Utah Concealed Carry Firearm Laws

Utah: Gun Laws Summary

Utah is a shall-issue state, and permits are issued by the Bureau of Criminal Identification. As of May 5, 2021, both open carry and concealed carry of a loaded firearm are legal for anyone at least 21 years old who may lawfully possess a firearm. Utah Concealed Firearm Permits (CFP) are still offered for individuals interested in reciprocity to carry in other states. Non-residents at least 21 years of age who have a permit from their home state may also apply. Some areas are off-limits, including courthouses and secured areas of airports. Concealed carry permits require a firearms familiarity course that has been certified by the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). In terms of reciprocity, since Utah has permitless carry, any person 21 years of age and older who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on his or her person without a license or permit.

Self-Defense

Utah is a Castle Doctrine state (called defense of habitation) and has a “stand your ground” law. There is no duty to retreat if a person feels deadly force is justified to prevent a felony from being committed any place where a person has a legal right to be.

Force in Defense of Person

An individual is justified in threatening or using force 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 deadly force 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 imminent use of unlawful force, or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

Force in Defense of Property

A person is justified in using force, other than deadly force, when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that force is necessary to prevent or terminate another person’s criminal interference with real property or personal property lawfully in the person’s possession, lawfully in the possession of a member of the person’s immediate family, or belonging to a person whose property the person has a legal duty to protect.

Civil and Criminal Immunity

The person using deadly force in defense of personal or real property is presumed for the purpose of both civil and criminal cases to have acted reasonably and to have had a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury if the trespass or attempted trespass is unlawful and is made or attempted by use of force, or in a violent and tumultuous manner or for the purpose of committing a forcible felony.

Force in Defense of Habitation

A person is justified in using force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate the other’s unlawful entry into or attack upon his habitation. The individual is justified in the use of deadly force which is intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury only if the entry is made or attempted in a violent and tumultuous manner, surreptitiously, or by stealth, and he reasonably believes that the entry is attempted or made for the purpose of assaulting or offering personal violence to any person, dwelling, or being in the habitation and he reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent the assault or offer of personal violence or if the individual reasonably believes that the entry is made or attempted for the purpose of committing a felony in the habitation and that the force is necessary to prevent the commission of the felony.

Deadly Force in Defense of Persons on Real Property

A person is justified in using deadly force in his defense of persons on real property other than his habitation if he or she is in lawful possession of the real property, reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate the other person’s trespass onto the real property, and the trespass is made or attempted by use of force or in a violent and tumultuous manner. The person reasonably believes that the trespass is attempted or made for the purpose of committing violence against any person on the real property and he or she reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent personal violence, or the person reasonably believes that the trespass is made or attempted for the purpose of committing a forcible felony that poses imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury to a person on the real property and that the force is necessary to prevent the commission of that forcible felony.

Utah: Gun Laws at a Glance


Does Utah allow permitless carry?	Yes. Permitless carry took effect on May 5, 2021, for any individual 21 years old or older, who may lawfully possess a firearm. [Utah Crim.Code § 76-10-523(5)]
Is open carry permitted in Utah?	Yes. Permitless carry took effect on May 5, 2021, for any individual 21 years old or older, who may lawfully possess a firearm. [Utah Crim. Code § 76-10-505(1)][Utah Crim.Code § 76-10-523(5)]
If Utah requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm, how are those permits issued?	Utah issues permits on a shall-issue basis.
What is the minimum age in Utah to get a concealed carry permit?	You must be at least 18 years old for a provisional permit in Utah.
Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in Utah with a concealed carry permit (or under permitless carry if applicable)?	Yes and No. A Utah CFP allows the holder to carry firearms specifically, although other weapons may be legal to carry in the state.
Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Utah?	Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit.
Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in Utah?	Yes. There is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in Utah.
Does Utah have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?	No. There are no magazine capacity restrictions for handguns in Utah.
Does Utah have ammunition restrictions?	No. Utah does not have ammunition restrictions.

Utah: Carry Locations


Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Utah?	Yes, without a permit, although not in any state or Federal buildings. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Utah. [National Parks webpage]
Can you carry a concealed firearm in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in Utah?	Yes, unless posted and provided you are not under the influence. [Utah Crim. Code § 76-10-530(4)]
Can you carry or possess a firearm on hotel property in Utah?	An innkeeper may refuse or deny accommodations, facilities, or privileges to any person who is in the reasonable belief of the innkeeper, bringing in property that may be dangerous to other persons, including firearms or explosives. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about its concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information. [Utah Code § 29-2-103(1)(a)(v)]
Can you carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Utah?	Yes, with a permit or without a permit for any individual 18 years old or older, who may lawfully possess a firearm, provided the vehicle is in the person’s lawful possession or the person is carrying the loaded firearm in a vehicle with the consent of the person lawfully in possession of the vehicle. [Utah Crim. Code § 76-10-505(1) and 76-10-523(3)]
Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Utah?	Yes, without a permit. [Utah Code § 53-5a-704(27)]
Does Utah have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?	Subject to limited exceptions, Utah law generally prevents individuals from enforcing restrictions on an individual’s ability to transport or store a firearm in a vehicle on any property designated for motor vehicle parking, if: The individual is legally permitted to transport, possess, purchase, receive, transfer or store the firearm; The firearm is locked securely in the motor vehicle or in a locked container attached to the motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is not occupied; and The firearm is not in plain view from the outside of the motor vehicle. This rule does not apply, however, to school premises, government entities, religious organizations and certain residential units. [Utah Crim. Code § 34-45-103]

Utah: Key State Laws


Do you have a duty to inform a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Utah?	There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Utah. [Utah Code § 53-5-704]
Is my Utah driver’s license linked to my Utah carry permit?	Yes. Your Utah driver’s license is linked to your Utah concealed firearm permit. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry permit holder if they run your driver’s license. [Utah Code § 53-5-710]
Does Utah have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?	Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in Utah, however local municipalities may regulate and prevent the discharge of firearms. [Utah Crim. Code § 76-10-500(2)] On March 24, 2022, Gov. Spencer Cox signed SB 115 into law, giving the state greater control over gun laws in Utah. For instance, the state now has the authority to override the policy established in Salt Lake County by Mayor Jenny Wilson in 2019. The law will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Does Utah have a red-flag law?	Utah does not have a red flag law.
Does Utah state law define brandishing?	No definition of brandishing was found in Utah law. [Utah Crim. Code § 76-10-506] A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if the person engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior. [Utah CrimCode § 76-9-102]
Does Utah have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or controlled substances?	Not while consuming or under the influence (defined as blood or breath alcohol concentration of .05 grams or greater) or a controlled substance as defined in Section 58-37-2, outside of the person’s residence or the residence of another with the consent of the individual who is lawfully in possession. [Utah Crim. Code § 76-10-528] As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgment, slow your reaction times or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.
Does Utah issue concealed carry permits to non-residents?	Yes. Utah issues concealed carry permits to non-residents from states that recognize Utah permits, provided they have a permit from their home state.
Does Utah allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?	No. Utah does not allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law.
If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.	Yes/No. “No Weapons” signs under Utah gun laws have no force of law unless they are posted in areas that are mentioned by the law as being off-limits. The law specifically mentions that if places of worship and private residences have posted a “No Weapons” sign, it is illegal to enter. This prohibition applies equally to concealed weapons permittees. [Utah Crim. Code § 76-10-530] A church or organization operating a house of worship may allow exceptions to the prohibition as the church or organization considers advisable. Owners may not restrict a renter or lessee from lawfully possessing a firearm in the residence. A violation of this section is an infraction.

Utah: Handgun Purchase and Possession


Can I possess/carry a handgun in my home without a permit?	Yes. A permit is not required for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm to carry a handgun in or on a person’s residence, property or a business under the person’s control. [Utah Crim. Code § 76-10-504(1)]
Does my current Utah concealed carry permit exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase a firearm?	Yes.
Are background checks required for private gun sales in Utah?	No. Private firearms transfers are not subject to a background check requirement, although federal and state purchaser prohibitions, including age restrictions, still apply. It is recommended that you retain any sales receipts to prove ownership of the gun. Although the state has preemption, Salt Lake County has established a policy that background checks for private sales must be conducted in the county’s three event facilities (Salt Palace Convention Center, Mountain America Expo Center and Salt Lake County Equestrian Park). On March 24, 2022, Gov. Spencer Cox signed SB 115 into law, giving the state greater control over gun laws in Utah. For instance, the state now has the authority to override the policy established in Salt Lake County by Mayor Jenny Wilson in 2019. The law will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Utah?	No. There is no waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Utah.
Do handguns need to be registered in Utah?	No. You do not need to register your handgun in Utah.
What is the minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Utah?	You must be at least 18 years old to possess and transport a firearm in Utah. [Utah Crim. Code § 76-10-509.9]
Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in Utah?	No. You do not need a permit to purchase a handgun in Utah.