Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205 — Carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school.

Current through 2026 General Session

Part of Part 2: General Weapons Violations, Utah Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205

Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.

Utah Code Ann. § 76-11-205Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session

(1)(a) As used in this section, "on or about school premises" means: (1)(a)(i) in a public or private elementary school or secondary school; or (1)(a)(ii) on the grounds of a private elementary school or secondary school. (1)(b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5, 76-11-101, and 76-11-201 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits carrying a dangerous weapon at an elementary school or secondary school if the actor: (2)(a) is not an individual listed in Subsection (4); (2)(b) carries a dangerous weapon on or about school premises; and (2)(c) knows or reasonably believes that the actor is on or about school premises at the time the actor carries the dangerous weapon. (3)(a) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if the dangerous weapon carried by the actor is not a firearm. (3)(b) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if the dangerous weapon carried by the actor is a firearm. (4) This section does not apply if: (4)(a) the actor is an individual exempt from certain weapons laws as described in Section 53-5a-108; (4)(b) the actor is 21 years old or older and has a concealed carry permit as described in Section 53-5a-303 and is carrying the actor's dangerous weapon in a concealed manner unless lawfully responding to an active threat in accordance with Section 76-2-402, 76-2-405, or 76-2-407; (4)(c) the actor is 21 years old or older and has a temporary concealed carry permit issued under Section 53-5a-305 and is carrying the actor's dangerous weapon in a concealed manner unless lawfully responding to an active threat in accordance with Section 76-2-402, 76-2-405, or 76-2-407; (4)(d) the actor is carrying the dangerous weapon at the actor's place of residence or on the actor's real property; (4)(e) the possession of the dangerous weapon is approved by the responsible school administrator; (4)(f) the dangerous weapon is present or to be used in connection with a lawful, approved activity and is in the possession or under the control of the actor responsible for the dangerous weapon's possession or use; (4)(g) the actor is an armed school security guard as described in Section 53G-8-704; or (4)(h) the actor is carrying the dangerous weapon in a vehicle lawfully under the actor's control, not including a vehicle owned by the school or used by the school to transport students. (5) This section does not: (5)(a) prohibit prosecution of another criminal offense that may occur on or about school premises; or (5)(b) prevent an actor from securely storing a firearm on the grounds of a school if the actor: (5)(b)(i) participates in: (5)(b)(i)(A) the school guardian program created in Section 53-22-105; or (5)(b)(i)(B) the Educator-Protector Program created in Section 53-22-107; and (5)(b)(ii) complies with the requirements for securely storing the firearm described in Subsection 53-22-107(5)(a).

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

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))

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).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.