Article 1, Section 6. of the Utah Constitution states that, “The individual right of the people to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the State as well as for other lawful purposes shall not be infringed; but nothing herein shall prevent the legislature from defining the lawful use of arms.” A Utah permit is not required to purchase rifles, handguns, shotguns or long guns.

When a person purchase a firearm an instant criminal history background check is conducted and approved by the Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI).  Following details are required during the background check: name, birth date, gender, race, social security or other identification number of such potential buyer or transferee.  A fee is collected to cover the cost of the background check.  When purchasing a firearm the actual buyer should take delivery of the firearm.  However, holders of a valid concealed firearm permit are exempt from this requirement.  The official code of Utah Section § 76-10-524, allow purchases of firearms and ammunition pursuant to U.S.C. Title 18 Chapter 44 Sec. 922b(3).[i]

The main government office that deals with issues relating to firearms is:

Utah Department of Public Safety

Bureau of Criminal Identification

3888 W. 5400 S.

P.O. Box 148280

Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-8280

Phone: (801) 965-4445

And

Utah Attorney General

236 State Capitol

Salt Lake City, Utah 84114

Phone: (801) 366-0260

Fax: (801) 538-1121

[i] Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-524