Utah concealed carry laws and reciprocity

Utah's carry authorization statute (53-5a-102.2) and permit statute (53-5a-303) contain no requirement to inform an officer or display a permit on request.

Anyone 18 or older who may lawfully possess firearms may carry a loaded or unloaded handgun in a vehicle in which they are lawfully present without a permit; rifles and shotguns must be unloaded unless the person holds a permit (Utah Code 53-5a-102.2, 76-11-204).

Individuals 21 or older who may lawfully possess firearms may carry a loaded or unloaded firearm openly or concealed without a permit (Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(b)); BCI says H.B. 60 took effect May 5, 2021. Those 18 to 20 without a provisional permit may carry only unloaded in public, though a loaded handgun is allowed in a vehicle.

BCI shall issue a concealed carry permit to an applicant 21 or older within 60 days unless it finds the applicant is not qualified under the statute (Utah Code 53-5a-303); a provisional permit is available to those 18 to 20 (53-5a-304).

Utah issues standard and provisional permits to nonresidents; a nonresident whose home state recognizes the Utah permit or has reciprocity with Utah must also hold and submit a copy of a current permit from their state of residence (Utah Code 53-5a-303(4), 53-5a-304(3)).

Individuals 21 or older (and permit holders 18 or older) may openly carry a loaded firearm in places not otherwise prohibited; those 18 to 20 without a provisional permit may openly carry only an unloaded firearm in public (Utah Code 53-5a-102.2, 76-11-220). Open carry on college campuses is prohibited (76-11-205.5).

Posted notice is legally enforceable for houses of worship and private residences (an infraction under Utah Code 76-11-219) and for posted secure areas under 76-8-311.1; other private property owners may prohibit firearms on their property under 53-5a-102.2(3).

Establishments serving alcohol are not among the places listed in Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2), but carrying a readily accessible dangerous weapon while under the influence of alcohol at or above the DUI limit is a class B misdemeanor, and a permit is no defense (76-11-217).

State parks are not among the places listed in Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2) where carrying is restricted, and Utah State Parks' rules address only discharge, which is barred from vehicles, roads, campsites, park buildings, picnic sites, overlooks, boat ramps and developed beaches and within 600 feet of a house or other building.

Carry is prohibited in a house of worship only if it has given notice (personal communication, signs, congregational announcement, bulletin, or newspaper publication) that firearms are prohibited; violation is an infraction (Utah Code 76-11-219).

Concealed carry on college campuses is allowed for permit holders and permitless carriers 21 or older, but open carry is a class C misdemeanor (76-11-205.5), and 18-to-20-year-olds without a provisional permit may not carry there at all (53-5a-102.2(2)).

Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(2) bars carry in posted secure areas (76-8-311.1), airport secure areas, and houses of worship or private residences that have given notice; permitless carriers and out-of-state-permit-only holders also may not carry on K-12 school or daycare premises, and open carry is barred on K-12 and college campuses.

An individual has no duty to retreat from force or threatened force in a place where the individual has lawfully entered or remained, and failure to retreat is not relevant to reasonableness (Utah Code 76-2-402(4)).

Utah's weapons offenses (Utah Code Title 76, Chapter 11) and general firearm laws (Title 53, Chapter 5a) contain no magazine capacity limit.

Utah's weapons offenses (Utah Code Title 76, Chapter 11) and general firearm laws (Title 53, Chapter 5a) contain no assault weapons ban.

Utah's weapons chapter (Utah Code Title 76, Chapter 11, Parts 1-3) contains no provision prohibiting or regulating firearm suppressors or silencers. The value rests on the absence of any state provision; federal NFA rules apply separately.

Utah defines short barreled rifles (76-11-101) but does not prohibit possessing them; 76-11-203 makes it a second degree felony only to conceal a short barreled rifle that is unlawfully possessed (for example not in compliance with federal law) in a readily accessible manner. Possession in compliance with federal NFA rules is not restricted by state law.

Utah defines short barreled shotguns (76-11-101) but does not prohibit possessing them; 76-11-203 makes it a second degree felony only to conceal a short barreled shotgun that is unlawfully possessed (for example not in compliance with federal law) in a readily accessible manner. Possession in compliance with federal NFA rules is not restricted by state law.