Carrying in a car in Utah with a concealed firearms permit

[GuyWithQuestions]

Just having a Utah's permit and living in this state, I was wondering about something. The law in Utah says that if you have a concealed firearms permit you still have to follow all of the gun laws. The difference is that you're exempt from three laws: carrying on your person, in a school, and in a motor vehicle. So as far as carrying in a motor vehicle, how is this interpreted in the state of Utah? What are the limits of this? Does that only mean you can carry a loaded firearm on your person while in your vehicle? Does it mean you can have a loaded firearm in any area of your car as long as you're in your vehicle with your permit with you? (for example, in a holster under your seat, a loaded AK-47 between your seat and the passenger seat just in case of an attempted car jacking, etc.) Does that mean that you could leave a chambered firearm in your vehicle when you're not in it as long as you have a permit? (which I don't know why you'd want to do that, but I was just wondering)

 

[green-grizzly]

Technically, I don't think any of what you describe is illegal. The concealed weapons act does not require that you actually carry the weapon. Even if that were the case, as long as the weapon is accesable to you it is considered carried. It does not appear to be illegal to keep a loaded vehicle in an unoccupied car; the law only prohibits the carrying of loaded firearms (which CFP holder are exemt from anyway).

 

[luzyfuerza]

The best reference I have seen on Utah gun law is "Utah Gun Law II", written by attorney Mitch Vilos. Mitch writes that, in Utah, "...it's illegal to carry a loaded gun on a street, in a vehicle, or in a 'posted prohibited area' (which means any place [like a city?] where signs say it is illegal to shoot). This does not apply to concealed weapon permit holders, cops, judges, or nonresidents with concealed weapon permits from other states (see U.C.A. 76-10-523)." (Utah Gun Law II, p, 42)

Mitch writes further that carrying in a vehicle is defined broadly, and that a loaded gun does not necessarily have to be on your person for you to be considered to be "carrying" it in a car. Having a loaded gun readily accessible in your car, available for immediate use, and not securely encased seem to be the criteria.

I suggest you buy the book...its a good read!