76-11-211. Possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor.

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/7/2025

(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.

(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