Utah Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

Yes. An individual 21 years old or older who may lawfully possess firearms may carry a loaded or unloaded firearm, openly or concealed, without a concealed carry permit on a public street or in any other place not prohibited by state or federal law. Individuals 18 to 20 without a provisional permit may not carry a concealed firearm in public (outside their residence, real property, a vehicle they are lawfully in, or a business they control) and may not carry a loaded firearm on a public street; they may openly carry only an unloaded firearm in public. People who are restricted persons (category I or II) may not possess firearms at all.

Utah issues a concealed firearm permit through the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI); it is shall-issue: the bureau 'shall issue' a permit to an applicant 21 or older within 60 days unless it finds proof the applicant is not qualified (for example, felony, violent, alcohol, drug, moral-turpitude or domestic-violence convictions, or being a danger to self or others). It is valid for five years. Training: proof of general familiarity with the firearms to be concealed, covering safe loading, unloading, storage and carrying and current laws on lawful use of force, through a BCI-approved course, a BCI-certified instructor, or equivalent competition, law-enforcement or military experience; instruction must be in person, not electronic. A provisional permit is available to applicants 18 to 20 and is valid until age 21. Fees: by statute $25 (plus $35 for nonresidents) before July 1, 2026, and a fee set by the bureau on or after that date; BCI's page lists the application fee as $55 for Utah residents and $90 for non-residents, with online renewal at $20.75 (residents) or $50.75 (out-of-state holders). Nonresidents from states that recognize Utah's permit must also hold their home state's permit.

Allowed. A person 21 or older who may lawfully possess firearms may openly carry a loaded or unloaded firearm (handgun or long gun) on a public street or other place not prohibited, without a permit; in a vehicle, a handgun may be loaded but a rifle, shotgun or muzzle-loading rifle must be unloaded. A person 18 to 20 without a provisional permit may openly carry only an unloaded firearm in public, a loaded or unloaded handgun in a vehicle, and an unloaded long gun in a vehicle. Without a permit, open carry is not allowed on or about the premises of a college or university (unless responding to an active threat).

Selling a firearm to a minor (under 18) who is not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian is a third degree felony. Transferring a handgun to a minor where that would cause the minor to violate the minor-possession law is a class B misdemeanor (class A for later offenses). A minor may possess a firearm only within exceptions: under 14 with parental permission and accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult; 14 to 17 with parental permission; plus listed activities such as safety courses, ranges, competitions and licensed hunting. Possession of a handgun by a minor outside the exceptions is a third degree felony. Adults 18 and older may buy any firearm under state law.

A criminal history background check through the Bureau of Criminal Identification is required for sales by a licensed firearm dealer, and the dealer may not transfer until the bureau approves; holders of a Utah concealed firearm or provisional permit who present the permit are exempt from the check and its fee. Utah has no state law that requires a background check or permit to purchase for private (non-dealer) sales. The bureau offers a voluntary online process letting a private buyer or seller check whether the other party holds a valid Utah concealed carry permit, or whether the gun (by serial number) is reported stolen; government may not require its use. State law bars local governments from requiring a permit or license to purchase.

Utah has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying any firearm. The dealer may transfer once the bureau approves the background check, and the bureau must respond during the call or by return call or other electronic means 'without delay' (except electronic failure or other circumstances beyond its control).

Utah has no state law that provides for extreme risk protection orders. Related tools: a cohabitant may voluntarily commit a firearm to law enforcement for safekeeping when they believe the owner is an immediate threat; and an individual may voluntarily ask the Bureau of Criminal Identification to place them on a restricted list barring their own firearm purchase and possession, either for 180 days (removal can be requested after 30 days) or indefinitely (removal can be requested after 90 days).

Utah has no state law that bans assault weapons or limits magazine capacity. The Legislature occupies the whole field of firearm regulation, and local or state governmental entities may not enact or enforce directives that restrict the possession, purchase, sale or transfer of firearms, ammunition or firearm accessories unless a statute authorizes it.

Without a permit: a person 21 or older may carry a loaded or unloaded handgun, openly or concealed, in a vehicle they are lawfully present in (own or possess it, or have the possessor's consent), but rifles, shotguns and muzzle-loading rifles must be unloaded. A person 18 to 20 may carry a loaded or unloaded handgun in such a vehicle (concealed carry in a vehicle they are lawfully in is not the under-21 concealed-carry offense) and an unloaded long gun. Carrying a loaded rifle, shotgun or muzzle-loading rifle in any vehicle, or a readily accessible firearm in a vehicle one is not lawfully present in, is a class B misdemeanor unless the person holds a Utah or other state's concealed carry permit. A vehicle's owner may forbid others from carrying in it.

Utah honors concealed carry permits issued by every other state: an individual 18 or older with 'a concealed carry permit lawfully issued by or in another state' who may lawfully possess firearms may openly or concealed carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in a vehicle, on a public street or in other places not prohibited, and such permit holders are also exempt from the long-gun-in-vehicle offense.

Main places: (1) secure areas established under § 76-8-311.1 where weapons are prohibited and notice is posted; (2) airport secure areas; (3) public or private elementary and secondary schools (class A misdemeanor with a firearm) unless the carrier is 21 or older with a concealed carry permit carrying concealed, or another exception applies (such as a firearm in the carrier's own vehicle); (4) daycare premises, unless the carrier holds a permit or another exception applies; (5) a house of worship or private residence after notice that firearms are prohibited (an infraction); (6) open carry on college and university premises (class C misdemeanor), while permitless carriers may not carry there openly; (7) carrying a readily accessible dangerous weapon while under the influence of alcohol (at DUI levels) or a controlled substance (class B misdemeanor).

Utah has no state law that requires serial numbers on homemade firearms or regulates unfinished frames, receivers or kits. On request, the Department of Public Safety may assign a distinguishing number or mark to a handgun 'whenever it is without a manufacturer's number'; stamping any other identifying number on a handgun is a class A misdemeanor, and altering or removing a handgun's maker name, model or number without the department's written permission is a class A misdemeanor (antique firearms excepted). Firearms made and sold in Utah under the state-made firearms law must be stamped 'Made in Utah' or 'Made in UT'.