Utah is known for having fairly unrestrictive gun laws, but you must have a permit to carry a concealed firearm.
Permits are issued to non-residents and residents who are at least 21 and have completed a firearms training course.
Individuals 18-21 can obtain a provisional permit, where the applications are processed by the Bureau of Criminal Identification.
Open carry of unloaded firearms is legal without a permit.
Utah Gun Laws Quick Facts
| Open Carry Permitted? | Yes |
| Carry In Vehicle? | Yes |
| Carry In State Park? | Yes |
| Carry In Restaurants? | Yes |
| Constitutional Carry? | No |
| No Weapon Sign Enforced? | No |
| Must Notify Officer? | No |
Utah CCW Reciprocity List
States Honoring CCW
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- 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
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States NOT Honoring CCW
- California
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
Honors These States CCW Permits
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How Reciprocity Works In Utah
- The state of Utah will honor all other state permits.
- There are 36 states that honor the standard Utah CCW permit.
- However, 6 of these states will only honor a Utah residential permit.
- And 19 states will not honor the Utah Provisional permit.
Reciprocity Agreements In Utah
There are two types of permits in Utah, a Standard Permit and a Provisional Permit, the later being issued to persons aged between 18 – 21. Some states will not accept both these permits due to the low age requirements on the Provisional Permit. The standard permit is very popular for non-residents as it allows them to travel in 30 states with a handgun. For a full list of what permits a state will accept please look at the official reciprocity list.
Utah: Where Is CCW Allowed?
Places Allowed
- State parks
- State and national forests
- Road side rest areas
- Vehicle
- All areas of the state – except those listed as Off-Limits
Places Not Allowed
- Any courthouse
- Any secure area in which firearms are prohibited
- Mental health facility
- Correctional facility
- Church or house of worship that has given notice firearms are prohibited
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Congregation of Kol Ami
- Secure area of airport
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is
- prohibited by Federal Law.
Utah: Conceal Carry Laws
Open Carry
Yes
WITHOUT A PERMIT Without a permit, you can only open carry a handgun if it is unloaded (no bullet in the chamber, but can have a full magazine) and at least two actions from being fired. As an example; 1. Rack the slide to chamber, 2. Then pull the trigger If you have a permit then open carry with a loaded firearm is legal. The Law 76.10.502 76.10.505
Carry In Vehicle
Yes
WITHOUT A PERMIT If a person is 18 or older and can legally possess a firearm then vehicle carry is legal if 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. If you do not have a permit then you must carry an unloaded firearm outside any vehicle. The Law 76.10.505 76.10.511
Carry In State Parks
Yes
It is legal to carry in the following areas; State Parks: YES State/National Forests: YES State Wildlife Management Areas: YES Road Side Rest Areas: YES
Carry In Restaurants
Yes
“Yes” or “No” states if you can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Nothing in Utah law prevents a person from carrying a concealed handgun in a bar or restaurant where alcohol is being served. You should be aware though that it is a crime to be in possession of a firearm if you are intoxicated. Intoxication levels are based on those used for driving a vehicle.
Constitutional Carry
No
No Weapon Signs Enforced
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 “places of worship” and “private residences”. If any of these places has posted a “No Weapons” sign than it is illegal to enter. A place of business is not mentioned in the law so it would be legal to enter a posted business although we do not recommend that.
Must Notify Officer
No
MUST INFORM OFFICER Utah gun laws do not require you to inform law enforcement you are carrying a firearm. There is also no requirement to carry a permit.
Additional Resources
Utah Concealed Carry Laws
Utah Open Carry Laws
Utah Gun Permit Laws