Utah allows permitless concealed carry for those 21+ who can legally possess a firearm under Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-504(3) (effective May 5, 2021). A Concealed Firearm Permit is optional for reciprocity (Utah Code Ann. § 53-5-704). You must be 21, complete training, and pass a background check for the permit. Prohibited places include schools and courthouses (Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-505.5). Violations of carry restrictions are misdemeanors (up to 1 year).
Costs: Permit fee is $37 for 5 years (residents). Training is $50-$100. Total: $87-$137.
Processing Time: Up to 60 days.
Renewal: $15 every 5 years.
Reciprocity: Utah honors permits from all states; over 30 states honor Utah’s permit.
Utah allows open carry without a permit for those 18+ who can legally possess a firearm (Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-505). Restrictions apply in schools and courthouses (Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-505.5). Violations of carry restrictions are misdemeanors (up to 1 year).
Sources: [1]
Utah has no state bans on assault weapons or large-capacity magazines (Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-501). Machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers require federal ATF compliance (Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-503). Violations of federal NFA rules are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: ATF tax stamp is $200 per item.
Processing Time: 6-12 months for ATF approval.
Utah follows federal law for dealer sales requiring a background check under 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). Age minimum is 21 for handguns from dealers, 18 for possession or private sales, and 18 for long guns. No state waiting period or permit required. Private sales are unregulated. Violations of selling to prohibited persons (Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-503) are felonies (up to 5 years).
Costs: Background check is free; dealers may charge $10-$25.
Processing Time: Instant, up to 3 days if delayed.
Utah imposes no state requirement for firearm registration under Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-505, and there’s no mandate to report lost or stolen guns. However, restricted items like machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers—known as NFA items—fall under federal registration law per 26 U.S.C. § 5841. These must be registered with the ATF, a requirement Utah recognizes in Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-503. Violations of federal NFA registration rules are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: Federal tax stamp for NFA items is $200.
Utah has no general storage laws. It’s illegal to provide firearms to minors under 18 without parental consent (Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-509.4). Violations of this restriction are misdemeanors (up to 1 year) or felonies (up to 5 years) if harm occurs.
Sources: [1]
Utah has a strong Castle Doctrine under Utah Code Ann. § 76-2-405. Deadly force is justified in your home or vehicle if you reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent imminent harm. No duty to retreat applies in these cases or in public (Utah Code Ann. § 76-2-402). Excessive force risks manslaughter (up to 15 years).
Sources: [1]