Signed by Governor Spencer Cox

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that authorizes concealed carry of a firearm at institutions of higher education in Utah.

Highlights:

• Authorizes individuals 21 and older to conceal a dangerous weapon at an institution of higher education without a concealed carry permit (Sec.1)

• Authorizes individuals between 18 and 21 years old without a provisional concealed carry permit to carry the following in an open manner (Sec. 1): 

• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in a vehicle;

• An unloaded or loaded handgun in a vehicle where the individual is lawfully present; and

• An unloaded firearm that the individual may lawfully carry on a public street or other public location. 

• Authorizes an individual 21 years old or older to open or conceal carry without a conceal carry permit, if (Sec. 1): 

• On a public street or other public location;

• An unloaded or loaded handgun is in a vehicle where the individual is lawfully present; or

• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle is in a vehicle where the individual is lawfully present. 

• Prohibits any individual 21 years or older from concealed carry without a permit from carrying in any matter in (Sec. 1): 

• a secure area; 

• on or about a school premise of a public or private elementary or secondary school;

• on a daycare premise; or

• in an airport. 

• Specifies different rules and regulations to be put in place for institutions of higher education in regards to the carrying of firearms and other requirements regarding the institution itself (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits open carry of a firearm from anyone 21 or older without a permit, unless they are lawfully responding to an active threat (Sec. 3). 

• Authorizes the Legislature the authority to regulate, by law, firearms at higher education institutions (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the law to indicate someone as an actor openly carrying a dangerous weapon at an institution of higher education if the actor intentionally carries a dangerous weapon on the school’s premise (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies that the bill will take effect on May 6, 2026 (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that authorizes concealed carry of a firearm at institutions of higher education in Utah.

Highlights:

• Authorizes individuals 21 and older to conceal a dangerous weapon at an institution of higher education without a concealed carry permit (Sec.1)

• Authorizes individuals between 18 and 21 years old without a provisional concealed carry permit to carry the following in an open manner (Sec. 1): 

• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in a vehicle;

• An unloaded or loaded handgun in a vehicle where the individual is lawfully present; and

• An unloaded firearm that the individual may lawfully carry on a public street or other public location. 

• Authorizes an individual 21 years old or older to open or conceal carry without a conceal carry permit, if (Sec. 1): 

• On a public street or other public location;

• An unloaded or loaded handgun is in a vehicle where the individual is lawfully present; or

• An unloaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle is in a vehicle where the individual is lawfully present. 

• Prohibits any individual 21 years or older from concealed carry without a permit from carrying in any matter in (Sec. 1): 

• a secure area; 

• on or about a school premise of a public or private elementary or secondary school;

• on a daycare premise; or

• in an airport. 

• Specifies different rules and regulations to be put in place for institutions of higher education in regards to the carrying of firearms and other requirements regarding the institution itself (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits open carry of a firearm from anyone 21 or older without a permit, unless they are lawfully responding to an active threat (Sec. 3). 

• Authorizes the Legislature the authority to regulate, by law, firearms at higher education institutions (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the law to indicate someone as an actor openly carrying a dangerous weapon at an institution of higher education if the actor intentionally carries a dangerous weapon on the school’s premise (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies that the bill will take effect on May 6, 2026 (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text