Utah Governor Signs Constitutional Carry Bill Into Law
Updated 02/24/21
Governor Spencer Cox signed several different bills into law last week. One bill was the Constitutional Carry bill, HB 60.
Constitutional Carry…
also known as permitless carry, will make it so that anyone who legally meets the requirements can lawfully carry a concealed gun without a permit. The criteria to meet are that the person is over 21 years of age and can legally have a firearm in his or her possession.
This new law will apply both to residents and non-residents of Utah who meet those requirements. Also, to clarify, this law allows one to carry concealed LOADED without a permit.
The idea behind Constitutional Carry is simple to understand. The thought is that the Second Amendment protects American citizens and their right to KEEP and BEAR arms. What do those two 4-letter words, keep and bear, actually mean?
To keep and bear means to own and carry.
Because that right also says that keeping and bearing arms shall not be infringed, more and more states are entering the permitless carry fray.
As the new law goes into effect on May 5, 2021, Utah will be recognized as the 17th state to enact this type of law. Below is a map of the others:
The green states on that map are the ones that have some form of Constitutional Carry already passed. The blue states are the ones that are shall issue. And the red ones are the bad gun states.
Of course, this legislation has gotten some criticism from the anti-gun groups like the Utah Gun Violence Prevention Center, who had this to say in a Tweet:
After enacting permit less carry in 2010, the state of Arizona experienced a 44% increase in aggravated assaults committed with a firearm. That figure represents 1,519 more gun-related aggravated assaults committed in 2016 as compared to 2010 #VETOHB60 @SpencerJCox @utahsenate
— Utah Gun Violence Prevention Center (@UtahGVPC) February 6, 2021
And of course, we’d like to point out that the above statistic doesn’t mean much when you consider three of the safest states in the union–Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine–also have Constitutional Carry and seem to be doing fine.
Another notable piece of information in the bill is that a portion of the unused funds from the Concealed Weapons Account will be transferred to a different fund. The money will be used to help fight suicide at the end of the fiscal year.
Conclusion:
Utah’s Constitutional Carry law won’t go into effect until May 5, 2021, but it is coming! As of right now, you CANNOT carry a concealed gun in Utah without a permit.
If you want to know which states will accept your concealed carry license, consider our Legal Boundaries by State Book. Not only does it show reciprocity agreements, but all the pertinent gun laws of the states you travel to. It is available in digital or physical copy. The digital copy is updated continually, so you will always have the most up-to-date information to go on.
The president seeks to destroy the constitution for the glory of his gun control. We must find away to protect all of our constitution and everyone’s rights without verbal and deadly force. We must not forget those who Died to defend us and it cost their life’s. Everybody and every color .
I Am In SC And Have A CFP Issued From Utah To Cover Some States That Do Not Share With SC .
How Does This Effect My UTAH CFP ?
Is It Still Valid ?
This doesn’t have any impact on your UT CFP whatsoever.
Does constitutional carry in the green states apply to residents of that state only or can visitors also carry?
It varies by state but mostly it applies to both residents and non-residents
Does this law change impact both residents and non-residents ?
yes
I wish more States would follow suit! I would like to make a few comments about this article. The words “to KEEP, and BEAR arms” had a different incantation at the time it was written, than most people understand those words to mean now. To “KEEP” meant, at the time, to both own, AND carry. While, “BEAR” meant, “To present in good working condition, a usable MILITARY weapon, to any officer of your State’s “WELL REGULATED MILITIA.” While a person could KEEP a shotgun (for hunting), one could not BEAR a shotgun (for line-of-battle). To be a member of a State’s militia, most States required, that you BEAR a smooth bore musket, or rifle. This distinction has a major implication of our right to KEEP, and BEAR assault rifles. As Justice A. Scalia once lectured, “The legal standing of a private citizen to own an assault rifle, should not be in question. So long as that private citizen is not mentally deficient, a felon, or are using the assault rifle in a NON-MILITARY fashion.” (Mississippi art pavilion, 31 March 2001) To “BEAR” gives us the right to “Military-grade” firearms, i.e. assault rifles. (All CAPS, and/or, emphasis are mine.)
Is constitutional carry in Maine restricted to residents? I have non-resident permits from Florida, New Hampshire and Utah but live in New Jersey. Maine doesn’t show that I’m allowed to carry there.
Maine constitutional carry applies both to residents and non residents. Maine still issues permits and still doesn’t honor permits from some states. So it is relevant to note you don’t have a permit that is honored there but you can carry within the restrictions that apply to those that don’t have valid permits.
Is there any benefit in attending a CCW class after MY 5TH?
Yes of course. Education is always beneficial. And of course getting a permit will give you reciprocity in 30+ other states.
I live in Colorado and have a CCP. Will I be able to carry in Utah without a permit after May 5th?
Your CO permit is valid in UT so it doesn’t really matter regardless but yes UT constitutional carry will apply both to residents and non-residents