A new law in Utah could let people with concealed gun permits bring firearms to Utah Jazz games and other major events. Republican Representative Candice Pierucci introduced HB452, which would force any private venue that gets more than $1 million in public money to allow concealed carry permit holders to bring their guns inside.
This would be a big change because the NBA already has a rule that bans guns at all games across the league. The NHL also has strict rules against weapons at arenas like the Delta Center, which currently uses metal detectors at entrances. This creates a conflict between what state law might allow and what the sports leagues require.
According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Rep. Pierucci says the bill is about protecting gun rights in a state that values the Second Amendment. She believes that venues receiving taxpayer money should at least “have a discussion on if you’re going to prohibit someone’s Second Amendment rights while you’re there.” She points to Utah’s “really robust concealed carry permit” system as justification.
This proposal directly targets venues that received massive public funding
The Utah Legislature recently gave nearly $1 billion in subsidies to the Salt Lake City sports and entertainment district. That money is meant to bring in an NHL team and renovate the Delta Center. This is exactly the type of public funding that Pierucci’s bill would target.
Pierucci created this bill after hearing from someone who felt unsafe downtown and wanted to carry a gun for protection. The person “would have felt better with their family had they been able to pack along their concealed [firearm] while walking around downtown,” she explained. Utah has been making headlines lately for its unique liquor dispensing regulations, showing how the state handles various regulatory matters differently.
The bill would affect far more than just Jazz games. It could end gun bans at venues hosting Real Salt Lake soccer games, the Utah State Fair, and even future Major League Baseball games if Utah gets a team. The bill could also apply to some private hospitals that have received public funding.
Smith Entertainment Group, which owns the Jazz and the Utah Mammoth, has not commented on the proposal. Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd also hasn’t shared his position, saying he needs more time to review the bill. This comes as Utah law enforcement has dealt with recent high-profile custody and safety cases that have raised questions about public safety measures.
Some venues would be exempt from the law. The Salt Lake City International Airport is protected by federal rules. The 2034 Winter Olympics venues might also be exempt if the federal government labels the event as a “national security special event,” though that’s not guaranteed. The bill would not apply to events at Brigham Young University.
The bill only applies to people with concealed firearms permits. Utah allows permitless concealed carry in most places since 2021, but getting a permit requires background checks, fees, and a gun safety course. As of June 30, 2025, there are 657,271 active concealed firearms permits in Utah, though over 400,000 of those belong to people who live outside the state.
Published: Feb 4, 2026 12:30 pm