Utah Gun Control Laws

Utah Code, Title 76, Chapter 10, Sections 76-10-500 through 76-10-532

• Restrictions on possession, purchase, transfer, and ownership of dangerous weapons by certain persons — Section 76-10-503
• Carrying concealed firearm—Penalties — Section 76-10-504
• Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle or on the street — Section 76-10-505
• Possession of a dangerous weapon, firearm, or short-barreled shotgun on or about school premises—Penalties — Section 76-10-505.5
• Prohibition of possession of certain weapons by minors — Section 76-10-509.4
• Possession of loaded firearm at residence or on real property authorized — Section 76-10-511
• Persons exempt from weapons laws — Section 76-10-523
• Criminal background check before purchasing a firearm — Section 76-10-526

Utah Code, Title 53, Chapter 5, Sections 53-5-701 through 53-5-712

• Bureau duties — Permit to carry a concealed firearm — Section 53-5-704
• Provisional permit to carry a concealed firearm — Section 53-5-704.5
• A temporary permit to carry a concealed firearm — Section 53-5-705

Utah does not ban specific types of firearms. But, it does prohibit people under 18 years of age from possessing:

• Short-barreled rifles
• Short-barreled shotguns
• Fully automatic weapons
• Machine gun firearm attachments
• Handguns

Utah's firearm prohibitions extend to two groups: Category I restricted persons and Category II restricted persons. Unlawful firearm possession by those in Category I face second-degree felony charges. Unlawful firearm possession by those in Category II face third-degree felony charges.

Category I restricted persons include those who:

• Have been convicted of a violent felony
• Are on probation or parole for any felony
• Are on parole from a secure care facility
• Have been adjudicated delinquent for an offense that if committed by an adult would have been a violent felony within the last 10 years
• Are aliens, illegally or unlawfully in the United States
• Are on probation for a conviction of possessing certain controlled substances or a controlled substance analog

Category II restricted persons include those who:

• Have been convicted of a felony domestic violence offense
• Have been convicted of certain combinations of other felonies or misdemeanors that are not a domestic violence offense or a violent felony within the last seven years
• Have been adjudicated delinquent for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would have been a felony within the last seven years
• Are unlawful users of a controlled substance
• Are in possession of a dangerous weapon and are knowingly and intentionally in unlawful possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance
• Have been found not guilty by reason of insanity for a felony offense
• Have been found mentally incompetent to stand trial for a felony offense
• Have been adjudicated as mentally defective as provided in the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act or have been committed to a mental institution
• Have been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces
• Have renounced their citizenship after having been a citizen of the United States
• Are the subject of certain types of protective orders where they had notice and opportunity to participate and a court found they represented a credible threat to an intimate partner or child and explicitly prohibited use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force
• Have been convicted of misdemeanor assault against a person who qualifies as a family or household member under relevant law

To get a concealed firearm permit, a person must:

• Be at least 21 (regular permit) or at least 18 (provisional permit).
• Not have been convicted of a felony or crime of violence
• Not have been convicted of an offense involving the use of alcohol
• Not have been convicted of an offense involving the unlawful use of narcotics or other controlled substances
• Not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude
• Not have been convicted of an offense involving domestic violence
• Not have been adjudicated by a state or federal court as mentally incompetent
• Be qualified to purchase and possess a firearm under Utah and federal law

Utah has varying penalties for illegal possession of a firearm.

• Possessing a firearm when prohibited by law is a second-degree felony if the offender is considered a Category I restricted person. It is punishable by one to 15 years in prison; a fine of up to $10,000; or both.
• Possessing a firearm when prohibited by law is a third-degree felony if the offender is considered a Category II restricted person. It is punishable by up to five years in prison; a fine of up to $5,000; or both.
• Violating Utah's concealed carry laws is a class B misdemeanor if the firearm is unloaded and a class A misdemeanor if it is loaded. A class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in jail; a fine of up to $1,000; or both. A class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to 364 days in jail; a fine of up to $2,500; or both.
• Carrying a concealed, unlawfully possessed short-barreled shotgun or a short-barreled rifle is a second-degree felony, punishable by one to 15 years in prison; a fine of up to $10,000; or both.
• Using a concealed firearm in the commission of a violent felony offense is a second-degree felony, punishable by one to 15 years in prison; a fine of up to $10,000; or both.
• Illegal carrying of a loaded firearm in a vehicle or on a public street is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail; a $1,000 fine; or both.
• Illegal provision of a handgun to a minor is a Class B misdemeanor on a first offense, punishable by up to six months in jail; a $1,000 fine; or both. On a second offense, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail; a $2,500 fine; or both.
• Illegal provision to a minor of a short-barreled shotgun, a short-barreled rifle; a fully automatic weapon; or a machine gun firearm attachment is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison; a fine of up to $5,000; or both.