Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 2024 ‘Domestic Violence & Firearms in Utah.’ Who Can Have a Gun. San Francisco, CA: Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 25 April
Relevant contents
Domestic Violence and Firearms in Utah
Utah law does not:
- Prohibit individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition, unlike federal law;
- Require courts to notify domestic abusers when they become prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law; or
- Require the surrender of firearms or ammunition by domestic abusers who have become prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Firearm Prohibitions for Persons Subject to Domestic Violence Protective Orders
When a petition for an order of protection is filed, the court may prohibit the respondent from purchasing, using, or possessing a firearm upon a finding that the respondent's use or possession of a weapon may pose a serious threat of harm to the petitioner. The court may make such an order ex parte (without notice to the respondent). A petition for such an order may be brought by any emancipated person or person 16 years of age or older who:
- Is or was a spouse of the other party;
- Is or was living as if a spouse of the other party;
- Is related by blood or marriage to the other party;
- Has one or more children in common with the other party;
- Is the biological parent of the other party's unborn child; or
- Resides or has resided in the same residence as the other party.
However, a petition for such an order may not be brought if one party is the natural parent, adoptive parent, or step-parent of the other, who is a minor, or if both parties are natural, adoptive, step, or foster siblings who are under 18 years of age.
If a finding is made that the subject of a child protective order or an ex parte child protective order may pose a serious threat of harm to the minor, the order may prohibit the subject from purchasing, using or possessing a firearm.
Federal law also prohibits firearm possession by certain protective order defendants.
Removal or Surrender of Firearms at the Scene of a Domestic Violence Incident
Utah requires a law enforcement officer who responds to an allegation of domestic violence to confiscate the weapon or weapons involved in the alleged domestic violence incident…
[Editor's note: The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence regularly updates its webpages with new data as US gun regulation evolves state by state. For the most up-to-date information on US gun laws, please refer to the Giffords URL below]