Lax Utah Gun Permit Attracts Applications from Nonresidents | Utah

Laws for carrying concealed firearms vary widely by state, as do issuing standards for permits. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut do not honor other states’ permits. Some states allow nonresidents to apply for permits, including Utah whose lax regulations for the application process and broad acceptance have made it the permit of choice for gun enthusiasts. A recent article in the The New York Times called attention to a recent trend among gun owners across the country — nonresidents applying for a Utah concealed firearm permit. A Utah gun permit is a hot commodity due to several reasons: low cost, lax restrictions and reciprocity agreements with 32 other states.

Obtaining a Utah concealed carry permit does not even require setting foot within state lines at any point during the application process! Applicants can download the application online, pay the inexpensive $65.25 fee and take one of the many Utah-certified gun safety classes offered across the country. Of the 1,097 gun safety instructors certified by Utah, 706 are in other states. As more people have turned to Utah for permits, the demand for instructors who teach Utah’s gun safety class in other states has increased. Permits are good for five years and cost $10 to renew.

However, the public should worry that Utah’s gun safety classes do not even require applicants to fire a gun. New Mexico and Nevada no longer accept Utah’s concealed carry permit because of Utah’s inadequate training requirement. We strongly urge the 32 other states who recognize Utah's gun permit to reconsider allowing people with Utah concealed firearm permits to carry loaded guns legally in their state without having received extensive training and possibly never fired a gun.  

Read the full article from the New York Times here

Also check out this discussion on NPR with Clark Aposhian, who sits on Utah's Concealed Firearms Review Board, about this growing trend.