Utah Gun Permit: Laws, Cost, Restrictions, & FAQs
Introduction
In the state of Utah, individuals can obtain gun permits to possess firearms legally. The process involves fulfilling certain requirements set by the state’s gun laws. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the Utah gun permit process, eligibility criteria, and reciprocity with other states.
Utah Gun Permit Summary
Utah operates as a shall-issue state for gun permits, and the Department of Public Safety handles the application process. However, it’s essential to note that Utah does not issue permits specifically for purchasing firearms.
How to Get a Gun Permit in Utah?
To obtain a gun permit in Utah, applicants must be at least eighteen years old and have legal rights to possess firearms. The permit covers both open and concealed carry in the state.
Utah Gun Permit Law
Individuals with a Utah pistol license can open-carry firearms. The minimum age requirement for open carry is eighteen years old, but only those with legal rights to possess firearms are eligible.
Furthermore, individuals can open carry firearms without a license if the firearm is not loaded or is at least two actions away from discharging. However, some locations within the state strictly prohibit the possession of firearms, whether or not a gun permit is obtained.
Utah law also prohibits the possession of machine guns and similar firearms by individuals without a federal license. Violating this law is considered a felony.
Utah Pistol Permit Requirements
Applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify for a Utah pistol permit. These requirements include:
- Being at least twenty-one years old (or eighteen for a provisional license).
- Providing proof of good character.
- Completing Utah firearm training within the state.
- Not having any felony convictions.
- Not having any violent crime convictions.
- Not having any convictions related to alcohol consumption or illegal drugs.
- Not having any moral offenses or domestic assault convictions.
- Not being declared mentally unstable by a court in the USA unless the verdict was reversed or canceled.
- Meeting all federal laws for permit applications in the state.
Different Types of Gun Permits in Utah
Utah issues various types of gun permits, including:
- State permit to purchase long guns: Utah does not issue a state permit for purchasing long guns.
- State permit to purchase handguns: Utah does not issue a state permit for purchasing handguns.
- State permit to open carry: Utah allows licensed open carry.
- State permit to conceal carry long guns: Utah does not issue a state permit to conceal carry long guns.
- State permit to conceal carry handguns: Utah issues a pistol permit for concealed carry of handguns.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Gun License in Utah?
The initial permit application in Utah costs fifty-three dollars and twenty-five cents for both residents and non-residents. Renewal permits cost twenty dollars for residents and twenty-five dollars for non-residents.
Gun Permits Application and Renewal Law in Utah
The process to apply for gun permits in Utah involves the following steps:
- Complete Firearm Training: Enroll in a Utah firearm training endorsed by the Bureau of Criminal Identification within the state.
- Obtain the Application: Download the application from an official online website.
- Take Your Fingerprints: Have your fingerprints taken at the Bureau of Criminal Identification or a local law enforcement agency.
- Submit the Necessary Documents: Complete the application form and submit it physically to the BCI or via email along with the required documents, including your driver’s license, passport photograph, fingerprint card, and firearm training certificate.
- Receive Notification Mail: After processing, you will receive a notification by mail regarding the approval or denial of your application.
For individuals aged between eighteen and twenty, Utah offers a provisional gun permit application. The requirements and application process for a provisional permit are the same as those for a regular concealed firearm permit. However, a provisional permit expires on the holder’s twenty-first birthday, after which a regular license must be obtained.
Gun Permit Reciprocity with Utah
Utah recognizes permits from other jurisdictions, allowing individuals to possess firearms within its territory. Some states fully recognize Utah pistol permits, while others have restricted reciprocity.
States that Recognize Pistol Permits from Utah
- Alabama
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Montana
- North Dakota
States with Restricted Reciprocity
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Puerto Rico
States that Do Not Require a Pistol Permit for Firearms Possession
The following states have permitless carry laws, allowing individuals to possess firearms without a license:
- Arizona
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- West Virginia
Relevant Gun Permit Laws and Legislature in Utah
Utah gun laws address various aspects of gun permits, including:
- Possession of Firearms in Private Vehicles: Individuals with a Utah gun permit can possess loaded firearms in private cars, while those without a permit must carry unloaded firearms.
- Possession of Firearms in Roadside Areas: Utah allows firearm possession in roadside areas for permit holders and those with recognized out-of-state permits.
- Possession of Firearms in State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management Areas: Individuals with a concealed carry license can possess firearms in these areas.
- Possession of Firearms in Restaurant and Bar Areas: There are no prohibitions for concealed carry in restaurant and bar areas unless posted otherwise or under the influence of alcohol.
- Possession of Firearms in Hotels: Utah gun laws do not strictly prohibit firearms possession in hotels, but hotels may have their own policies regarding firearms possession.
- Possession of Firearms in Employee Parking Lots: Utah law allows employees or property owners to store firearms and ammunition securely in their vehicles parked in designated areas, subject to certain conditions.
Conclusion
Obtaining a gun permit in Utah involves meeting specific requirements and completing necessary training. Utah’s reciprocity agreements with other states allow permit holders to possess firearms in various jurisdictions. Understanding Utah’s gun laws and legislature ensures responsible firearm ownership and usage within the state.
FAQs;
Q1. Can I obtain a gun permit in Utah if I am between eighteen and twenty years old?
Yes, you can apply for a provisional gun permit if you are between eighteen and twenty years old. The requirements and application process are the same as those for a regular concealed firearm permit.
Q2. Can I use my provisional permit outside Utah?
No, provisional permits cannot be used outside of Utah. They are valid only within the state.
Q3. How do I renew my gun permit in Utah?
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation will notify you of the permit’s impending expiry at least one month before it expires. You can submit your renewal application online, via mail, or in person.
Q4. What is the cost of renewing a gun permit in Utah?
Renewal permits
Utah gun laws in cars: Loaded firearms may be transported legally in vehicles in Utah with some restrictions on accessibility.
Q5. Can I carry a gun in Utah as a non-resident?
Yes, non-residents can legally conceal carry without a permit in Utah under permitless carry laws.
Q6. Is Utah a gun-friendly state?
Yes, Utah has very permissive gun laws including constitutional carry, making it a very pro-gun state.
Q7. Is Utah gun permit 32 states?
A Utah concealed firearm permit allows carry in over 30 other states under reciprocity agreements.
