Utah has weak gun laws overall and a correspondingly high gun death rate. Lawmakers owe it to their constituents to take action to reduce gun violence in their state.
In 2018, Utah expanded its already dangerous “stand your ground” law, making public confrontations more likely to turn deadly. In 2020, Utah had the 21st-lowest gun death rate in the country and 30th-highest gun export rate. To further strengthen the state’s gun laws, Utah legislators could require background checks for all gun sales, pass an extreme risk protection law, and strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence and violent hate crimes.
What Utah Does Well
- Domestic violence gun laws
- Certain child access prevention laws
- Extended background check period
- State database background checks
What Utah Is Missing
- Universal background checks
- Gun owner licensing
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Strong concealed carry law
- Lost & stolen firearm reporting
- Open carry regulations
SPOTLIGHT
GUN LAW SCORECARD
The data is clear: states with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.
Read MoreEXPLORE UTAH’S GUN LAWS
WHO CAN HAVE A GUN
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
GUNS IN PUBLIC
HARDWARE & AMMUNITION
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
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We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.
