Utah Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Utah have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. There are no state bans on assault-style rifles, high-capacity magazines, or ghost guns. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Private transfers do not require background checks in Utah. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales. |
| Is Utah a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. No duty to retreat under Castle Doctrine (UT Code § 76‑2‑402, § 76‑2‑405). |
| What kind of restrictions does Utah have? |
|
| Does Utah have any gun storage laws? | ⚠️ No overarching safe-storage mandate, but child-access and negligence are covered under criminal statutes. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Utah? | ✅ Yes. No state-imposed limit on quantity purchases. |
| Does Utah have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. The legislature has rejected emergency risk/protection orders (red-flag laws). |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Utah? | 🚫 No. Utah does not require firearm registration. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. Purchases only require dealer NICS check unless you present a valid CFP. |
| Does Utah have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No state-mandated waiting period—only background check processing time where applicable. |
🚫 No. There are no state bans on assault-style rifles, high-capacity magazines, or ghost guns.
🚫 No. Private transfers do not require background checks in Utah.
✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales.
✅ Yes. No duty to retreat under Castle Doctrine (UT Code § 76‑2‑402, § 76‑2‑405).
- ℹ️ Permitless carry for open & concealed for adults 21+ (and 18–20 with provisional) since May 5, 2021 (HB 60).
- ℹ️ No waiting periods, universal or private sale checks.
- ℹ️ Dealer must conduct NICS checks except when buyer shows valid CFP.
⚠️ No overarching safe-storage mandate, but child-access and negligence are covered under criminal statutes.
✅ Yes. No state-imposed limit on quantity purchases.
🚫 No. The legislature has rejected emergency risk/protection orders (red-flag laws).
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. Utah does not require firearm registration.
🚫 No. Purchases only require dealer NICS check unless you present a valid CFP.
🚫 No state-mandated waiting period—only background check processing time where applicable.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Utah allow Open Carry? | ✅ Permitless open carry for adults 21+, and 18–20 with a provisional CFP or out-of-state permit (HB 60) |
| Does Utah allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Permitless concealed carry for adults 21+, and 18–20 with provisional or out-of-state permit (HB 60) |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray, stun guns, tasers, knives legal without permit |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Public areas, private property (with permission), vehicles; CFP adds access to schools/courts |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Secure federal zones, K–12 schools without CFP, and other posted locations |
| States honored? | ✅ Under Utah Code § 53‑5a‑102.2, Utah recognizes any valid concealed-carry permit issued by any U.S. state or county |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ Utah CFP is honored in 32–38 states, including:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 5 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional, helpful for reciprocity and restricted areas.
|
✅ Permitless open carry for adults 21+, and 18–20 with a provisional CFP or out-of-state permit (HB 60)
✅ Permitless concealed carry for adults 21+, and 18–20 with provisional or out-of-state permit (HB 60)
✅ Pepper spray, stun guns, tasers, knives legal without permit
✅ Public areas, private property (with permission), vehicles; CFP adds access to schools/courts
🚫 Secure federal zones, K–12 schools without CFP, and other posted locations
✅ Under Utah Code § 53‑5a‑102.2, Utah recognizes any valid concealed-carry permit issued by any U.S. state or county
✅ Utah CFP is honored in 32–38 states, including:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan*
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 5 Years.
🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns.
ℹ️ Optional, helpful for reciprocity and restricted areas.
- Issued by the Bureau of Criminal Identification
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Online & In‑Person Training | |
| Local Classes & Academies | |
| Hunter Education |
Utah Leadership
- Born: July 11, 1975 (Mount Pleasant, UT)
- Term Started: January 4, 2021
- Previous Role: Lieutenant Governor (2013–2021), State Representative (2012–2013)
- Born: June 4, 1971 (Mesa, AZ)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2011
- Committees:
- Energy and Natural Resources (Chair)
- Judiciary
- Commerce Science and Transportation
- Born: May 10, 1960 (Salt Lake City, UT)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2025
- Committees:
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Foreign Relations
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship