Utah criminal charge
Carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school in Utah
Carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205. Its classification is not fixed: Utah assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205.
What is the penalty for carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Carrying a dangerous weapon other than a firearm at school — Applies when the dangerous weapon carried by the actor on or about school premises is not a firearm.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Carrying a dangerous weapon other than a firearm at school — Applies when the dangerous weapon carried by the actor on or about school premises is not a firearm.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Carrying a firearm at school — Applies when the dangerous weapon carried by the actor on or about school premises is a firearm.; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Carrying a firearm at school — Applies when the dangerous weapon carried by the actor on or about school premises is a firearm.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrying a dangerous weapon other than a firearm at school | Class B Misdemeanor | Applies when the dangerous weapon carried by the actor on or about school premises is not a firearm. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205(3)(a) |
| Carrying a firearm at school | Class A Misdemeanor | Applies when the dangerous weapon carried by the actor on or about school premises is a firearm. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205(3)(b) |
Common questions about carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school in Utah
Is carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205.
Carrying a dangerous weapon other than a firearm at school: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205(3)(a)) · Carrying a firearm at school: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205(3)(b))
What are the penalties for carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school in Utah?
Penalties for carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Class A Misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school?
Carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205 (Carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.