1. (1)

   1. (a) As used in this section, "responsible adult" means an individual:

      1. (i) who is 18 years old or older; and
      2. (ii) who may lawfully possess a dangerous weapon.
   2. (b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5, 76-11-101, and 76-11-201 apply to this section.

2. (2) An actor commits possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor if the actor:

   1. (a) is a minor; and
   2. (b) possesses a dangerous weapon.

3. (3)

   1. (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is:

      1. (i) a class B misdemeanor for a first offense; and
      2. (ii) a class A misdemeanor for each subsequent offense.

   2. (b) A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if the dangerous weapon is:

      1. (i) a handgun;
      2. (ii) a short barreled rifle;
      3. (iii) a short barreled shotgun;
      4. (iv) a fully automatic weapon; or
      5. (v) a machinegun firearm attachment.

4. (4) For an actor who is younger than 14 years old, this section does not apply if the actor:

   1. (a) possesses a dangerous weapon;
   2. (b) has permission from the actor's parent or guardian to possess the dangerous weapon;
   3. (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
   4. (d) does not use the dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime.

5. (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:

   1. (a) possesses a dangerous weapon;
   2. (b) has permission from the actor's parent or guardian to possess the dangerous weapon; and
   3. (c) does not use the dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime.

6. (6) This section does not apply to the following minors who are otherwise complying with Subsection (4) or (5):

   1. (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;
   2. (b) a minor attending a hunter's safety course or a firearms safety course and possessing a weapon as part of the course;
   3. (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;
   4. (d) a minor participating in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm, or practicing for the competition;
   5. (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;
   6. (f) a minor who has a valid hunting license and is possessing a firearm to lawfully engage in hunting; or
   7. (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