Effective 5/7/2025
76-11-211 Possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor.
(1)
(a)As used in this section, “responsible adult” means an individual:
(i)who is 18 years old or older; and
(ii)who may lawfully possess a dangerous weapon.
(b)Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5, 76-11-101, and 76-11-201 apply to this section.
(2)An actor commits possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor if the actor:
(a)is a minor; and
(b)possesses a dangerous weapon.
(3)
(a)Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is:
(i)a class B misdemeanor for a first offense; and
(ii)a class A misdemeanor for each subsequent offense.
(b)A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if the dangerous weapon is:
(i)a handgun;
(ii)a short barreled rifle;
(iii)a short barreled shotgun;
(iv)a fully automatic weapon; or
(v)a machinegun firearm attachment.
(4)For an actor who is younger than 14 years old, this section does not apply if the actor:
(a)possesses a dangerous weapon;
(b)has permission from the actor’s parent or guardian to possess the dangerous weapon;
(c)is accompanied by the actor’s parent or guardian, or a responsible adult, while the actor has the dangerous weapon in the actor’s possession; and
(d)does not use the dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime.
(5)For an actor who is 14 years old or older but younger than 18 years old, this section does not apply if the actor:
(a)possesses a dangerous weapon;
(b)has permission from the actor’s parent or guardian to possess the dangerous weapon; and
(c)does not use the dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime.
(6)This section does not apply to the following minors who are otherwise complying with Subsection (4) or (5):
(a)a minor who is a patron at an amusement park, pier, or similar location and is possessing a firearm to participate in lawfully operated target concessions if the firearm to be used is firmly chained or affixed to the counters;
(b)a minor attending a hunter’s safety course or a firearms safety course and possessing a weapon as part of the course;
(c)a minor using a firearm at an established range or other area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited by state or local law;
(d)a minor participating in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm, or practicing for the competition;
(e)a minor who is on real property with the permission of the owner, licensee, or lessee of the property and who has the permission of a parent or legal guardian or the owner, licensee, or lessee of the property to possess a firearm not otherwise in violation of law;
(f)a minor who has a valid hunting license and is possessing a firearm to lawfully engage in hunting; or
(g)a minor traveling to or from an activity described in Subsections (6)(a) through (f) with an unloaded firearm in the minor’s possession.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 173, 2025 General Session
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 208, 2025 General Session