Utah criminal charge
Transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor in Utah
Transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-212. 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. § 76-11-212.
What is the penalty for transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Transferring a handgun to a minor — first offense — The violation results from transferring a handgun to a minor and it is the actor's first offense.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Transferring a handgun to a minor — first offense — The violation results from transferring a handgun to a minor and it is the actor's first offense.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Transferring a handgun to a minor — subsequent offense — The violation results from transferring a handgun to a minor and it is a subsequent offense after a first.; 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 (Transferring a handgun to a minor — subsequent offense — The violation results from transferring a handgun to a minor and it is a subsequent offense after a first.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Transferring a short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor — The violation results from transferring a short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Transferring a short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor — The violation results from transferring a short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transferring a handgun to a minor — first offense | Class B Misdemeanor | The violation results from transferring a handgun to a minor and it is the actor's first offense. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-212(3)(a)(i) |
| Transferring a handgun to a minor — subsequent offense | Class A Misdemeanor | The violation results from transferring a handgun to a minor and it is a subsequent offense after a first. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-212(3)(a)(ii) |
| Transferring a short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor | Third Degree Felony | The violation results from transferring a short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-212(3)(b) |
Common questions about transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor in Utah
Is transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-212.
Transferring a handgun to a minor — first offense: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-212(3)(a)(i)) · Transferring a handgun to a minor — subsequent offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-212(3)(a)(ii)) · Transferring a short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-212(3)(b))
What are the penalties for transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor in Utah?
Penalties for transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Third Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 and Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor?
Transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-212 (Transferring a handgun, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or fully automatic weapon to a minor).
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.