Utah gun laws are considered among the most liberal in the nation, although the state does not go as far as a few others. For example, it is still necessary to have a permit to carry a concealed handgun.
Although Utah legislators passed a law in 2013 that would have eliminated the need for a conceal-carry permit, the state's governor vetoed the bill.
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The state is so gun-friendly that in 2011, it became the
first state to designate a "state gun," Reuters reported. The Browning model M1911 automatic pistol, which has been manufactured since 1911, is made in Ogden, Utah.
Last year, the state nearly gave up its requirement for concealed-carry permits altogether when state lawmakers proposed allowing anyone who wasn't a felon to carry a handgun in Utah. That measure passed the state Legislature, but the governor vetoed it.
Most politicians in Utah have a pro-gun stance, reported the Salt Lake Tribune.
According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, Utah gun laws treat antique firearms the same as other guns. That is different than many states, which exempt antique firearms from certain laws.
The state prohibits even permit-holders from carrying guns in airports, courthouses, mental health facilities, and some churches. Utah gun laws make it illegal to take a concealed weapon, even with a permit, into a house of worship or a private home if it has been made clear that guns are prohibited there. All of these places are required to post a notice that guns are not permitted there.
The Utah Department of Public Safety keeps an online list of churches prohibiting guns. It is clear that many churches have either not yet decided to prohibit guns or have not notified the state of their intent.
The two currently on the list are the entire Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — commonly called Mormons — and the First Presbyterian Church of Logan.
A 2013 ranking by the Brady Campaign to prevent Gun Violence gave Utah a score of 0, and rated Utah gun laws among the "three most lenient" states in the nation, reported the Deseret News.
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.
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