UT law prohibits open or concealed carry in a "house of worship" that has published their policy and informed UT BCI (who posts it on their website). To date, only the LDS Church has declared their "houses of worship" to be gun-free. (Carry in Temple Square is OK, but not in the Temple itself or the Tabernacle. No carry in a Ward House or Stake House.) That being said, if you visit Temple Square while armed, I recommend concealed carry so as to not scare the Missionaries.
Jim,
Great note on recommended mode of carry in certain locations where carry is legal, but may be unwanted or cause concern.
Just one small correction. Utah law prohibits non-LEOs from carrying guns into any church that has "given notice". There are several ways a church can give notice and thus invoke the gun ban.
Reasonable signage at the church is enough to give notice and invoke the law. Unlike some other States, there is no statutory requirements on the signage language, size, etc. I expect that standard "reasonable man" kind of tests would apply. But not much beyond that. "You are welcome to join us; but your gun is not welcome" would qualify. So too would a gun "ghostbuster" sign.
Notice printed in the church program is sufficient and does present a certain problem. You are likely to already be inside when you get the program. In my mind, upon being notified, there is no legal choice but to leave as soon as possible to remove the gun from the building.
Personal notice from a church official (Priest, deacon, vicar, sexton, etc). If someone with authority over the building personally tells you that guns are not permitted, they have invoked the law and you need to keep your gun out or remove it post haste.
And finally, there is the BCI route of "giving notice." Under this route, a church must give a general "public notice" annually in a newspaper of general circulation, and then notify BCI. BCI keeps a list on their web page. Permit holders are advised to keep up to date on this list so as to avoid violating the law by taking their guns into a church which has given notice and invoked the law via this method.
Last I checked,two churches were using the
BCI web pagenotification method: the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (ie the LDS or Mormon church), and the United Church of Christ. The notice covers all LDS houses of worship (churches, temples, tabernacles) in the State.
Over the years I've seen or heard of a couple of churches posting signs or printing something in their bulletin. I can imagine that OC into some other churches would garner a personal request to at least cover up, perhaps even take the gun out entirely.
I've also heard of one or two rural churches that have specifically invited congregants and visitors to carry their guns.
The penalty for violation is an infraction. First time offense is generally not considered cause to revoke a permit.
The same law, except the BCI notification option, exists for private residences. If your neighbor posts a sign (nobody does) or tells you personally that he doesn't want you to carry a gun into his home, he has invoked the law and you can be popped for an infraction for carrying an otherwise legal gun into his home. Private residences don't have the option of the BCI web page notification.
In both cases of houses of worship and private residences, the legal ban applies only to the interior of the building. Parking lots, driveways, yards, and grounds are not covered. So perfectly legal to leave your gun in your car (good idea to secure the gun) in the church parking lot or neighbor's driveway while your person is inside the building.
I'm not aware of any prosecutions or convictions under this law which I think speaks to the general law-abidingness and courtesy of Utah's permit holders. If someone doesn't want me to bring a gun into their church or home, I feel compelled (regardless of what the law may say) to honor that request one way or another. Simply not visiting that location is an easy way to assure I never take a gun in. Leaving my gun at home, or secured in my car outside is another option.
Charles