Utah criminal charge
Possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area in Utah
Possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-218. 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. § 76-11-218.
What is the penalty for possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Intentional or knowing possession — Applies when the actor intentionally or knowingly possesses a dangerous weapon within the secure area of an airport under Subsection (2)(a).; 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 (Intentional or knowing possession — Applies when the actor intentionally or knowingly possesses a dangerous weapon within the secure area of an airport under Subsection (2)(a).; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $750 (Reckless or criminally negligent possession — Applies, subject to Subsection (6), when the actor recklessly or with criminal negligence possesses a dangerous weapon within the secure area of an airport under Subsection (2)(b).; no imprisonment for an infraction (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-205); fined as for a class C misdemeanor when no punishment is specified; the fine may be satisfied by compensatory service) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-205 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intentional or knowing possession | Class A Misdemeanor | Applies when the actor intentionally or knowingly possesses a dangerous weapon within the secure area of an airport under Subsection (2)(a). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-218(3)(a) |
| Reckless or criminally negligent possession | Infraction | Applies, subject to Subsection (6), when the actor recklessly or with criminal negligence possesses a dangerous weapon within the secure area of an airport under Subsection (2)(b). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-218(3)(b) |
Common questions about possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area in Utah
Is possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area ranges from a Infraction to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-218.
Intentional or knowing possession: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-218(3)(a)) · Reckless or criminally negligent possession: Infraction (Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-218(3)(b))
What are the penalties for possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area in Utah?
Penalties for possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Infraction up to a Class A Misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 and Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-205; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area?
Possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-218 (Possession of a dangerous weapon in an airport secure area - Reporting requirements).
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.