishes a state-by-state recognition table labeling each state as honoring Utah's Standard permit (21 and over), the Provisional permit (18 to 20), both, or neither, and flagging states that honor it only for Utah residents. Pull the current table from the BCI reciprocity page before a trip. BCI puts the burden on the permit holder to know the firearm laws of the states being visited.

So the permit still earns its keep:

1. Concealed carry on K-12 school premises, for holders 21 and older, under Utah Code 76-11-205(4)(b).
2. Carry on daycare premises, under Utah Code 76-11-206(4)(b) through (d).
3. The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act exception at 18 U.S.C. 922(q)(2)(B)(ii).
4. Recognition in other states.
5. Concealed carry between 18 and 20, through the provisional permit under Utah Code 53-5a-304.
6. A loaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in a vehicle, exempt under 76-11-204(6) from the class B misdemeanor.

A standard permit under Utah Code 53-5a-303 is valid statewide for five years, and BCI must issue within 60 days unless it finds the applicant unqualified under 53-5a-303(2) or (3). The application takes fingerprints, a photograph, and evidence of general familiarity with the firearms to be concealed, which under 53-5a-303(8) means in-person training in safe loading, unloading, storage, and carrying, plus current law on use of force, transportation, and concealment.

Private property and local rules

Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(3) preserves two private rights permitless carry does not touch. The owner or lawful possessor of a vehicle may prohibit another person from carrying a firearm in it, and the owner or lawful lessee of private real property may prohibit another person from possessing a firearm there, except as provided in Utah Code 53-5a-102.3.

That exception matters to renters. Under Utah Code 53-5a-102.3(1), an individual 18 or older who is not restricted under 76-11-302, 76-11-303, or 18 U.S.C. 922(g), and not otherwise prohibited by law, may have and cannot be restricted from having a loaded or unloaded firearm at the individual's place of residence or on the individual's real property. Subsection (2) says place of residence includes a temporary residence or camp, and a residence the individual has the lawful right of possession to rent or lease.

Cities and counties cannot write their own version. Utah Code 53-5a-102 declares that the Legislature occupies the whole field of state firearm regulation, bars any local or state governmental entity from requiring a permit or license to possess, transport, or keep a firearm, and makes Title 53 Chapter 5a Part 1 and Title 76 Chapter 11 uniformly applicable in every political subdivision. Enforcement runs through the Firearm Preemption Enforcement Act at Utah Code 78B-6-2301 through 78B-6-2303.

One drafting inconsistency to watch

Utah Code 53-5a-304 is captioned "Provisional permit to carry concealed firearm" and 53-5a-305 is captioned "Temporary permit to carry concealed firearm," but other sections do not follow those labels. Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(a), 76-11-204(6), and 76-11-220(4) attach "provisional" to 53-5a-305, while 53-5a-102.2(2)(d)(i) attaches it to 53-5a-304. Ask BCI which permit you hold if the answer changes your carry rights.

Utah Prohibited Places for Carrying Firearms

Based on Utah Code § 53-5a-102.2 (Effective 5/7/2025)

Prohibited Locations for ALL Carriers (With or Without Permit)

The following locations are prohibited for all individuals regardless of permit status:

1. Secure areas established in accordance with § 76-8-311.1 in which dangerous weapons are prohibited and notice of the prohibition is posted
2. Airport secure areas as described in § 76-11-218
3. Houses of worship or private residences where dangerous weapons are prohibited, as described in § 76-11-219
4. Any other place prohibited by, or pursuant to, another state statute or federal law

Additional Prohibited Locations for Carriers WITHOUT a Concealed Carry Permit

Individuals carrying openly or concealed without a permit (under constitutional/permitless carry) are additionally prohibited from carrying in:

1. Public or private elementary or secondary schools — on or about the premises, as described in § 76-11-205
2. Institutions of higher education — on or about the premises, as described in § 76-11-205.5
3. Daycare facilities — on or about the premises, as described in § 76-11-206

Additional Restrictions Based on Permit Type and Age

• Provisional concealed carry permit holders (ages 18–20): May not carry in any manner on or about the premises of a public or private elementary or secondary school (§ 76-11-205), in addition to the locations prohibited for all permit holders.
• Holders of concealed carry permits issued by another state: May not carry in any manner:
  • On or about the premises of a public or private elementary or secondary school (§ 76-11-205)
  • On or about the premises of an institution of higher education (§ 76-11-205.5)
  • On or about the premises of a daycare (§ 76-11-206)

Utah Concealed Carry Permit Holders (Age 21+ with Utah-Issued Permit)

Holders of a Utah concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-303) or temporary concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-304) who are 21 or older have the fewest restrictions and are prohibited only from the locations listed in the "ALL Carriers" section above. Notably, these Utah concealed carry permit holders age 21+ may carry on school premises, at institutions of higher education, and at daycare facilities.

The provisional concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-305) is issued to individuals ages 18–20 and carries additional school restrictions as noted above.

Private Property Rights

Utah law does not prohibit:

• The owner or lawful possessor of a vehicle from prohibiting another individual from carrying a firearm in their vehicle (§ 53-5a-102.2(3)(a))
• The owner or lawful lessee of private real property from prohibiting another individual from possessing a firearm on the property, except as provided in § 53-5a-102.3 (§ 53-5a-102.2(3)(b))

Key Statute Cross-References

Recent Changes & Pending Legislation

• Effective May 7, 2025: § 53-5a-102.2 was enacted by Chapter 208, 2025 General Session, restructuring Utah's carry laws and establishing the current prohibited locations framework.
• Proposed 2026 General Session legislation that may affect § 53-5a-102.2 includes: H.B. 84 (and substitutes S1–S3), H.B. 166, H.B. 180 (and substitutes S1–S2), and S.B. 260.

Carrying Firearms in Vehicles in Utah

Governing Statute

Utah Code § 53-5a-102.2 — Open and concealed carry of a firearm outside of an individual's residence (Effective 5/7/2025)

Overview

Utah law permits individuals to carry firearms in vehicles under specific conditions based on age and permit status. The statute was enacted by Chapter 208, 2025 General Session.

Rules by Age and Permit Status

Individuals 18–20 Years Old (Without a Provisional Concealed Carry Permit)

Under § 53-5a-102.2(1)(a), an individual 18 years old or older but younger than 21 years old without a provisional concealed carry permit issued under § 53-5a-305 may only carry in an open manner in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present:

• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle
• An unloaded or loaded handgun

Individuals 21 Years Old or Older (Without a Concealed Carry Permit)

Under § 53-5a-102.2(1)(b), an individual 21 years old or older may open or conceal carry, without a concealed carry permit, in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present:

• An unloaded or loaded handgun
• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle

Individuals 18+ With a Concealed Carry Permit

Under § 53-5a-102.2(1)(c), an individual 18 years old or older with a concealed carry permit issued under § 53-5a-303, a temporary concealed carry permit issued under § 53-5a-304, a provisional concealed carry permit issued under § 53-5a-305, or a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by or in another state, may open or conceal carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present.

Definition of "Lawfully Present" in a Vehicle

Per § 53-5a-102.2(4), an individual is lawfully present in a vehicle while carrying a firearm 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.

Vehicle Owner's Rights

Per § 53-5a-102.2(3)(a), the statute does not prohibit the owner or lawful possessor of a vehicle from prohibiting another individual from carrying a firearm in the owner's or lawful possessor's vehicle.

Prohibited Locations (Apply Even When Traveling)

For Individuals Without a Concealed Carry Permit

Open carriers under (1)(a) or (1)(b), per § 53-5a-102.2(2)(a), and concealed carriers 21+ without a permit under (1)(b), per § 53-5a-102.2(2)(b), may not carry firearms in the following locations:

• Secure areas where dangerous weapons are prohibited with posted notice (§ 76-8-311.1)
• On or about the premises of public or private elementary or secondary schools (§ 76-11-205)
• On or about the premises of institutions of higher education (§ 76-11-205.5)
• On or about the premises of a daycare (§ 76-11-206)
• Airport secure areas (§ 76-11-218)
• Houses of worship or private residences where dangerous weapons are prohibited (§ 76-11-219)
• Any other place prohibited by state statute or federal law

For Individuals With a Concealed Carry Permit

Per § 53-5a-102.2(2)(c), individuals with a concealed carry permit under (1)(c) may not carry a firearm in any manner in:

• Secure areas where dangerous weapons are prohibited with posted notice (§ 76-8-311.1)
• Airport secure areas (§ 76-11-218)
• Houses of worship or private residences where dangerous weapons are prohibited (§ 76-11-219)
• Any other place prohibited by state statute or federal law

Per § 53-5a-102.2(2)(d), additional restrictions apply to certain permit holders beyond the locations listed in (2)(c):

• An individual 18 years old but younger than 21 with a provisional concealed carry permit under § 53-5a-304 may not carry a firearm in any manner on or about the premises of a public or private elementary or secondary school (§ 76-11-205).
• An individual concealing a firearm only with a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by or in another state may not carry a firearm in any manner:
  • On or about the premises of a public or private elementary or secondary school (§ 76-11-205)
  • On or about the premises of an institution of higher education (§ 76-11-205.5)
  • On or about the premises of a daycare (§ 76-11-206)

Pending Legislation

Proposed 2026 General Session legislation that may affect § 53-5a-102.2 includes: H.B. 84 (and substitutes), H.B. 166, H.B. 180 (and substitutes), and S.B. 260.

Reciprocity

Utah honors a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by or in any other state. There is no approved list, no residency test, and no agreement Utah has to sign first. Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(c) puts an out-of-state permit alongside a Utah permit in the same sentence, and the Bureau of Criminal Identification restates it without qualification: "Utah will honor a permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by any other state or county."

Two things complicate that answer. At 21 or older the permit buys you little, because Utah does not require one. And at schools and daycares an out-of-state permit is worth measurably less than a Utah one.

What the recognition rule actually says

Under 53-5a-102.2(1)(c), an individual 18 or older who may otherwise lawfully possess firearms and holds a permit under Section 53-5a-303, 53-5a-304, or 53-5a-305, or "a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by or in another state," may carry openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, in a vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present, on a public street, or anywhere else not prohibited by state statute or federal law.

The statute uses "by or in another state" without defining it, and BCI describes what Utah honors as a permit "issued by any other state or county." Neither construes the phrase, so treat a county-issued permit as unsettled and confirm it with BCI.

Read what is missing. Utah imposes no residency match, so a Florida permit held by a Georgia resident is recognized here. There is no permit-class test, no training standard, no issue-date cutoff. The permit only has to be lawfully issued and current. Recognition is not confined to one section: 76-11-202(2)(b) and 76-11-204(6) carry the same phrase and give it real effect.

Why a permit adds little for a visitor 21 or older

Utah does not require a permit to carry. Under 53-5a-102.2(1)(b), an individual 21 or older who may otherwise lawfully possess firearms may carry openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, on a public street and anywhere else not prohibited by state statute or federal law. In a vehicle the individual is lawfully present in, the same subsection allows a loaded or unloaded handgun, but a rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle only unloaded, per 53-5a-102.2(1)(b)(ii) and (iii).

Compare the restriction lists and the gap is small. Subsection (2)(b) keeps a permitless carrier out of posted secure areas, K-12 and daycare premises, airport secure areas, and houses of worship or private residences where firearms are prohibited, and bars open carry at a higher education institution. Subsections (2)(c) and (2)(d)(ii) put an out-of-state permit holder in the same position at all of them.

One difference is worth the trip. Under 76-11-204(2)(a) and (2)(b)(ii), an actor 18 or older carrying a loaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in any vehicle commits unlawfully carrying a firearm in a vehicle, graded a class B misdemeanor by 76-11-204(3). Subsection (6) exempts a holder of a Utah permit or "a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by or in another state." Without a permit, that loaded long gun in the truck is an offense.

The school and daycare gap

Here Utah draws a line between its permits and everyone else's. Under 53-5a-102.2(2)(d)(ii), an individual with only a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by or in another state may not carry a firearm in any manner on or about the premises of a public or private elementary or secondary school under Section 76-11-205, or of a daycare under Section 76-11-206.

The two offense sections agree. The permit exceptions in 76-11-205(4) cover an actor 21 or older carrying concealed under a 53-5a-303 or 53-5a-305 permit, and those in 76-11-206(4) cover permits under 53-5a-303, 53-5a-304, and 53-5a-305. Neither list mentions an out-of-state permit. The lists are not limited to permits, though. Sections 76-11-205(4)(a) and 76-11-206(4)(a) also lift the offense for an individual exempt under Section 53-5a-108, which includes "a peace officer of any jurisdiction," so an out-of-state officer has a route that needs no permit. Section 53-5a-108(3) keeps 76-11-217, carrying under the influence, applicable to a listed individual not employed by an agency with a dangerous weapons policy.

Carrying a dangerous weapon on or about school premises is a class B misdemeanor if the weapon is not a firearm and a class A misdemeanor if it is, under 76-11-205(3); 76-11-206(3) grades daycare premises identically.

The workaround is the vehicle. Section 76-11-205(4)(h) does not apply the school offense to an actor carrying the weapon in a vehicle lawfully under the actor's control, other than a school vehicle or one used to transport students, and 76-11-206(4)(h) says the same for daycares.

Federal law does not follow Utah here, and it reaches farther. Under 18 U.S.C. 922(q)(2)(A) it is unlawful to knowingly possess a firearm that has moved in or affects interstate commerce in a school zone, a federal offense whose penalty sits in 18 U.S.C. 924, which 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(26)(B) extends to within 1,000 feet of school grounds. The license exemption at 922(q)(2)(B)(ii) runs only to an individual "licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State," so an out-of-state permit fails it. The federal vehicle exemption is narrower than Utah's: 922(q)(2)(B)(iii) covers a firearm "not loaded" and "in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack that is on a motor vehicle."

Places closed to you whatever permit you hold

• Posted secure areas. Section 53-5a-107 requires an individual, including a permit holder, to obey any rule a secure facility establishes under Section 76-8-311.1, and makes that individual "subject to any penalty provided for violating the established rule." Section 76-8-311.1(5)(a) routes the penalty to Section 76-8-311.2, where the grade lives; (3) requires notice at each entrance and (4)(a) a secure storage area for your weapon.
• Airport secure areas. Section 76-11-218(2) reaches "an actor with a concealed firearm permit issued under Title 53, Chapter 5a, Part 3" by name. Intentional or knowing possession there is a class A misdemeanor under (3)(a); reckless or criminally negligent possession is an infraction under (3)(b), subject to (6)(a): on a first offense the actor "may receive a written warning for the offense and may not receive a citation or any other form of punishment."
• Private property. Section 53-5a-102.2(3)(b) preserves the right of an owner or lawful lessee of private real property to prohibit firearms there, except as provided in Section 53-5a-102.3, and (3)(a) does the same for a vehicle owner or lawful possessor. A house of worship or private residence that has given notice is enforced as trespass with a firearm, 76-11-219(2), an infraction under (3).
• Open carry at an institution of higher education. Barred by 53-5a-102.2(2)(c)(ii)(B) unless lawfully responding to an active threat under Section 76-2-402, 76-2-405, or 76-2-407. The offense at 76-11-205.5 is a class C misdemeanor.
• Carrying while under the influence. Section 76-11-217(2) is a class B misdemeanor under (3), and 76-11-217(5)(e) states flatly that holding a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by or in another state is not a defense.

If you are 18 to 20, recognition is the whole ballgame

Here the out-of-state permit does real work. Utah Code 76-11-202(2)(b) makes it an element of unlawful carrying of a concealed firearm by an individual under 21 that the actor "does not have a provisional concealed carry permit issued in accordance with Section 53-5a-304 or a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by or in another state." A valid one defeats the element.

The exposure without one is real: a class B misdemeanor under 76-11-202(3)(a), a class A misdemeanor if the firearm was loaded, and a second degree felony if it was used in a violent felony to which the actor was a party.

One point is genuinely unsettled. Section 76-11-220(2) makes it an offense for an actor 18 to 20 to carry a loaded firearm on a public street, graded a class B misdemeanor by 76-11-220(3), and (4) lifts the section only for a holder of a Utah provisional permit. It does not name out-of-state permits, while 53-5a-102.2(1)(c) says an 18-year-old with one may carry loaded on a public street. If you are 18 to 20 and traveling on another state's permit, call BCI before you carry loaded on foot.

No local variation to research

Section 53-5a-102(1) declares that the Legislature "occupies the whole field of state regulation of firearms," and (3) makes Title 53, Chapter 5a, Part 1 and Title 76, Chapter 11 "uniformly applicable throughout the state and in all the political subdivisions of the state." Subsection (5) bars a local or state entity from enforcing a firearms directive absent specific legislative authorization. A visitor need not check city ordinances.

Taking a Utah permit out of state

Utah issues three permits by statute: the concealed firearm permit under 53-5a-303, the provisional permit under 53-5a-304 for applicants 18 to 20, and the temporary permit under 53-5a-305, valid at most 90 days on a showing of extenuating circumstances. Several sections swap those last two adjectives when cross-referencing them, so track the section number, not the label. BCI's recognition table covers only the first two, calling them a "Standard" permit for holders 21 and over and a "Provisional" permit for 18 to 20 year olds. The lists below reflect that table as it stood on August 12, 2026. Recognition is the other state's decision, so it can change without any act of the Utah Legislature. BCI publishes the current table at https://bci.utah.gov/concealed-firearm/reciprocity-with-other-states/, and the state you are traveling to is the authority on whether it honors a Utah permit today.

• Both permits recognized: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Wyoming.
• Standard permit only: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
• Neither permit recognized: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia.

BCI warns that "there are some states that will only accept the Utah concealed firearm permit so long as the permit holder is a resident of Utah," which is the residency condition Utah itself declines to impose, and that it is the holder's own responsibility to know the firearm laws of any state visited. Section 53-5a-304(6) puts that burden in statute for provisional holders: the holder "must meet the eligibility requirements of another state, including age requirements, to carry a concealed firearm in that state."

What a Utah non-resident permit is worth

A permit issued under 53-5a-303 is valid throughout Utah for five years, without restriction except as provided by 53-5a-102.2, per 53-5a-303(1)(c). Non-residents may hold one, subject to a condition. Under 53-5a-303(4)(a), a non-resident applicant who resides in a state that recognizes the validity of the Utah permit, or has reciprocity with Utah's permit law, must hold a current concealed firearm or concealed weapon permit from the permitting authority of the applicant's state of residency and submit a copy with the application. Section 53-5a-303(4)(c) applies that condition to every issuance application and to non-resident renewals. BCI adds the tiebreaker: "You are considered a resident of whichever state issued your ID," and confirms that if your state does not recognize the Utah permit, the condition does not apply.

Do not read the condition off the BCI table's home-permit columns. Those are BCI's own administrative encoding and do not track the statute row for row: eleven states whose Recognition Status is "Both" are marked as not requiring a home permit for the Provisional, and Vermont is marked that way for the Standard, although 53-5a-303(4)(a) and 53-5a-304(3)(a) would require one from a resident of a recognizing state. Work from the statute and ask BCI about your state.

Three further points. Section 53-5a-303(4)(b) bars an applicant who knowingly and willfully provides false information under (4)(a) from a Utah concealed firearm permit for 10 years, and 53-5a-304(3)(b) extends the same 10-year bar to a Utah permit of any kind on the provisional application. Section 53-5a-303(1)(d) exempts from (4)(a) a non-resident active duty service member presenting orders to report for duty in Utah, and a spouse stationed with them presenting the same orders; 53-5a-312 exempts a servicemember who already holds a Utah permit at renewal. For an 18 to 20 year old non-resident, 53-5a-304(3)(a) requires a "current applicable" home-state permit, and whether a state that issues no permit under 21 leaves nothing "applicable" is a question for BCI.

Key statutory references

Utah asks no questions about your permit. Its schools and daycares ask exactly one, and an out-of-state permit gives the wrong answer.

Utah Use of Force Laws

Utah's use of force laws are codified in Utah Code Title 76, Chapter 2, Part 4 — "Justification Excluding Criminal Responsibility." These statutes govern when the use of force, including deadly force, is legally justified.

Force in Defense of Person (§ 76-2-402)

(Effective 5/4/2022)

An individual is justified in threatening or using force against another individual when and to the extent that the individual reasonably believes that force or a threat of force is necessary to defend the individual or another individual against the imminent use of unlawful force.

An individual is justified in using force intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury only if the individual reasonably believes that force is necessary to:

• Prevent death or serious bodily injury to the individual or another individual as a result of the imminent use of unlawful force; or
• Prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

No Duty to Retreat (Stand Your Ground)

Utah is a "Stand Your Ground" state. Except where the individual was the aggressor or engaged in combat by agreement:

• An individual does not have a duty to retreat from the force or threatened force in a place where that individual has lawfully entered or remained.
• The failure to retreat is not a relevant factor in determining whether the individual who used or threatened force acted reasonably.

Exceptions — When Force Is NOT Justified

An individual is not justified in using force if the individual:

1. Initially provokes the use of force against another individual with the intent to use force as an excuse to inflict bodily harm;
2. Is attempting to commit, committing, or fleeing after the commission or attempted commission of a felony (unless the use of force is a reasonable response to factors unrelated to that felony); or
3. Was the aggressor or engaged in combat by agreement, unless the individual withdraws from the encounter and effectively communicates the intent to withdraw, and the other individual continues or threatens to continue the use of unlawful force.

Note: The following do not, alone, constitute "combat by agreement":

• Voluntarily entering into or remaining in an ongoing relationship
• Entering or remaining in a place where one has a legal right to be

Factors for Determining Imminence or Reasonableness

The trier of fact may consider:

• The nature of the danger
• The immediacy of the danger
• The probability that the unlawful force would result in death or serious bodily injury
• The other individual's prior violent acts or violent propensities
• Any patterns of abuse or violence in the parties' relationship
• Any other relevant factors

Definition of Forcible Felony

"Forcible felony" means: aggravated assault, mayhem, aggravated murder, murder, manslaughter, kidnapping and aggravated kidnapping, rape, forcible sodomy, rape of a child, object rape, object rape of a child, sexual abuse of a child, aggravated sexual abuse of a child, aggravated sexual assault, arson, robbery, and burglary. It also includes any other felony offense involving the use of force or violence against an individual that poses a substantial danger of death or serious bodily injury. Burglary of a vehicle is excluded unless the vehicle is occupied at the time unlawful entry is made or attempted.

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Force or Deadly Force in Defense of Habitation, Vehicle, or Place of Business or Employment (§ 76-2-405)

(Effective 5/1/2024)

An actor is justified in using force against an individual when and to the extent that the actor reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate the individual's unlawful entry into the actor's vehicle or unlawful entry or attack upon the actor's habitation or place of business or employment.

An actor is justified in using deadly force (force intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury) only if:

1. The entry is made or attempted in a violent and tumultuous manner, surreptitiously, or by stealth, AND the actor reasonably believes:

   • The entry is attempted or made for the purpose of assaulting or perpetrating personal violence against any individual dwelling in or present in the habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment; and
   • The force is necessary to prevent the assault or perpetration of personal violence; OR

2. The actor reasonably believes:

   • The entry is made or attempted for the purpose of committing a felony in the habitation; and
   • The force is necessary to prevent the commission of the felony.

Presumption of Reasonableness — Habitation (Castle Doctrine)

An actor who uses force or deadly force to defend the actor's habitation is presumed to have acted reasonably and had a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury (for both civil and criminal cases) if the entry or attempted entry is:

• Unlawful; AND
• Made or attempted by use of force, in a violent and tumultuous manner, surreptitiously or by stealth, or for the purpose of committing a felony.

Presumption of Reasonableness — Vehicle or Place of Business or Employment

An actor who uses force or deadly force to defend the actor's vehicle or place of business or employment is presumed to have acted reasonably and had a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury (for both civil and criminal cases) if:

• The actor knew or had reason to believe the individual entered or attempted to enter unlawfully and with force the actor's occupied vehicle or place of business or employment, OR removed or attempted to remove the actor unlawfully and with force from the actor's vehicle or place of business or employment; AND
• The actor did not provoke the individual; AND
• The actor was not otherwise engaged in criminal activity (other than a traffic offense) at the time the force was used.

Protection of Third Persons

The presumption of reasonableness for vehicles and places of business or employment also applies when an actor uses force or deadly force to protect a third person if:

• Under the circumstances as the actor believes them to be, the actor would be justified in using such force to protect themselves; and
• The actor reasonably believes that intervention is immediately necessary to protect the third person.

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Force in Defense of Property (§ 76-2-406)

(Effective 5/7/2025)

Except as provided in § 76-2-405, an actor is justified in using force, other than deadly force, against another individual when and to the extent that the actor reasonably believes that force is necessary to prevent or terminate the individual's criminal interference with:

• Real or personal property lawfully in the actor's possession;
• Real or personal property lawfully in the possession of a member of the actor's immediate family;
• Real or personal property belonging to an individual whose property the actor has a legal duty to protect; or
• Personal property that the actor reasonably believes belongs to another person and that individual's criminal interference is meant to deprive the other person of the person's personal property.

Factors for Determining Reasonableness

In determining reasonableness, the trier of fact shall consider:

• The apparent or perceived extent of the damage to the property
• Property damage previously caused by the other individual
• Threats of personal injury or damage to property previously made by the other individual
• Any patterns of abuse or violence between the actor and the individual

Important: Only non-deadly force is authorized for defense of property under this section. Deadly force in defense of property is addressed under § 76-2-405 (habitation, vehicle, place of business or employment) and § 76-2-407 (real property).

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Deadly Force in Defense of Individuals on Real Property (§ 76-2-407)

(Effective 5/1/2024)

An actor is justified in using deadly force against an individual in defense of another individual on real property (other than habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment covered by § 76-2-405) if:

• The actor is in lawful possession of the real property;
• The actor reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate the individual's trespass onto the real property;
• The individual's trespass is made or attempted by use of force or in a violent and tumultuous manner; AND
• Either:
  • The actor reasonably believes the trespass is for the purpose of committing violence against an individual on the real property and the force is necessary to prevent personal violence; OR
  • The actor reasonably believes the trespass is for the purpose of committing a forcible felony that poses imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury to an individual on the real property and the force is necessary to prevent the commission of the forcible felony.

Presumption of Reasonableness

An actor who uses deadly force in defense of an individual on real property is presumed to have acted reasonably and had a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury (for both civil and criminal cases) if the trespass or attempted trespass:

• Is unlawful; AND
• Is made or attempted by use of force, in a violent and tumultuous manner, or for the purpose of committing a forcible felony.

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Law Enforcement Officer Use of Deadly Force (§ 76-2-404)

(Effective 5/4/2022)

The defense of justification applies to the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer when:

• Executing a penalty of death under a competent court judgment;
• Effecting an arrest or preventing an escape from custody, if the officer reasonably believes deadly force is necessary to prevent the arrest from being defeated by escape AND the officer has probable cause to believe the suspect committed a felony involving infliction or threatened infliction of death or serious bodily injury, or the suspect poses a threat of death or serious bodily injury if apprehension is delayed; or
• The officer reasonably believes deadly force is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another individual.

If feasible, a verbal warning should be given by the officer prior to any use of deadly force (except when executing a court judgment).

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Pending Legislation

H.B. 133 has been proposed for the 2026 General Session and may affect §§ 76-2-402, 76-2-405, 76-2-406, and 76-2-407.

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Key Takeaways for Concealed Carry Permit Holders

• No duty to retreat in any place where you have lawfully entered or remained (Stand Your Ground).
• Deadly force is justified only to prevent death, serious bodily injury, or the commission of a forcible felony.
• Non-deadly force may be used to defend against the imminent use of unlawful force or to protect property from criminal interference.
• Presumptions of reasonableness apply in defense of habitation (Castle Doctrine), occupied vehicles, places of business or employment, and real property when specific conditions are met.
• Force is not justified if you are the initial aggressor, provoke the encounter, or are committing a felony.
• Defense of property alone does not justify deadly force; deadly force requires a reasonable belief of threat to persons.

How to Apply for a Utah Concealed Firearm Permit

One agency issues Utah permits statewide: the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), inside the Department of Public Safety. There is no county sheriff step and no local approval layer. You build one packet, send it to BCI, and BCI runs the background check.

Utah is shall-issue on a deadline. Under Utah Code 53-5a-303, the bureau shall issue a concealed carry permit for lawful self defense to an applicant 21 or older within 60 days after receiving an application, unless it finds proof the applicant is disqualified under Utah Code 53-5a-303(2) or (3). Applicants 18 to 20 apply for a provisional permit under Utah Code 53-5a-304, on the same deadline. You need not live in Utah.

BCI's firearms section is at 4315 South 2700 West, Suite 1300, Taylorsville, Utah 84129, phone 801-965-4445, and takes new applications by mail or in person. The secure.utah.gov system handles renewals, not first applications.

The steps, in order

1. Confirm you are eligible. Age 21 for the standard permit or 18 for the provisional, qualified to purchase and possess a firearm under Title 76, Chapter 11, Part 3 and federal law, and clear of the conviction categories in Utah Code 53-5a-303(2)(a).
2. Take the familiarity course first. BCI states that applicants must complete a BCI-certified firearms familiarity course, with no exceptions, before applying. Bureau-certified instructors sign the certificate under Utah Code 53-5a-303(9) and (11).
3. Get fingerprinted on FBI Form FD-258. BCI prints by appointment for a $20 fee, and local law enforcement agencies and private businesses may also offer the service.
4. Get a passport-quality color photograph with your name written on the back.
5. Assemble the packet and pay the non-refundable fees by cash, check, money order, or credit card, payable to the "Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification."
6. Submit by mail or in person. You get either the permit in the mail or a denial letter sent return receipt requested.

Under Administrative Rule R722-300-4, BCI may not accept an application more than 90 days before your date of permit eligibility, or more than 90 days before a provisional permit holder's 21st birthday. Applying early does not start the clock sooner; it bounces the packet.

What goes in the packet

Utah Code 53-5a-303(6) sets the statutory floor. R722-300-4 spells out the envelope:

• The application form BCI provides, showing your permanent residence address.
• A photocopy of a state-issued driver license or identification card.
• One recent passport-quality color photograph with your name on the back, unless BCI already has a conforming photo from the last three years.
• One completed FBI fingerprint card, Form FD-258, with legible prints.
• The non-refundable fees under Utah Code 53-5a-307, 53-5a-308, and 53-10-108, plus the FBI's background check fee.
• Evidence of general familiarity with the firearms to be concealed.
• Any mitigating information you want weighed against a disqualifying conviction.
• For nonresidents, a copy of your home-state permit when your state's recognition status triggers that requirement.

One warning belongs on the form itself. Utah Code 53-5a-303(15) makes it a class B misdemeanor to knowingly and willfully provide false information on an application filed under this part, and the application may be denied or the permit suspended or revoked on top of the charge.

The training requirement

Utah Code 53-5a-303(8) defines general familiarity as training in the safe loading, unloading, storage, and carrying of the firearms to be concealed, plus current laws on lawful use by a private citizen, including self-defense, use of force, transportation, and concealment.

The statute allows three ways to satisfy it:

• A course from a national, state, or local firearms training organization approved by the bureau.
• Certification by a bureau-certified individual, who may be a law enforcement officer, a military or civilian firearms instructor, or a hunter safety instructor.
• Equivalent experience through an organized shooting competition, law enforcement, or military service.

Do not build your packet around the third route. BCI's application page says applicants must complete a BCI-certified familiarity course, with no exceptions, so competition or service history offered on its own is unlikely to clear the counter.

Two constraints matter. Utah Code 53-5a-303(8)(c) requires instruction in person and not through electronic means, so an online-only class does not qualify. R722-300-4(2) requires the instructor's certificate to have issued within one year of the application date, and Utah Code 53-5a-303(11) requires the instructor's signature in the exact name on the bureau-issued certification plus the instructor's official seal.

Sworn applicants get a shortcut. Utah Code 53-5a-303(7) lets a law enforcement officer under Utah Code 53-13-103 submit a commanding officer's letter of good standing instead of familiarity evidence, and R722-300-4(3) accepts an in-state agency's firearm qualification from the last five years and waives the fee. Utah Code 53-5a-303(5) adds a separate path: the bureau shall issue a permit to a former peace officer who departs full-time employment in an honorable manner, within five years of that departure, if the officer meets the section's requirements. Judges and law enforcement officials have their own track, the LEOJ permit under Utah Code 53-5a-311, which R722-300-8 runs through this same packet plus proof of position and the training in Utah Code 53-5a-311(2)(b).

Nonresidents and the home-state permit rule

This is the step nonresidents get wrong. Utah Code 53-5a-303(4)(a) says a nonresident who resides in a state that recognizes the validity of the Utah permit, or that has reciprocity with Utah's permit law, shall hold a current concealed firearm or concealed weapon permit from their own state and submit a copy of it. The condition attaches only if your home state recognizes the Utah permit. If it does not, you may apply without one.

BCI's guidance says you are a resident of whichever state issued your ID, but the controlling definition is broader: R722-300-3(2)(i) treats you as a nonresident if you do not live in Utah or have established a domicile outside Utah as defined in Utah Code 41-1a-202. If ID and domicile point at different states, use the stricter test. BCI publishes a matrix showing whether each state honors Utah's standard permit, the provisional permit, both, or neither, and whether a home permit is required. Check your own row before filing.

Utah Code 53-5a-303(4)(c) applies the rule to nonresident renewals too, and the penalty for gaming it is severe. Under Utah Code 53-5a-303(4)(b), a nonresident who knowingly and willfully gives the bureau false information on this point is barred from holding a Utah permit for 10 years, and Utah Code 53-5a-304(3)(b) extends the same bar to a provisional application.

Utah Code 53-5a-303(1)(d) turns the requirement off for a nonresident active duty service member who presents orders to report for duty in Utah, and for the spouse stationed with that member who presents the same orders.

Provisional permits for applicants 18 to 20

Utah Code 53-5a-304 directs the bureau to issue a provisional permit to an applicant 18 but younger than 21, within 60 days, unless the applicant fails the qualifications in Utah Code 53-5a-303(2). The form and the packet under Utah Code 53-5a-304(4) match the standard permit: residence address, photograph, fingerprints, and evidence of general familiarity.

The provisional permit expires when the holder turns 21 and, under R722-300-6(7), cannot be renewed.

Converting to a standard permit is its own filing. Utah Code 53-5a-303(1)(b) lets a provisional holder apply within the 90 days before turning 21, requires the bureau to act within 60 days, makes the new permit invalid until the applicant is 21, and does not require retaking the firearms training. Subsection (1)(b)(iii)(B) sets the conversion fee at $10 before July 1, 2026, and at a bureau-set fee after that. BCI uses a dedicated form, the Application to Switch from a Provisional Permit to a Regular Permit, and asks for a new photo plus copies of your driver license and provisional permit.

Temporary permits

Utah Code 53-5a-305 allows a temporary permit for an applicant with a standard application already pending who files separately and shows extenuating circumstances in writing. It lasts at most 90 days, or until the standard permit issues.

What BCI checks, and how long it takes

Under Utah Code 53-5a-306, on receipt of the prints and fees the bureau searches its own criminal history files and asks the FBI to search federal files. Prints too poor for the FBI to run can get the application or permit denied, suspended, or revoked until legible ones arrive. R722-300-4(4) describes the rest as a thorough investigation across state and national records, including Utah criminal history, the National Crime Information Center, driver license and warrant systems, juvenile court files, and the National Instant Background Check System. The deadline is 60 days from receipt.

Denial, suspension, revocation, and appeal

Utah Code 53-5a-303(2)(a) lets the bureau deny, suspend, or revoke a permit if the applicant or holder has been or is convicted of a felony, a crime of violence, or an offense involving the use of alcohol, the unlawful use of narcotics or other controlled substances, moral turpitude, or domestic violence; has been adjudicated mentally incompetent by a state or federal court, unless that adjudication was withdrawn or reversed; or cannot lawfully purchase and possess a firearm under Title 76, Chapter 11, Part 3 or federal law.

R722-300-3 defines those categories, and they run wider than readers assume. A felony is a crime punishable by imprisonment in excess of one year. A crime of violence has as an element the use, threatened use, or attempted use of physical force or a dangerous weapon. Domestic violence keys to Utah Code 77-36-1 and 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(33). Moral turpitude covers conduct knowingly contrary to justice, honesty, or good morals, falsification or fraud, or harm to another person or property. The alcohol and narcotics categories reach impaired driving under Utah Code 41-6a-501(2), liquor offenses, Title 58 controlled substance offenses, and carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence under Utah Code 76-11-217.

Utah Code 53-5a-303(3) adds a danger-to-self-or-others ground, shown by a past pattern of unlawful violence or threats of it, past participation in such incidents, or conviction of an offense in Title 76, Chapter 11, Weapons. R722-300-3(2)(o) defines that pattern as verifiable incidents, whether or not there was an arrest or conviction, that would lead a reasonable person to believe the individual is a danger to self or others, including an attempt or threat to commit suicide. Utah Code 53-5a-303(3)(b) forbids action taken solely on a single conviction for an infraction-level Title 76, Chapter 11 offense.

One suspension is not discretionary. Under Utah Code 53-5a-303(3)(d), the bureau shall suspend a permit if the holder becomes a temporarily restricted person under Utah Code 53-5a-504, the voluntary restriction list. The permit is reinstated on removal from that list, unless it was revoked, expired, or suspended for another reason, or the holder became a restricted person under Utah Code 76-11-302 or 76-11-303.

Mitigation is built in. Utah Code 53-5a-303(2)(b) requires the bureau to consider mitigating circumstances, and R722-300-4(5) lets BCI find them where the applicant was not convicted of a registerable sex offense under Utah Code 53-29-202 and enough time has passed since conviction or release from incarceration, parole, or probation, whichever came last: five years for a class A misdemeanor, four years for a class B misdemeanor, and three years for any other misdemeanor or infraction. It cannot rescue an applicant prohibited from possessing a firearm.

A denial is appealable. Utah Code 53-5a-303(16) gives you 60 days from receipt of the written decision, sent by certified mail return receipt requested, to petition the Concealed Firearm Review Board under Utah Code 53-5a-302. The denial must state the general reasons, you may access the evidence behind it under the Government Records Access and Management Act, and the bureau carries the burden of proof. The board issues a final order within 30 days, and that order is final agency action for judicial review under Utah Code 63G-4-402. Instructors appeal the same way.

Fees, and why the published numbers move

Utah Code 53-5a-307 fixed the application fee at $25, plus an additional $35 for nonresidents, only through June 30, 2026. On and after July 1, 2026 that section calls for a fee set by the bureau, and Utah Code 53-5a-303(17)(a) is the provision directing the bureau to establish the fees authorized in this part in accordance with the procedures in Utah Code 63J-1-504. The same split applies to provisional permit fees under Utah Code 53-5a-308. Because the amounts become bureau-set, confirm the current figure on BCI's application page before writing the check.

BCI's published cost to apply is $52 for Utah residents and $87 for nonresidents. R722-300-4(1)(b)(v) says what a packet has to carry: the fees under Utah Code 53-5a-307, 53-5a-308, and 53-10-108 plus a fee for the FBI's background check. BCI does not itemize its published figure, so treat $52 and $87 as the amount to send rather than a sum you can reconstruct. The $20 BCI fingerprinting fee is charged separately if you have your prints taken there. Utah Code 53-5a-307(1)(c) waives the initial fee for a law enforcement officer under Utah Code 53-13-103, an active duty service member, that member's spouse, and a school employee.

Utah Concealed Firearm Permit Fees and Costs

The Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) collects the permit fees charged under Utah's concealed firearm permit statutes, though not every firearm-related state fee runs through it. Utah Code 53-5a-602(10)(a) puts the criminal history background check fee for a dealer sale on the dealer, who collects it and forwards it to the bureau. As published by BCI, a first-time permit application costs $52 for a Utah resident and $87 for a non-resident. Renewal costs $20 for residents and $50 for non-residents by mail or in person, or $20.75 and $50.75 online after a $0.75 convenience fee. A replacement card costs $10.

Before you write a check, read on. Utah changed how these numbers are set, and the amount on a printed application may not be what BCI charges today.

The July 1, 2026 change you have to know about

Utah's permit fees used to be hard numbers in the statute. They are not anymore. Utah Code 53-5a-303(17)(a) is the hinge: "The bureau shall, beginning July 1, 2026, establish fees authorized in this part in accordance with the procedures specified in Section 63J-1-504." Matching that, Utah Code 53-5a-307 now states each permit fee twice, one amount that applied before July 1, 2026, and, on or after that date, "a fee set by the bureau." The same split appears in Utah Code 53-5a-308 for provisional permits, in 53-5a-303 for the provisional-to-standard application fee, and in 53-5a-303(9)(d) for instructor certification fees.

The bureau cannot pick a number freely. Utah Code 63J-1-504(2) requires a fee agency to adopt a fee schedule and each fee to be reasonable, fair, and based on the agency's cost. Under 63J-1-504(4), the agency must present a proposed fee at a public hearing subject to the Open and Public Meetings Act, adjust it based on that hearing, submit the schedule to the Legislature with its annual appropriations request, and modify the schedule to implement the Legislature's actions. Utah Code 63J-1-504(5)(b) lets the Legislature approve, increase or decrease and approve, or reject any fee. Under 63J-1-504(6) an agency may not charge an amount different from the one approved, and 63J-1-504(7)(a) requires it to make all efforts to refund each payor any excess. Utah Code 53-5a-303(17)(b) adds a permit-specific duty: with its fee submission the bureau must also report five years of permit-holder counts and of Concealed Weapons Account revenue and expenditures, resident and non-resident revenue broken out.

Practical takeaway: the dollar figures below are the ones the statute fixed for the period before July 1, 2026, plus the totals BCI publishes. Confirm the current amount on BCI's concealed firearm pages or at 801-965-4445 before mailing a payment.

Fee table

BCI's published totals of $52 and $87 are larger than the $25 statutory application fee. BCI does not publish a line-item breakdown, so treat what follows as the likely mechanism rather than a stated accounting. Utah Code 53-5a-307(6)(a) lets the bureau collect any fees charged by an outside agency for additional services required by statute as a prerequisite to issuance, and forward them to that agency. Utah Administrative Code R722-300-4(1)(b)(v) requires the application packet to include the non-refundable fees under Sections 53-5a-307, 53-5a-308, and 53-10-108, plus a fee for the FBI's federal background check under Subsections 53-5a-307(6)(a) and 53-5a-308(4)(a). The $35 gap between the resident and non-resident totals matches the non-resident add-on in 53-5a-307(1)(b).

BCI's fee notice attributes the non-resident increases to 2025 session legislation effective May 7, 2025, listing a new non-resident initial fee of $87 and renewal fee of $50.

Who does not pay

Utah Code 53-5a-307(1)(c) directs the bureau to waive the initial fee for an applicant who is:

• a law enforcement officer as defined in Utah Code 53-13-103,
• an active duty service member,
• the spouse of an active duty service member, or
• a school employee.

Utah Administrative Code R722-300-4(3)(a) repeats that a law enforcement officer applicant may not be required to pay the fee.

Read that waiver narrowly. It reaches the initial fee. The renewal fee provision in Utah Code 53-5a-307(2) carries no matching waiver list. At the rule level, R722-300-6(1)(b)(iv) excuses the renewal processing fee for an active duty service member who presents orders requiring the member to report for duty in Utah, and for that member's spouse presenting the same orders, but it does not extend the relief to school employees or law enforcement officers. If you are a school employee renewing, ask BCI rather than assuming the initial-application waiver carries over. Separately, Utah Code 53-5a-312 exempts an active duty service member holding a Utah permit from the non-resident home-state permit requirement in 53-5a-303(4)(a) at renewal, which removes the cost of first buying a permit in the member's state of residence.

Renewal timing, late fees, and the one-year cliff

Renewal money is easy to waste on bad timing. Three rules control it.

1. You cannot renew more than 90 days before your permit expires. BCI states this on its renewal pages, and Utah Administrative Code R722-300-6(2) sets the same 90-day window for both permits and instructor certifications.
2. A late fee applies to a renewal packet submitted on a permit or instructor certification expired for more than 30 days but less than one year. That is the definition in Utah Code 53-5a-307(4)(b), and R722-300-6(3)(a) applies it to instructor certifications as well.
3. Once a permit or instructor certification has been expired for more than one year, R722-300-6(3)(b) says the renewal packet will not be accepted and the applicant will have to re-apply, which means a fresh application at the full application fee. The course cost comes back too: Utah Code 53-5a-303(8)(d) excuses a renewal applicant from retaking the firearms training only if the individual holds an unexpired permit or one that expired less than a year before the renewal application was submitted, and R722-300-4(2) requires the instructor certificate in an application packet to have been issued within one year of the application date.

Provisional permits cannot be renewed at all. Utah Administrative Code R722-300-6(7) says so, and BCI directs provisional holders to apply for the standard permit instead. Under Utah Code 53-5a-303(1)(b), a provisional holder may apply within the 90 days before turning 21 for a $10 application fee (bureau-set on or after July 1, 2026) and is not required to retake the firearms training. BCI's provisional guidance describes the same $10 fee and adds that the bureau cannot accept that application more than 90 days before the provisional permit expires or more than one year after.

The permit fees in this system are non-refundable. R722-300-4 and R722-300-6 describe the application and renewal fees that way, and BCI states that all fees previously incurred to obtain or renew a permit are non-refundable. The one carve-out sits outside the permit statutes: Utah Code 63J-1-504(7)(a) requires a refund of any amount charged above what the Legislature approved. Payment may be cash, check, money order, or credit card under the rule. BCI asks that checks be payable to the "Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification" and advises against mailing cash.

Fingerprinting

Utah Code 53-5a-306 requires each permit applicant's fingerprints on a form prescribed by the bureau. The bureau runs its state search and asks the FBI to run a federal search only after it has the prints, the applicant fingerprint card fee prescribed in Utah Code 53-10-108, and the permit fee under 53-5a-307 or 53-5a-308. Illegible prints are a real cost: under 53-5a-306(1)(c), if the prints are insufficient for the FBI search, the application or permit may be denied, suspended, or revoked until sufficient prints are submitted.

One saving is built in. Utah Code 53-5a-306(2)(b) provides that if the applicant previously applied to the bureau for a concealed firearm permit, "No additional application form, fingerprints, or fee are required under this Subsection (2)."

BCI sells fingerprinting to the public by appointment. Its published schedule prints fingerprint cards (up to three cards) as "$15.00 ($20 after July 1, 2025)" and each additional card after three at $5.00, so the operative figure today is $20, which BCI presents as the new fee following 2025 session legislation. Confirm the current amount when you book.

Course and instructor costs

Utah does not set the price your students pay for the required firearms familiarity course. That price is set by the certified instructor. What state law fixes is the certification cost on the instructor side.

An instructor's certification is valid for three years under Utah Code 53-5a-303(9)(b). To obtain or renew it, an instructor must attend an instructional course and pass a test under the direction of the bureau, and under 53-5a-303(9)(c)(ii)(A) the bureau must provide or contract to provide that course twice every year, covering current Utah firearm law and the use of deadly force by private citizens. Certification cost $50 initially and $25 to renew before July 1, 2026, with both amounts now determined by the bureau. Under 53-5a-303(9)(d)(iii), the bureau may use those fees as a dedicated credit for maintaining and improving the instructor program.

BCI publishes a $35 registration cost for its in-person instructor course, payable at registration, with first-time applicants required to attend in person. Add the instructor's official seal, which Utah Code 53-5a-303(11) requires on every student certificate. BCI states it has received estimates that such a stamp should cost approximately $25.00 to create.

What the permit saves you at the gun counter

Utah Code 53-5a-602 requires a criminal history background check for a firearm sale by a licensed dealer, and 53-5a-602(10)(a) requires the dealer to collect a background check fee. As of the version effective July 1, 2026, the statute no longer names a dollar figure. Utah Code 53-5a-602(10)(b) says the fee remains in effect until changed by the bureau through the 63J-1-504 process. BCI's firearm transfers page lists a $12.50 firearm transaction (Brady check) fee following 2025 session legislation.

A permit holder is exempt from both the check and the fee under Utah Code 53-5a-602(11)(a), but only if the buyer presents the permit to the dealer before the purchase and the dealer verifies with the bureau that it is valid. A standard permit under 53-5a-303 and a provisional permit under 53-5a-304 both qualify. A temporary permit under 53-5a-305 does not: Utah Code 53-5a-602(11)(b) says a temporary permit holder is not exempt from the check or the fee. Utah Code 53-5a-602(12)(a) exempts a law enforcement officer from the fee for a personal firearm to be carried off duty, on proof of current employment by a letter of good standing from the commanding officer plus current law enforcement photo identification. That exemption is capped: Utah Code 53-5a-602(12)(b) says it "may only be used by a law enforcement officer to purchase a personal firearm once in a 24-month period."

One caution on the dollar figure. BCI's concealed firearm permit page describes the permit as letting a dealer verify it "in lieu of the $7.50 background check," while BCI's firearm transfers page announces a $12.50 fee. The two pages do not agree. Treat the transfers page and BCI's current fee schedule as controlling, and ask BCI or your dealer for the amount in force.

Where the fee money goes

Utah Code 53-5a-307(5) creates the Concealed Weapons Account, a restricted account within the General Fund, funded from fees collected under Sections 53-5a-307 and 53-5a-308. The money may be used only for costs relating to permit issuance under that part or the programs described in Utah Code 26B-5-102(3) and 26B-5-611. No later than 90 days after the fiscal year ends, 50% of revenues over expenditures goes to the Suicide Prevention and Education Fund created in Utah Code 26B-1-326. Provisional permit fees go to the same account under 53-5a-308(3).

Before you quote a price

Two items are genuinely open. First, the bureau-set schedule that replaced the statutory dollar amounts on July 1, 2026 lives in BCI's fee schedule and the Legislature's appropriations act, not in Title 53 Chapter 5a, so the statute will not tell you today's number. Second, the applicant fingerprint card fee referenced in 53-5a-306 is set by Utah Code 53-10-108, not by the permit statute. Confirm both with BCI at bci.utah.gov or 801-965-4445 before you collect money from a student or mail a packet.

Utah Weapon Restrictions for Concealed Carry

Overview

Utah Code § 53-5a-102.2, effective May 7, 2025, establishes the framework for open and concealed carry of firearms, including specific location-based restrictions that vary depending on the individual's age, permit status, and carry method.

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Permitless Carry (Constitutional Carry) — Age 21+

Individuals 21 years old or older may open or conceal carry a loaded or unloaded firearm without a concealed carry permit on public streets and other places not prohibited by state or federal law (§ 53-5a-102.2(1)(b)).

However, individuals carrying without a permit (open or concealed) may NOT carry a firearm in the following locations:

1. Secure areas established under § 76-8-311.1 where dangerous weapons are prohibited and notice is posted
2. Public or private elementary school or secondary school premises (§ 76-11-205)
3. Institutions of higher education premises (§ 76-11-205.5)
4. Daycare premises (§ 76-11-206)
5. Airport secure areas (§ 76-11-218)
6. Houses of worship or private residences where dangerous weapons are prohibited (§ 76-11-219)
7. Any other place prohibited by state statute or federal law

(§ 53-5a-102.2(2)(a) and (2)(b))

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Individuals Age 18–20 Without a Provisional Carry Permit

Individuals 18 years old or older but younger than 21 without a provisional carry permit issued under § 53-5a-305 may only carry in an open manner:

• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in a vehicle they are lawfully present in
• An unloaded or loaded handgun in a vehicle they are lawfully present in
• An unloaded firearm that they may otherwise lawfully carry, on a public street

(§ 53-5a-102.2(1)(a))

These individuals are subject to the same prohibited location restrictions as permitless carriers age 21+ listed above.

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Concealed Carry Permit Holders (Utah-Issued Permits)

Individuals 18 years old or older with a valid Utah concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-303), temporary concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-304), or provisional concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-305) may open or conceal carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in vehicles, on public streets, and in any place not prohibited by state or federal law (§ 53-5a-102.2(1)(c)).

Utah concealed carry permit holders may NOT carry in:

1. Secure areas established under § 76-8-311.1 where dangerous weapons are prohibited and notice is posted
2. Airport secure areas (§ 76-11-218)
3. Houses of worship or private residences where dangerous weapons are prohibited (§ 76-11-219)
4. Any other place prohibited by state statute or federal law

(§ 53-5a-102.2(2)(c))

Note: Utah concealed carry permit holders (age 21+) are not restricted from carrying on school premises, institutions of higher education, or daycares — unlike permitless carriers.

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Additional Restrictions for Specific Permit Types

Provisional Concealed Carry Permit Holders (Age 18–20)

In addition to the restrictions for all permit holders, individuals age 18 but younger than 21 with a provisional concealed carry permit under § 53-5a-304 may NOT carry the firearm in any manner on or about the premises of a public or private elementary school or secondary school as described in § 76-11-205 (§ 53-5a-102.2(2)(d)(i)).

Note: The statute references the provisional concealed carry permit under § 53-5a-304 in subsection (2)(d)(i), while subsection (1)(c) associates the provisional concealed carry permit with § 53-5a-305 and the temporary concealed carry permit with § 53-5a-304.

Out-of-State Concealed Carry Permit Holders

Individuals carrying with a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by another state may NOT carry the firearm in any manner:

• On or about public or private elementary school or secondary school premises (§ 76-11-205)
• On or about institution of higher education premises (§ 76-11-205.5)
• On or about daycare premises (§ 76-11-206)

(§ 53-5a-102.2(2)(d)(ii))

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Private Property Rights

• The owner or lawful possessor of a vehicle may prohibit another individual from carrying a firearm in their vehicle (§ 53-5a-102.2(3)(a))
• The owner or lawful lessee of private real property may prohibit another individual from possessing a firearm on the property, except as provided in § 53-5a-102.3 (§ 53-5a-102.2(3)(b))

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Vehicle Carry Requirements

An individual is considered "lawfully present" in a vehicle while carrying a firearm 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

(§ 53-5a-102.2(4))

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Summary Table: Prohibited Locations by Carry Status

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Pending Legislation

Proposed 2026 General Session legislation that may affect § 53-5a-102.2 includes: H.B. 84 (and substitutes S1–S3), H.B. 166, H.B. 180 (and substitutes S1–S2), and S.B. 260.

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Enacted by Chapter 208, 2025 General Session. Effective May 7, 2025.

Carrying a Dangerous Weapon While Under the Influence in Utah

Statute Reference

Utah Code § 76-11-217 — Carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Effective 5/7/2025 — Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 208, 2025 General Session)

Offense

A person commits this offense if they:

1. Carry a dangerous weapon that is readily accessible for immediate use; AND
2. Are under the influence of:
   • Alcohol — as determined by blood or breath alcohol concentration in accordance with Utah Code §§ 41-6a-502(1)(a) through (c) (the same DUI standards); OR
   • A controlled substance — as defined in Utah Code § 58-37-2

Penalty

• A violation is a Class B misdemeanor.

Exceptions

The law does not apply to:

1. Self-defense — An actor who uses or threatens to use force in compliance with Utah Code § 76-2-402 (justification for use of force).
2. In a residence — An actor carrying a dangerous weapon in their own residence or in another individual's residence with the consent of the person lawfully in possession of that residence.
3. Medical cannabis users — An actor under the influence of cannabis or a cannabis product (as defined in § 26B-4-201) if their use complies with Title 26B, Chapter 4, Part 2 (Cannabinoid Research and Medical Cannabis).
4. Valid prescription holders — An actor who:
   • Has a valid prescription for a controlled substance;
   • Takes the controlled substance as prescribed; AND
   • After taking the substance, is either not a danger to themselves or others, OR is capable of safely handling a dangerous weapon.

Not a Defense

The following are explicitly not defenses to prosecution under this section:

• Having a wildlife/hunting license
• Having a concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-303)
• Having a provisional concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-304)
• Having a temporary concealed carry permit (§ 53-5a-305)
• Having a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by another state
• Being 21 years old or older and otherwise lawfully permitted to carry a concealed loaded firearm without a permit (§ 53-5a-101.5)

Key Takeaways for Permit Holders

• A concealed carry permit does not protect you from prosecution for carrying while under the influence.
• Utah's permitless carry law (for those 21+) also does not provide a defense.
• The alcohol threshold is tied to the same standards used for DUI offenses under § 41-6a-502.
• The law applies to any dangerous weapon, not just firearms.

Pending Legislation

Proposed 2026 General Session legislation may affect § 76-11-217: H.B. 301 / H.B. 301 S1.

Utah Storage Requirements for Concealed Carry

No State-Mandated Firearm Storage Requirements

Utah does not impose specific firearm storage requirements on concealed carry permit holders or gun owners generally. There is no state statute mandating the use of gun safes, lock boxes, trigger locks, or other secure storage devices for firearms in the home or vehicle.

Preemption of Local Storage Regulations

Under Utah Code § 53-5a-102 (Effective 5/7/2025), the Utah Legislature has declared that it "occupies the whole field of state regulation of firearms" and has established uniform firearm laws throughout the state:

• A local or state governmental entity may not prohibit an individual from owning, possessing, purchasing, selling, transferring, transporting, or keeping a firearm, ammunition, or a firearm accessory at the individual's place of residence, property, business, or in any vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present (§ 53-5a-102(2)(a)).
• A local or state governmental entity may not require an individual to have a permit or license to purchase, own, possess, transport, or keep a firearm, ammunition, or a firearm accessory (§ 53-5a-102(2)(b)).
• Unless specifically authorized by the Legislature, a local or state governmental entity may not enact, establish, or enforce a directive pertaining to firearms that "in any way inhibits or restricts the possession, ownership, purchase, sale, transfer, transport, or use of firearms" on either public or private property (§ 53-5a-102(5)).
• Violations of this preemption provision are subject to the Firearm Preemption Enforcement Act (Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 23).

This means that no city, county, or other local government in Utah can impose firearm storage requirements beyond what state law provides.

Private Property Rights

While there are no mandatory storage laws, Utah law does recognize private property rights:

• Under § 53-5a-102.2(3), the owner or lawful possessor of a vehicle may prohibit another individual from carrying a firearm in the vehicle.
• The owner or lawful lessee of private real property may prohibit another individual from possessing a firearm on the property (subject to exceptions in § 53-5a-102.3).

Provisions Related to Minors and Firearms

Although Utah does not mandate specific storage requirements, several statutes under Title 76, Chapter 11, Part 2 (General Weapons Violations) address the responsibility of parents and guardians regarding minors' access to firearms:

• § 76-11-211 — Possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor
• § 76-11-212 — Transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor
• § 76-11-213 — Parent or guardian providing a firearm to a violent minor
• § 76-11-214 — Parent or guardian knowing a minor is in possession of a dangerous weapon
• § 76-11-215 — Selling a firearm to a minor

These provisions create potential criminal liability for adults who improperly allow minors access to firearms, which may indirectly encourage secure storage practices, though they do not constitute explicit storage mandates.

Vehicle Storage

Utah law does not impose specific requirements for how firearms must be stored in vehicles. Under § 53-5a-102.2 (Effective 5/7/2025):

• Individuals 21 and older may carry loaded or unloaded firearms (open or concealed) in a vehicle without a permit.
• Individuals 18–20 without a provisional carry permit may carry an unloaded or loaded handgun openly in a vehicle, and unloaded long guns openly in a vehicle.
• An individual is considered "lawfully present" in a vehicle if the vehicle is in their lawful possession or they have consent from the person lawfully in possession (§ 53-5a-102.2(4)).

Recent Changes

The current statutory framework under Title 53, Chapter 5a was enacted/amended by Chapter 173 and Chapter 208 of the 2025 General Session, effective May 7, 2025. These changes reorganized and renumbered Utah's firearm laws but did not introduce new storage requirements.

Pending Legislation (2026 General Session)

Several bills have been proposed for the 2026 General Session that may affect § 53-5a-102.2, including H.B. 84 (and substitutes), H.B. 166, H.B. 180 (and substitutes), and S.B. 260. The specific content of these bills should be monitored for any potential changes to storage or carry requirements.

Utah State Preemption of Firearm Laws

Utah has a strong state preemption law that reserves the authority to regulate firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories to the state legislature. This is codified in Utah Code § 53-5a-102 (effective 5/7/2025).

Constitutional Basis

The Legislature explicitly recognizes the individual right to keep and bear arms as a constitutionally protected right under both:

• Utah Constitution, Article I, Section 6
• Second Amendment to the United States Constitution

Key Provisions

Full Field Preemption: The Legislature declares that it "occupies the whole field of state regulation of firearms" and finds the need to provide uniform civil and criminal firearm laws throughout the state (§ 53-5a-102(1)).

Restrictions on Local and State Governmental Entities: Except as specifically provided by state law, a local or state governmental entity may not:

• Prohibit an individual from owning, possessing, purchasing, selling, transferring, transporting, or keeping a firearm, ammunition, or a firearm accessory at the individual's place of residence, property, business, or in any vehicle in which the individual is lawfully present (§ 53-5a-102(2)(a)).
• Require an individual to have a permit or license to purchase, own, possess, transport, or keep a firearm, ammunition, or a firearm accessory (§ 53-5a-102(2)(b)).

Uniform Application: The firearm laws under Part 1 of Chapter 5a and Title 76, Chapter 11 (Weapons) are uniformly applicable throughout the state and in all political subdivisions of the state (§ 53-5a-102(3)).

Reservation of Authority: Authority to regulate firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories is reserved to the state except where the Legislature specifically delegates responsibility to local or state governmental entities (§ 53-5a-102(4)).

Broad Prohibition on Local Regulation: Unless specifically authorized by the Legislature by statute, a local or state governmental entity may not enact, establish, or enforce a directive pertaining to firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories that in any way inhibits or restricts the possession, ownership, purchase, sale, transfer, transport, or use of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories on either public or private property (§ 53-5a-102(5)).

Private Property Rights

The preemption statute does not restrict or expand private property rights (§ 53-5a-102(6)).

Enforcement

Violations of the preemption law are subject to the Firearm Preemption Enforcement Act (Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 23) (§ 53-5a-102(7)).

Recent Amendments

This section was amended by Chapter 173 and Chapter 208 of the 2025 General Session, with an effective date of May 7, 2025.