This piece discusses the laws regulating ammunition and firearms in the state of Utah. To do so, we start off by covering the ammunition laws in the state, aiming to explain the legal requirements and processes to have ammunition shipped to a residential address in the state. From there, we dive into the gun laws, first looking at the legal processes for buying guns in the state, and then the laws that govern the carriage of firearms in Utah. To wrap things up, we leave you with some resources that we think you’ll find useful if you want to stay up to date on the firearms community in the state.
We do not intend this piece as legal advice. Instead, we hope that you find the information here useful in making your own decisions.
Like many states, Utah has preemption. This means that the state’s laws stipulate that smaller political subunits, such as counties, cities, and towns cannot make or enforce gun laws that are stricter than those at the state level. Preemption makes things simpler for law-abiding gun owners because your understanding of state laws applies to the state as a whole.
Utah has some of the most permissive firearms laws in the nation: the state does little to regulate ammo and guns, which leaves Utah permissive since the enforced federal laws serve as something of a baseline for how permissive a state can be in terms of its laws.
Ammo Laws/Buying Ammo in Utah
Next, we will cover the ammo laws in Utah.
Utah does not ban any specific categories of ammunition, nor does the state impose additional restrictions on who can purchase ammunition. Because federal law applies in the entirety of the United States, this means that the processes for buying and shipping ammo to Utah are governed by federal regulations, enforced by the ATF.
The ATF has two sets of regulations that govern ammunition purchasing. The first is an age requirement: buyers have to be at least eighteen years old to buy ammo for long guns (rifles and shotguns) and at least twenty-one to buy handgun ammo. Secondly, buyers cannot be prohibited persons. The ATF defines prohibited persons as those who have been convicted of felonies or domestic violence, people who have been found mentally unfit in a court of law, and people who have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility for inpatient treatment.
Assuming that the buyer meets those two sets of requirements, the state government in Utah is totally fine with having ammunition shipped to a residence. Some carriers might impose additional rules: for example, they might ask for a person with a valid ID to be present to sign for a package containing ammunition.
Because Utah does not impose many restrictions on ammo buying, most people can simply shop online for good deals and have the ammo shipped to their door. This makes Utah permissive in terms of its ammunition laws.
Gun Laws/Buying Guns in Utah
Next, we will do the same for gun laws.
Utah is similarly permissive in its gun laws. There is no magazine ban in the state, nor is there an assault weapons ban in the state. Utah’s state government is fine with its residents owning NFA items, too, including machine guns, suppressors, and short-barreled rifles and shotguns. Of course, with NFA items, there are quite a few federal-level regulations and paperwork hurdles to jump through, though those are not implemented at the state level.
Utah’s gun-buying process follows federal guidelines. Those who wish to buy a gun from a store in the state should bring a valid form of identification and payment to the store. Once there, the FFL will have the buyer fill out ATF’s Form 4473, which serves two purposes: form 4473 is both a background check and creates a legally mandated record of the firearms purchase. Once the background check clears and the payment has been accepted, the buyer is free to leave the same day with their new firearm. Utah does not impose additional waiting periods on firearms purchases.
This state does not require people who sell firearms as private citizens to conduct a background check. With that said, it is always wise to ensure that the person buying the gun is not a prohibited person, and is old enough to buy the gun. Most attorneys recommend a written bill of sale with both parties’ signatures to keep buyers and sellers well in the clear of any issues that may arise.
The carriage of firearms in Utah is also fairly permissive. The state is fine with the open carriage of both long guns and handguns, though long guns have to be unloaded when carried in a public place. Utah defines unloaded somewhat specifically, asking that there cannot be a round in the chamber of either revolvers or auto-loaders. Interestingly, the law also includes provisions for the open carriage of muzzleloaders in public.
Utah allows residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Like most states that offer permitless carry, Utah still allows residents to get concealed carry permits within the state. There are two major benefits to doing so in Utah. First, the concealed carry permit serves as proof of a background check, which can speed up the buying process at an FFL. Second, Utah’s permit is widely recognized in a number of states, allowing permit holders to legally carry a concealed firearm in those states as well.
Like nearly all states, Utah has a list of places where it is forbidden to carry a firearm. In Utah, this list includes:
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In a vehicle (if openly carrying and the firearm is loaded)
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On public streets (again, this applies to loaded open carry)
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In places where signs are posted
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Airport Terminals
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Correctional Facilities
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Court Facilities
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Mental Health Facilities
This list is not an unusual one, as even the most permissive states have nearly identical lists. Also of note is that you cannot carry guns into federal buildings, which includes your local post office.
Overall, Utah’s ammo and gun laws are among the most permissive in the nation. With few state-level restrictions and no major bans, most of the firearms laws that are enforced in the state come from the federal government. Some of the laws around the open carriage of firearms are highly specific, but a quick read of the laws, which are written in simple, clear language (a refreshing change of pace in the law) will clear up the details for most people. Utah is a state that stays out of the way of those who value their Second Amendment rights.
Sales Tax on Guns/Ammo in Utah
The general sales tax in Utah is 4.85%: with state and local taxes, the effective tax rate, the sales tax varies based on locality between 6.1% and 9.050%. Because of this variance, it might be worthwhile to shop around for an FFL in a lower-taxed area.
Utah does not impose special or additional taxes on the sale of firearms or ammunition.
More Resources:
Here are some resources that we think you’ll find useful in Utah:
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The ATF keeps a listing of all FFLs within a given state, and this list is updated somewhat regularly. It can be used to find local gun stores, which are usually Type One or Type Two FFLs.
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Wheretoshoot.org is an excellent tool for finding ranges that are convenient to you. Use the zip code, city, and mileage filters to find spots to shoot. Users can add more ranges, and the information is regularly checked for accuracy.
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There are a number of well-reputed gun stores in the state for your firearms needs.
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Utahguns.net is an active forum that has a lot of quality, local knowledge on gun stores, spots to shoot, and relevant events within the state.