Recent changes to Utah law over the past year have updated provisions related to the open carry of firearms, including allowing open carry on public higher education campuses. To support awareness and campus safety, the following guidelines created by USHE outline how these legal requirements apply at public institutions of higher education in Utah, including general considerations related to campus environments and institutional responsibilities.
Permit Requirements
Under Utah law, individuals who are 18 years or older and have a valid concealed weapons permit may carry a firearm on campus, openly or in a concealed manner.
Reporting Concerns
Institutions should notify students and employees that individuals with a concealed weapons permit can carry firearms openly or concealed on campus.
Campus Police Authority
Institutions should direct students, employees, and campus visitors who see or hear about someone with a weapon on campus and have concerns about safety to contact campus police or local law enforcement if the institution does not have campus police.
Who to Contact
For institutions with campus police, campus police have the primary responsibility for ensuring campus security. Campus police are authorized to verify that an individual carrying a firearm on campus holds a valid concealed weapons permit and must take appropriate action if someone is suspected of violating the law.