<P> Gun laws in Utah regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Utah in the United States . </P> <P> Utah's firearm laws are some of the more permissive in the United States . Utah's firearms laws are intended to protect the second amendment rights of its law - abiding citizens, while at the same time ensuring the safety of the general public . A 2013 study ranked Utah the lowest among all 50 states in the category of gun control legislation . Under Utah law, violent crimes with firearms, criminal possession of firearms, and criminal negligence with firearms may all be prosecuted as felonies, and strictly punished under state law . Being part of the Western United States and Rocky Mountain States, Utah is home to a strong gun culture . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State permit to purchase? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Firearm registration? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Assault Weapons law? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Owner license required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Carry permits required? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> UT 53 - 05 - 704 </Td> <Td> Carry of a loaded firearm or concealed firearm allowed with permit . May open carry unloaded firearm without permit . May carry loaded handgun in vehicle without permit; loaded long guns in vehicles prohibited . <P> As of 2004, may carry at public universities . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Open carry permitted? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Open carry of firearm without a permit is allowed as long as the gun is at least 2 actions from being fired, e.g., 1) rack the slide to chamber, and 2) pull the trigger <P> Open carry of a loaded firearm (e.g., a live round of ammunition in the firing chamber) is allowed with a permit </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State preemption of local restrictions? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Municipalities may regulate the discharge of firearms . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NFA weapons restricted? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Possession of NFA firearms in violation of federal law is a third degree felony under state law . However, possession and ownership of NFA firearms and items is legal under state law if federal requirements and laws are followed . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Shall certify? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 53 - 5a - 104 </Td> <Td> Shall certify within 15 days . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Peaceable Journey law? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 76 - 10 - 523 </Td> <Td> Persons exempt from weapons laws . <P> "(g) a nonresident traveling in or through the state, provided that any firearm is: (i) unloaded; and (ii) securely encased as defined in Section 76 - 10 - 501 ." Handguns may be loaded in any vehicle under the person's control . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Castle Doctrine law? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 76 - 2 - 405 </Td> <Td> Force in defense of habitation . <P> "(1) A person is justified in using force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate the other's unlawful entry into or attack upon his habitation; however, he is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury only if: (a) the entry is made or attempted in a violent and tumultuous manner, surreptitiously, or by stealth, and he reasonably believes that the entry is attempted or made for the purpose of assaulting or offering personal violence to any person, dwelling, or being in the habitation and he reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent the assault or offer of personal violence; or (b) he reasonably believes that the entry is made or attempted for the purpose of committing a felony in the habitation and that the force is necessary to prevent the commission of the felony . (2) The person using force or deadly force in defense of habitation is presumed for the purpose of both civil and criminal cases to have acted reasonably and had a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury if the entry or attempted entry is unlawful and is made or attempted by use of force, or in a violent and tumultuous manner, or surreptitiously or by stealth, or for the purpose of committing a felony ." </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Stand Your Ground law? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 76 - 2 - 402 </Td> <Td> Force in defense of person--Forcible felony defined . <P> "(1) (a) A person is justified in threatening or using force against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that force or a threat of force is necessary to defend the person or a third person against another person's imminent use of unlawful force . (b) A person is justified in using force intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury only if the person reasonably believes that force is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to the person or a third person as a result of another person's imminent use of unlawful force, or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony ." </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Background checks required for private sales? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr>

Can you conceal carry in utah without a permit