"For Christmas I want a gun, hon!"

I got this advertising postcard in the mail the other day. I thought of doing what it says, "leave this where your wife pays the bills!" right amongst the gas and electric bills. Then I remembered we pay those bills online.

I love the ribbon. "Ah, honey! Just what I wanted! I can't wait to show off my new Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum!"

Utah has one of the more liberal gun carry permit laws in the country. If you don't have a criminal record or history of mental illness you qualify to pack a gun. You can conceal the weapon, or wear it openly. We're real liberal here when it comes to packing heat. People from other states regularly apply for concealed weapons permits in Utah. I'm not sure how it works if a person from a state with more restrictive laws applies for a Utah permit and produces it for a police officer.

A look at Utah gun laws shows that if you want to carry a weapon you have the law on your side in Utah.

Carrying a Gun in Utah

In Person

It is unlawful for a person with or without a firearm permit to carry a firearm in the following locations:

1. Any secure area in which firearms are prohibited and notice of the prohibition is posted
2. A secure area of an airport
3. Any courthouse, churches if posted, mental health facility or correctional facility that may provide by rule that no firearm may be transported, sold, given, or possessed upon the facility. At least one notice shall be prominently displayed at each entrance to a secure area in which a dangerous weapon, firearm, or explosive is restricted.

A concealed weapon permit is not a defense to prosecution for any person who carries a weapon while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

It is lawful to carry a firearm "capable of being concealed" in one’s home or place of business without a permit.

It is unlawful to carry a loaded firearm on any public street without a permit.

It is unlawful to carry a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance with or without a permit.

Carrying in Vehicles

A person may not carry a loaded weapon in a vehicle unless they have a valid permit to carry or:

They are at least 18 years old and

Has lawful possession of the vehicle or consent of the person who has lawful possession of the vehicle and

The weapon is not a rifle, shotgun or muzzle-loading rifle

It is lawful for a person with a concealed firearms permit to carry a firearm into a bus terminal.

It is lawful for a person with a concealed firearm permit to board a bus or a train or enter a terminal with a firearm upon their person or effects. This also applies to law enforcement officers or commercial security personnel with firearms used in their employment.

It is lawful to carry a firearm in a vehicle without a permit if: the firearm is unloaded; securely encased (not including a glove box or console box) and is not readily accessible for immediate use.

Laws governing the use of concealed firearms differ from state to state. It is important to understand the laws to ensure that your actions are in compliance with Utah law.

Sources: 53-5-704 Division duties - Utah Code §§ 23-20-11 et seq., 24-2-17, 76-10-301, 76-10-501 et seq.