SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — As of June 30th, 2016, Utah recognizes 662,720 valid concealed carry permits are in circulation. That’s only an 8.3% difference from the year before it. However, when we look at the difference from five years ago, there are 73% more concealed carriers. That’s a dramatic difference in the right direction.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducts Utah’s concealed carry application background checks and fingerprints. In 2015, we reported on BCI’s denial of renewals based upon fingerprint illegibility. This has neither swayed nor stopped applicants from continuing to apply and be issued permits.
In terms of fingerprint legibility, a lot has changed about that now that the BCI scans the fingerprint cards versus mailing them physically to the FBI. An FBI decision takes days to weeks versus months. This means a faster turnaround for applicants and faster issuance of permits.
Utah is one of the states that issues non-resident permits that are widely recognized throughout the country. This makes Utah an attractive option for those who travel regularly. Be sure to check a reciprocity map to know whether or not your Utah non-resident permit is accepted in a state you are visiting prior to carrying concealed over the border.
- According to BCI’s published records for Q2 2016, twice as many non-residents are issued permits as residents.
- 424,325 Permit Holders are non-residents
- 228,395 Permit Holders are Utah residents
The most common reason to have a Utah concealed carry permit revoked is insufficient fingerprints. Of the 796 permits revoked in Q2 of 2016, virtually all of them were due to insufficient fingerprints. Eleven were due to alcohol-related violations.
Since BCI started uploading their fingerprints versus mailing them, though, ZERO applications have been denied due to insufficient fingerprints. The majority of Utah application denials are due to either alcohol-related infractions or a prior felony being on a person’s record.
This is information all available through the BCI website. They publish quarterly reports on how many permits are issued, how many are in circulation, how many are denied/revoked and the reasons for those revocations or denials.
A third way to lose a concealed carry permit is through suspension. That is when Utah suspends your permit. It is not a revocation of that permit but it is a suspension and Utah must send you a notice that your permit is valid again before you can carry concealed using that permit.
According to the BCI, the vast majority of these are due to becoming a ‘Wanted Person’. That means there is a warrant out for a person’s arrest. This can be as simple as missing a routine court date.
In total, with over a half million concealed carriers and growing, Utah is shaping up to be one of the biggest contributors to the concealed carry community. We salute you and hope you all carry safely both in-state and abroad.