SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – ABC 4 is learning that gun sales in Utah have increased since the Colorado theatre shooting. Concealed weapon permit requests have also gone up. That means more people want access to guns, and the right to conceal and carry them. But, there are a lot of places in Utah you can't carry a gun. Probably more than you may think.
If you're thinking about buying a gun to protect yourself the next time you're out in public, you may be surprised you can't take it everywhere you want. According to Utah law, any secure area where the property owner doesn't want guns and posts a sign - is off limits, like restricted areas in movie theatres. If you are carrying a firearm in a business where a "no guns" sign is posted, you must leave the premises if asked or you could be charged with trespassing.
You can't take a gun on a plane but you can have it in your checked luggage.
"It needs to be unloaded, it needs to be in a locked hard sided case, and it needs to be declared to the airline," said Vera Adams, TSA Federal Security Director, State of Utah.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn't allow guns in any of its temples or meeting houses. And you can't take a gun into federal buildings like the post office, or any courtroom. Mental health facilities are off limits, as well as correctional facilities. UTA only allows guns onto TRAX trains and buses for concealed weapons permit carriers, the same goes for University Hospital. Permit carriers can take guns into Utah schools, but students can’t.
Some gun owners understand the reason for restrictions.
"Others like federal buildings things like that, courtroom obviously," said Tom Anderson, gun owner.
But other owners believe these gun restrictions don't work.
"You see people getting hurt in places where you're not supposed to have guns," said one gun store customer.
"It's over the top, I mean, most people who are legal gun owners aren't going to break the law," said Oscar Andrews, gun owner.
The above list is by no means comprehensive. Utah law allows any private home or business the option of banning guns. If you want to know more details where you can and can't carry a gun ask to talk to concealed weapons class instructor.
