UtahUtah law exempts some firearm transfers from state background checks
Utah law exempts transfers to federal firearms licensees and qualifying transfers of federally regulated firearms to individuals from the state background check.
What it does
The law exempts transfers to federal firearms licensees from the state background check. It also exempts transfers of certain federally regulated firearms to individuals with recent federal approval.
Argument forPeople with recent federal approval for a covered firearm may avoid a second check, which could make completing the transfer simpler.
Argument againstThese transfers may skip the state check, which could mean less state screening before a firearm changes hands.
More detail
Dealers may transfer these firearms without the state background check. The exemptions cover transfers to a federal firearms licensee and transfers of a National Firearms Act firearm to an individual. For a National Firearms Act firearm transferred to an individual, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives must have approved the sale or transfer application within the previous 30 days. The law took effect May 6, 2026. Federal approval for an individual receiving a National Firearms Act firearm must be within 30 days before the transfer.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 26Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 3House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 3House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Feb 25House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Feb 25Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Feb 24Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Feb 24Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Feb 20House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded House/ concurs with Senate amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 20House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 20Senate/ to House
- Feb 20Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Feb 20Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Feb 20House/ to Senate
- Feb 20House/ concurs with Senate amendmentMajor
- Feb 19House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 19Senate/ to House with amendments
- Feb 19Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Feb 19Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 18Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 18Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 17Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 17Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Major
- Feb 12Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 12Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 6Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 5Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 4Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4House/ to Senate
- Feb 4House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 4House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Jan 27House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Jan 27House/ committee report favorable [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Jan 26House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Jan 23House/ to standing committee [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 20House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 14LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0101
- Jan 8LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0101
- 2025
- Dec 29Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Dec 29Bill Numbered but not Distributed
- Oct 3LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0101
- Sep 2LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0101
- Sep 2LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0101Introduced
Gun Policy