Utah Concealed Firearm Permit Step-by-step instructions for obtaining, replacing or updating your weapon license

Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Section 1: General policies and information ...................................................................................................................... 3 Section 2: Eligibility ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Section 3: Safety and Training ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Section 4: The application process ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Section 5: Non-Resident Applications .................................................................................................................................. 8 Section 6: Reciprocity.................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Section 7: Renewing an expiring permit ............................................................................................................................ 10 Section 8: Changing your name or address ..................................................................................................................... 11 Section 9: Replacing a lost or stolen permit .................................................................................................................... 11 Section 10: Carry location restrictions ................................................................................................................................ 12 Section 11: Reminders for safe concealment................................................................................................................... 12 Quick Links and Sources ........................................................................................................................................................... 14

Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is not legal advice, but general information on concealed carry application procedures. We make no guarantees as to the accuracy of this information. Ours is an application assistance service that centralizes information and resources to streamline and simplify the application process.

Introduction While there are federal gun regulations, each state has its own set of laws that regulate the sale, possession and use of firearms, including the carrying of those firearms, whether concealed or otherwise. These laws can be complicated, and navigating them can be difficult. However, it is important to take the time to familiarize yourself with the laws in your state to avoid breaking them, particularly when it comes to carrying and using your weapon(s). What follows in this guide is a brief outline of Utah’s weapons carry policies, as well as detailed instructions for obtaining, renewing, replacing or updating your Utah concealed firearm permit. To simplify and

Some of the steps in this document have prerequisites, so it’s very important that you follow our instructions in order.

streamline your efforts, we will walk you through each process in a step-by-step fashion, linking where applicable to official sites, sources, application forms, etc. Our aim is to save you time and effort by making it very clear what you should expect and what you need to do.

Section 1: General policies and information The Utah Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) oversees the issuance of concealed firearm permits to qualified applicants. While you may legally store or carry your unloaded or loaded firearm in your home, car or personal place of business without holding a permit, you must apply for a concealed firearm permit with the Utah BCI if you intend to conceal carry your handgun elsewhere in the state. A permit to carry in Utah authorizes a person to carry a handgun on or about his person, openly or in certain concealed positions. These include: in a shoulder or waist belt holster, hip grip, or similar device, handbag, purse, attaché case, briefcase, or other closed container. Utah is a "shall issue" state, meaning that the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification must issue a concealed firearm permit to any applicant who is within 60 days of their 21st birthday or older, so long as they meet all the officially published, legal requirements. In other words, the

BCI cannot withhold a permit to a qualified applicant based on any discretionary or subjective criteria. A Utah handgun permit is properly referred to as a Concealed Firearm Permit. See a picture example of a Utah Concealed Firearm Permit below in Figure 1.

“Shall issue” means that the issuing authority shall approve license applications so long as the basic criteria are met.

FIGURE 1 - EXAMPLE OF A UTAH CONCEALED FIREARM PERMIT

Section 2: Eligibility Before proceeding, it is important to determine whether or not you are eligible for a concealed firearm permit in the state of Utah. Applicants who do not meet certain requirements under Utah law will be denied, so you can save yourself some trouble by reviewing the eligibility requirements before you apply. First, you must meet the following criteria:  

We strongly suggest reviewing the full list of eligibility requirements prior to completing or submitting your application.

You must be at least 21 years old; And you must meet any federal qualifications to carry a handgun.

Additionally, Utah state law outlines a list of disqualifying factors, which include, but are not limited to: 

felony convictions;

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any convictions involving violence, alcohol, drugs or controlled substances, moral depravity, or domestic violence; mental instability as determined by a court; drug convictions; and some misdemeanor convictions.

You can review a full list of eligibility requirements in this section of the official state laws and statutes.

Section 3: Safety and Training ALL applicants for a Utah concealed firearm permit MUST complete a Utah certified firearms familiarity course, taught by a certified instructor BEFORE applying for a permit. Your instructor must complete the certification information section of the application form and affix their stamp in the box provided. Click here to access lists for both in- and out-of-state instructors. Those who hold a valid concealed firearm permit from another state are NOT exempt from taking the weapon familiarity course from a certified instructor. You MUST submit your application within one year from the date the course was completed, or you will

Utah currently requires all applicants to provide proof of completing a weapons familiarity course in order to obtain a concealed firearm permit.

have to take the course again. In addition, while it is not required, it may be highly advantageous to consider one of the following additional training options to enhance your familiarity with using a firearm: 1. Completing any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course. NRA Instructor Training courses are posted online, or you may request a list of Training Counselors in your geographic area by contacting the NRA Training Department at 1800-672-3888. 2. Completing a firearms safety course in your local jurisdiction. Some counties do offer their own firearm safety courses. You should check with your local Sheriff’s Office to see if it applies in your county. 3. Completing any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law-enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private or public

institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Department of Criminal Justice Services. 4. Completing any firearms training or safety course or class, including an electronic, video, or on-line course, conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor.

Section 4: The application process Concealed firearm permit applications are handled exclusively by the Utah Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). You must submit your completed application with all necessary documentation and identification, including all fees, either in person or by mail to: Bureau of Criminal Identification 3888 West 5400 South Taylorsville, UT 84129 You cannot apply online for an original permit. To complete your application process, you will need to proceed through the steps outlined below. Following the steps in order will save you a lot of stress and unnecessary back-tracking: 1. Determine your eligibility (see Section 2 of this document); 2. Download and print a copy of the application here, or request a copy directly from BCI (address above); 3. Take or mail your application to the instructor of your weapon’s familiarity course and have them fill out and affix their stamp in the section of the application that certifies your completion of the training; 4. Get fingerprinted. ALL applicants MUST submit their fingerprinting for a criminal background check BEFORE submitting the completed application. Fingerprint cards (blue and white form FD-258 only) and fingerprint services can be obtained by visiting BCI at the address above (for a cost of $15), or by visiting many local police departments or sheriff’s offices. Click these links provided to find your nearest local law enforcement office. Call them first to inquire if they do indeed provide fingerprinting services and to confirm their fees (which may vary). Note: Not all private fingerprint service centers use Form FD-258 cards, so be sure to request one in advance from BCI or local law enforcement to take with you.

5. Prepare for the submission of your application by gathering the following documentation:  Your completed FD-258 fingerprint card processed by a certified fingerprint technician;  A recent, passport quality, color photo (2”X2”) of your face (no glasses, hats, etc.) with your name clearly printed on the back;  Proper identification:   

Utah Residents: You must provide a very clear photocopy of your driver’s license or state identification card. Non-Utah Residents: See Section 5 below for details on documentation. A US citizen born outside of the US.: You must include a copy of your U.S. issued "born abroad" birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport to prove U.S. citizenship;

 Your payment in the amount of $39 for Utah residents or $49 for non-residents. You can pay by cash, check, money order, VISA or MasterCard. Checks should be made payable to Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification and must have your name and current address imprinted on the front of the check. Cash will only be accepted if you apply in person. 6. Once completed, you may personally deliver or mail your application, with ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION AND PAYMENT, to the BCI. If you are hand delivering your application, BCI hours of operation are M-F, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. If you choose to mail your application, enclose all documentation in a 9X12 envelope and mail it to: Bureau of Criminal Identification 3888 West 5400 South Taylorsville, UT 84129 7. Wait to receive your permit. Processing may take up to 60 days. Upon review and approval, your permit will be mailed to the address you’ve provided on your application. NOTE: BCI requests that you do not call to inquire about the progress of your application prior to 60 days.

A permit may be denied, suspended, or revoked if you fail to meet or maintain the criteria of “good character” as stipulated in Utah code 53-5-704. Your permit may also be denied, suspended, or revoked if the licensing authority has reasonable cause to believe you are or have been a danger to yourself or others. In the event of a denial, suspension, or revocation, you have a right to file a written appeal for review. You must request the review within 60 days from the date you received notice.

For questions or concerns about Utah’s application process or laws governing the issuance of concealed firearm permits you may contact the BCI directly: -

By phone at 801-965-4445

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By email at [email protected]

Section 5: Non-Resident Applications Utah issues permits to non-residents, provided applicants can supply all necessary documentation. NOTE: If your home state recognizes Utah’s concealed firearm permit or has formal reciprocity with Utah, you MUST FIRST obtain a permit from your home state and submit a copy of it with your application for a Utah permit (see Section 6 below to determine reciprocity). If your home state does not recognize the Utah permit, this step is not necessary; you may proceed with the Utah application process as usual. Either way, you MUST also provide a very clear copy of your home state issued driver’s license or your home state issued identification card along with your application. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens MUST include their Alien Registration number or INS Registration Number on both their application and on their fingerprint card.

Section 6: Reciprocity Utah’s concealed firearm permit law allows for reciprocity with 36 other states as of 2016. Under such agreements, Utah and other states agree to respect each other's concealed carry

laws and recognize each other's permit holders. The most up-to-date information on reciprocity is available directly from the state’s website. We have also included a graphic of a reciprocity map below in Figure 2 for your reference. The blue states honor the Utah concealed firearm permit (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming). Figure 2 – Reciprocity Map

Section 7: Renewing an expiring permit Your concealed firearm permit is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. At the end of that period you will need to renew it in order to continue carrying your weapon legally. The Bureau of Criminal Identification will send a renewal application to you approximately one month prior

to your expiration. (Make sure you submit a change of address form if you move, so they can update your records. If you do not, you may not receive the reminder notice to renew. See Section 8 below for details.) NOTE: A concealed firearm permit cannot be renewed more than 90 days before it expires. A permit which is expired for more than one year cannot be renewed. You must begin the application process all over again. You can apply for renewal in person, by mail, or online. To apply in person or by mail, click here to download and print the renewal application. You will need the following:   

 

your completed application; a copy of your state issued driver’s license or state issued identification card; the $15.00 fee in the form of a check made payable to BCI (be sure your name and correct address is imprinted on the check), money order, VISA or MasterCard. Cash will only be accepted if you are renewing in person. Be sure to include a $7.50 late fee if the permit is more than 30 days expired. All fees are non-refundable; a passport quality, color photo (2”X2”, face only, no sunglasses, hats, etc). Your name and current permit number must be clearly printed on the back of the photo; non-residents whose home state honors Utah’s permits must include a copy of their valid home state permit.

Bring or mail your renewal application, along with all documentation and fees, to: Bureau of Criminal Identification 3888 West 5400 South Taylorsville, UT 84129 To save time and inconvenience, you can click here to renew online.

Section 8: Changing your name or address It is highly recommended that you update your weapon permit if your name or address changes. Your license is valid no matter where you live in Utah, and is even valid in a number of other states outside of Utah (see Section 6 on reciprocity). However, without updating name and address changes, you cannot be sure you will receive your renewal notices or any additional correspondence in a timely manner.

Click here to print a form to update your name or address. If you are updating a name change, you must include a copy of the legal documentation attesting to the name change (i.e., a certified copy of your marriage license or divorce decree). You must also supply an updated, corrected photocopy of your state issued driver’s license or state issued identification card showing your new address, so take care of updating your license or ID BEFORE you apply for an updated firearm permit. The fee for an updated permit is $10. Payment can be made in the form of a check made payable to BCI (be sure your name and correct address are imprinted on the check), money order, VISA or MasterCard. Cash will only be accepted if you are renewing in person. Bring or mail your application for an updated permit, along with all documentation and fees, to: Bureau of Criminal Identification 3888 West 5400 South Taylorsville, UT 84129

Section 9: Replacing a lost or stolen permit It’s always a good idea to keep a photocopy of your permit in a safe place because you will need information from your current card, including the permit number, in order to replace it in the event that it becomes lost, damaged or stolen. Click here for the form you must complete in order to replace your permit. You will need to provide information concerning which law enforcement agency you reported your lost or stolen card to, along with the case number they provide you at the time of the report. You will then follow the same procedures from this point as you would if you were changing your name or address on the license (as discussed in Section 8).

Section 10: Carry location restrictions As a concealed firearm permit holder, you are entitled to carry your weapon fully loaded and concealed anywhere allowed by Utah law. There are a number of prohibited areas where you are not permitted to carry your weapon, whether you are a Utah permit holder or an out-ofstate resident with a reciprocal permit. You may not carry:

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into federal or state restricted areas, (any airport secured area, federal facilities, courts, correctional & mental health facilities, or law enforcement secured areas); into a place of worship; into a private residence where notice is given and/or posted; into any secured area in which firearms are prohibited and notice posted, or otherwise prohibited by state of federal law.

You may carry your weapon into an established where alcohol is served (e.g., a bar or restaurant). However, it is illegal to be intoxicated while in possession of a firearm. The level of intoxication is the same standard as when driving a car. (.08 BAC).

Section 11: Reminders for safe concealment In order to safely and legally carry your weapon, it’s important to consider these three reminders: 1. Remember that you are carrying a concealed weapon to protect life. Whether the life is your own, or that of complete stranger, the only reason you should use a concealed weapon is to protect life. The purpose is not to bully, harass, or otherwise intimidate those who do not demonstrate an immediate and deadly threat. The purpose is not to show off or feel good about one’s self. The sole purpose is protection of life. 2. Know when it is appropriate to use your weapon. Generally speaking, in order to use your weapon, your attacker must have: a. THE ABILITY – the attacker is armed, or appears to be armed; b. THE OPPORTUNITY – the attacker is positioned in a manner which allows him easy access to inflict harm; or, c. THE INTENT – the attacker is hostile or using words or body language to suggest that he intends to harm you. If all three criteria are not met, then you should think twice (and then think again) before using your weapon. For example, if the attacker has the opportunity and intent to harm, but lacks the ability (he is unarmed, or not equal is size/stature), then your claim of self-defense might not hold water. Or, if your adversary appears to be armed and is in a position to harm you, but

shows no signs of malicious, hostile intent, then a court of law would seriously question your motive for drawing and using your weapon.

3. Don’t be led by emotions. Choosing to carry a weapon is a decision that comes with a great deal of responsibility. When you are armed, you have forfeited your right to initiate any confrontation which could escalate or become violent. In short, you must be able to keep your cool! This means you cannot shout at the driver who cuts you off as you pass by him with windows down. You must ignore the men who are looking your girlfriend up and down as you leave the movie theater. If someone attempts to start a fight with you, you must respond with a smile and walk away. By carrying a concealed weapon, you have a legal and moral responsibility to de-escalate any potentially dangerous situations unless you are engaged by an attacker who meets all three of the above “attack elements.”

Quick Links and Sources -

Gun Laws in Utah

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NRA State Gun Laws Section

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Reciprocity Map

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Application