Utah Code § 53-5a-102

Current with legislation effective through 5/2/2024
Section 53-5a-102 - Uniform firearm laws
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Ammunition" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53-5d-102.
(b) "Dangerous weapon" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-10-501.
(c) "Firearm" means:
(i) a pistol, revolver, shotgun, short barreled shotgun, rifle or short barreled rifle, or a device that could be used as a dangerous weapon from which is expelled a projectile by action of an explosive;
(ii) ammunition; and
(iii) a firearm accessory.
(d) "Firearm accessory" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53-5b-103.
(e) "Local or state governmental entity" means the same as that term is defined in Section 78B-6-2301.
(f) "Short barreled shotgun" or "short barreled rifle" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-10-501.
(g) "Shotgun" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-10-501.
(2) The individual right to keep and bear arms being a constitutionally protected right under Article I, Section 6 of the Utah Constitution and the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Legislature finds the need to provide uniform civil and criminal firearm laws throughout the state and declares that the Legislature occupies the whole field of state regulation of firearms.
(3) Except as specifically provided by state law, a local or state governmental entity may not:
(a) prohibit an individual from owning, possessing, purchasing, selling, transferring, transporting, or keeping a firearm at the individual's place of residence, property, business, or in any vehicle lawfully in the individual's possession or lawfully under the individual's control; or
(b) require an individual to have a permit or license to purchase, own, possess, transport, or keep a firearm.
(4) In conjunction with Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons, this section is uniformly applicable throughout this state and in all the state's political subdivisions.
(5) Authority to regulate firearms is reserved to the state except where the Legislature specifically delegates responsibility to local or state governmental entities.
(6) Unless specifically authorized by the Legislature by statute, a local or state governmental entity may not enact, establish, or enforce any ordinance, regulation, rule, or policy pertaining to firearms that in any way inhibits or restricts the possession, ownership, purchase, sale, transfer, transport, or use of firearms on either public or private property.
(7) This section does not restrict or expand private property rights.
(8) A violation of this section is subject to Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 23, Firearm Preemption Enforcement Act.

Utah Code § 53-5a-102

Amended by Chapter 428, 2022 General Session ,§ 1, eff. 5/4/2022.
Amended by Chapter 278, 2013 General Session ,§ 20, eff. 5/14/2013.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 382, 2008 General Session