Arizona Concealed Carry Permit Guide

Arizona Concealed Carry Laws - Overview

Constitutional/Permitless Carry State

Arizona is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state. Arizona does not require a concealed carry permit for individuals who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. This is confirmed by Pennsylvania's Attorney General reciprocity document, which lists Arizona among states that "do not require a concealed carry license to carry a concealed firearm in that state."

However, Arizona still issues concealed weapons permits (CWP) through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) for those who wish to obtain one, which provides benefits such as reciprocity with other states and the ability to carry in certain locations (such as establishments serving alcohol) where a permit is required.

Issuing Authority

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is the issuing authority for concealed weapons permits pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3112.

"The department of public safety shall issue a permit to carry a concealed weapon to a person who is qualified under this section." - A.R.S. § 13-3112(A)

Permit Eligibility Requirements

Under A.R.S. § 13-3112(E), the DPS shall issue a permit to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions:

1. Residency: Is a resident of Arizona or a United States citizen
2. Age: Is twenty-one (21) years of age or older, or is at least nineteen (19) years of age and provides evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States armed forces, the United States armed forces reserve, or a state national guard
3. Criminal History: Is not under indictment for and has not been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony unless that conviction has been expunged, set aside or vacated or the applicant's rights have been restored and the applicant is currently not a prohibited possessor under state or federal law
4. Mental Health: Does not suffer from mental illness and has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution
5. Legal Presence: Is not unlawfully present in the United States
6. Firearms Competence: Has ever demonstrated competence with a firearm as prescribed by subsection N and provides adequate documentation

Demonstrating Firearms Competence

Under A.R.S. § 13-3112(N), an applicant may demonstrate competence through any of the following:

1. Completion of any firearms safety or training course available to the general public, offered by a law enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private/public institution, approved by DPS or using NRA-certified instructors
2. Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Arizona Game and Fish Department or similar agency of another state
3. Completion of any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course
4. Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course approved by DPS
5. Evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States armed forces
6. A valid current or expired concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit or license issued by another state that has a training or testing requirement for initial issuance
7. Completion of any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualification to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties
8. Completion of any other firearms safety or training course conducted by a DPS-approved or NRA-certified firearms instructor

Application Process

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(F):

• The application is completed on a form prescribed by DPS
• The form shall not require the applicant to disclose the type of firearm
• The applicant must attest under penalty of perjury that all statements are true
• The applicant must affirm they have been furnished a copy of the relevant chapters and are knowledgeable about their provisions
• The applicant must submit the application with required documentation, two sets of fingerprints, and a reasonable fee determined by the director of DPS

Processing Timeline (A.R.S. § 13-3112(H)):

• DPS shall complete all required qualification checks within 60 days after receiving the application
• DPS shall issue a permit within 15 working days after completing the qualification checks if the applicant meets all conditions
• If denied, DPS shall notify the applicant in writing within 15 working days stating reasons for denial
• The applicant then has 20 days to submit additional documentation
• DPS must reconsider and inform the applicant within 20 days of the result
• If still denied, the applicant may request a hearing pursuant to Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10

Priority: DPS shall prioritize applications of in-state residents when issuing permits. - A.R.S. § 13-3112(A)

Permit Validity and Renewal

• Validity: A permit is valid for five (5) years upon issuance - A.R.S. § 13-3112(I)
• Military Extension: A permit held by a member of the U.S. armed forces (including Arizona National Guard or reserves) who is on federal active duty and deployed overseas is extended until 90 days after the end of the overseas deployment - A.R.S. § 13-3112(I)
• Renewal: Permits are renewable every five years - A.R.S. § 13-3112(K)
• DPS shall send a renewal reminder notice and renewal application form at least 60 days before the expiration date
• A criminal history records check is conducted within 60 days after receipt of the renewal application
• Fingerprints are not required for renewal - A.R.S. § 13-3112(K)

Carry Requirements

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(A):

• A permit holder shall carry the permit at all times when in actual possession of the concealed weapon and is required by A.R.S. § 4-229 or § 4-244 to carry the permit (these sections relate to carrying in establishments that serve alcohol)
• The permit holder shall present the permit for inspection to any law enforcement officer on request when required to carry it

Failure to Present Permit (A.R.S. § 13-3112(C)):

• A permittee who is required to carry a permit and fails to present it on request of a law enforcement officer is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $300
• DPS shall immediately suspend the permit upon notification of such a violation
• A permittee shall not be convicted if they produce to the court a legible permit that was valid at the time of the failure to present

Suspension and Revocation

• Arrest/Indictment: The permit of a person arrested or indicted for an offense that would make them unqualified shall be immediately suspended and seized - A.R.S. § 13-3112(B)
• Conviction: The permit shall be revoked upon conviction of a disqualifying offense
• Restoration: The permit shall be restored upon presentation of documentation showing the permittee was found not guilty, charges were dismissed, dropped, or dismissed by the county attorney
• Ineligibility: DPS shall suspend or revoke a permit if the holder becomes ineligible under subsection E - A.R.S. § 13-3112(M)

Reciprocity

Under A.R.S. § 13-3112(Q):

"This state and any political subdivision of this state shall recognize a concealed weapon, firearm or handgun permit or license that is issued by another state or a political subdivision of another state" if both:

1. The permit or license is recognized as valid in the issuing state
2. The permit or license holder is: (a) legally present in this state, (b) not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm in this state

Arizona has broad reciprocity, recognizing valid concealed carry permits from other states provided the above conditions are met. Arizona also has a written reciprocity agreement with Pennsylvania, among other states.

Permit Record System

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(J):

• DPS maintains a computerized permit record system accessible to criminal justice agencies for confirming permit status
• This information shall not be available to any other person or entity except on an order from a state or federal court
• A criminal justice agency shall not use the system to conduct inquiries on whether a person is a permit holder unless the agency has reasonable suspicion to believe the person is carrying a concealed weapon and the person is subject to a lawful criminal investigation, arrest, detention, or investigatory stop

Key Statute References

Law Enforcement Interaction

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(D), a law enforcement officer shall not confiscate or forfeit a weapon that is otherwise lawfully possessed by a permittee whose permit is suspended under subsection C, except that an officer may take temporary custody of a firearm during an investigatory stop of the permittee.

Arizona Concealed Carry Permit Basics

Overview

Arizona is a constitutional carry state. Since 2010, persons who are legally able to carry a weapon openly may also carry a concealed weapon without a CCW permit, subject to certain restrictions. However, individuals may still choose to obtain a CCW permit for several practical reasons.

Arizona is a shall-issue state, meaning the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) may not deny a CCW permit application if the applicant meets all statutory requirements.

Governing Statute

A.R.S. § 13-3112 - Concealed Weapons Permit

Reasons to Obtain a Permit (Even Though Permitless Carry is Legal)

• Reciprocity with other states that recognize Arizona CCW permits
• Carrying a concealed weapon in a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol (provided the establishment does not prohibit it)
• Carrying a concealed weapon in certain public buildings

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

1. Be a resident of Arizona or a United States citizen
2. Be lawfully present in the United States
3. Be at least 21 years of age, OR at least 19 years of age with evidence of:
   • Current active-duty military service, OR
   • Honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve, or a state National Guard (DD-214 required for all veterans)
4. Not be under indictment for a felony offense
5. Not be convicted of a felony offense, unless the conviction has been expunged, set aside, vacated, or pardoned, or the individual's right to possess firearms has been restored; must not be a prohibited possessor under state or federal law
6. Not suffer from mental illness, and not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution
7. Satisfactorily complete a firearms safety training program pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3112(N)

Firearms Safety Training - Acceptable Documentation

Applicants must provide adequate documentation of competency with a firearm. Any one of the following is acceptable:

1. A valid current or expired CCW permit previously issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS)
2. A certificate, card, or document showing completion of any course or class that meets statutory requirements relating to safety training and competency with firearms
3. A U.S. Department of Defense DD Form 214 indicating honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions, a certificate of basic training completion, or any other document demonstrating service in the U.S. Armed Forces
4. A concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit or license issued by another state or political subdivision for which training was required for issuance

Proof of Citizenship or Alien Status

Persons born outside the United States or one of its territories must submit a copy of proof of citizenship or alien status and provide an Alien Registration Number if available. Acceptable documents include:

• Certificate of Naturalization
• Resident Alien Card
• Record of Birth Abroad to U.S. Citizens
• Record of Birth Abroad to Armed Forces Personnel
• U.S. Passport

Application Process

• Issuing Authority: Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), Concealed Weapons Permit Unit (CWPU)
• Processing Time: Allow 75 days for the CWPU to process the application. If no permit or notification is received after 75 days, contact the CWPU.
• In-Person Delivery: Applications may be delivered to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Public Services Center, located at 2222 W. Encanto Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding state and federal holidays.
• Applications containing errors or incomplete information will be returned to the applicant for correction.
• Upon receipt of the permit, applicants should inspect it for errors. If an error is found, the permit should be returned with a completed "Profile Change Request Form."

Denial Process

• Applicants denied a permit will receive a denial letter from the CWPU.
• If the applicant has official court documentation showing charges were dismissed and/or firearm rights have been restored, the documentation should be submitted to the CWPU within the timeframe specified in the denial letter.
• If the applicant believes their criminal history record is inaccurate, they may request a review by contacting the AZDPS Central State Repository Section at (602) 223-2222.

Historical Context

• 1994: Arizona passed its concealed carry law. Prior to this, persons could only carry weapons without a permit if the weapon was visible.
• 2010: Arizona enacted permitless (constitutional) carry, allowing persons who could legally carry openly to also carry concealed without a CCW permit.

Arizona Constitutional Carry

Overview

Arizona is a constitutional carry state, meaning that individuals who are legally eligible to possess a firearm may carry a concealed weapon without obtaining a permit. Arizona enacted its constitutional carry law in 2010 (effective July 29, 2010), making it one of the earliest states to adopt permitless concealed carry.

Note: The information in this article is based on Arizona Revised Statutes and publicly available legal references. The primary source material available for verification at the time of review was a partial excerpt of ARS § 4-244. Many of the specific statutory citations referenced below (ARS § 13-3101, § 13-3102, § 13-3108, § 13-3112, § 13-3119, § 4-229) could not be independently verified against the available source material but are cited based on the Arizona Revised Statutes. Readers should consult the current text of these statutes directly for authoritative guidance.

Legal Framework

Arizona's constitutional carry provisions are found within Title 13, Chapter 31 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), which governs "Weapons and Explosives." The key statutes include:

• ARS § 13-3101 - Definitions (including definitions of "concealed weapon" and prohibited possessor categories)
• ARS § 13-3102 - Misconduct involving weapons; defenses; classification; definitions
• ARS § 13-3112 - Concealed weapons; qualification; application; permit to carry

Who May Carry Without a Permit

Under Arizona's constitutional carry framework, a person may carry a concealed weapon without a permit provided they:

• Are 21 years of age or older
• Are legally present in Arizona
• Are not a prohibited possessor under state or federal law (as defined in ARS § 13-3101, subsection A, paragraph 7)

Permit System Still Available

Despite constitutional carry, Arizona continues to issue concealed weapons permits (CWP) through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) under ARS § 13-3112. There are several reasons a person may still choose to obtain a permit:

Permit Requirements (ARS § 13-3112(E))

To obtain a CWP, an applicant must:

1. Be a resident of Arizona or a United States citizen
2. Be 21 years of age or older, or at least 19 years of age with evidence of current military service or proof of honorable/general discharge under honorable conditions
3. Not be under indictment for and not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction (unless expunged, set aside, vacated, or rights restored and not currently a prohibited possessor)
4. Not suffer from mental illness and not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution
5. Not be unlawfully present in the United States
6. Have demonstrated competence with a firearm as prescribed by ARS § 13-3112(N)

Permit Validity

• Permits are valid for five years (ARS § 13-3112(I))
• Permits held by active-duty military members deployed overseas are extended until 90 days after the end of overseas deployment
• Permits are renewable every five years (ARS § 13-3112(K))

Benefits of Obtaining a Permit

1. Reciprocity with other states - Arizona has reciprocity agreements and recognition with numerous other states. A permit issued under ARS § 13-3112 is recognized by many states that do not have constitutional carry or that require a permit from the carrier's home state.
2. Carrying in establishments serving alcohol - Under ARS § 4-229 and ARS § 4-244, a person carrying a concealed weapon in certain licensed establishments (bars, restaurants serving alcohol) is required to carry the permit and present it for inspection to law enforcement on request.
3. Streamlined background checks - A valid CWP may serve as an alternative to the NICS background check for firearm purchases.

Carry in Licensed Establishments (Alcohol-Related Restrictions)

Even under constitutional carry, specific rules apply when carrying in establishments licensed to serve alcohol:

• A person carrying concealed in such establishments must carry a valid CWP and present it on request per ARS § 4-229 and ARS § 4-244 (referenced in ARS § 13-3112(A) and (C))
• Failure to present the permit when required is a civil violation subject to a penalty of not more than $300 (ARS § 13-3112(C))

Recognition of Out-of-State Permits

Per ARS § 13-3112(Q), Arizona recognizes concealed weapon permits or licenses issued by other states or political subdivisions if:

1. The permit or license is recognized as valid in the issuing state
2. The permit or license holder is:
   • Legally present in Arizona
   • Not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm in Arizona

However, per ARS § 13-3112(S), a person with a concealed weapons permit from another state may not carry concealed in Arizona if they are:

• Under 21 years of age, or
• Under indictment for or convicted of a felony (unless expunged, set aside, vacated, or rights restored and not currently a prohibited possessor)

Reciprocity Agreements

Per ARS § 13-3112(R), the Department of Public Safety enters into written reciprocity agreements with other states. Arizona has reciprocity agreements with numerous states recognizing each other's concealed carry permits. Arizona is also listed among states that do not require a concealed carry license to carry a concealed firearm, confirming its constitutional carry status.

State Preemption

Per ARS § 13-3108, firearms are regulated by the state, and state law preempts local regulation. This means that cities, towns, and counties in Arizona cannot enact their own laws restricting the carrying of concealed weapons beyond what state law provides.

Key Prohibited Locations

Even under constitutional carry, Arizona law restricts carrying firearms in certain locations as outlined in ARS § 13-3102, including but not limited to:

• Polling places on election day
• School grounds (K-12)
• Secured areas of airports (ARS § 13-3119)
• Certain government buildings with proper signage and security measures
• Any establishment or event where the owner/operator has posted proper notice prohibiting firearms

Important Notes

• No duty to inform: Arizona does not have a general statutory requirement to proactively inform law enforcement that you are carrying a concealed weapon, but under A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1)(b), if you are contacted by a law enforcement officer during a lawful traffic stop, investigation, detention or investigatory stop and the officer asks whether you are carrying a concealed deadly weapon, you must accurately answer
• Law enforcement interaction: Per ARS § 13-3112(D), a law enforcement officer shall not confiscate or forfeit a weapon that is otherwise lawfully possessed by a permittee whose permit is suspended, except that an officer may take temporary custody of a firearm during an investigatory stop
• Constitutional carry applies to both residents and non-residents who are legally present in Arizona and meet the age and eligibility requirements

Arizona Concealed Carry Laws

Constitutional (Permitless) Carry

Arizona is a constitutional carry state. Arizona does not require a concealed carry license to carry a concealed weapon. As noted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, Arizona is listed among states that "do not require a concealed carry license to carry a concealed firearm in that state."

However, Arizona still issues concealed weapons permits (CWP) through the Department of Public Safety for those who wish to obtain one, which provides benefits such as reciprocity with other states and the ability to carry in certain locations (such as establishments serving alcohol) where a permit is required.

Governing Statutes

The concealed weapons permit system operates under:

• Arizona Revised Statute § 13-3112 - Primary statute governing concealed weapons permits
• Arizona Administrative Rules R13-9-101 through R13-9-603 - Administrative rules for implementation
• A.R.S. Title 13, Chapters 4 and 31 - Related criminal code provisions applicants must review

Issuing Authority

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the issuing authority for concealed weapons permits.

Contact Information:

• Arizona Department of Public Safety, Concealed Weapons Permit Unit
• 2222 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85009
• Phone: (602) 256-6280
• Email: ccw@azdps.gov

Eligibility Requirements (A.R.S. § 13-3112(E))

An applicant must meet all of the following conditions:

1. Residency/Citizenship: Must be a resident of Arizona or a United States citizen.

   • Non-U.S. citizens must be Arizona residents (conditional residents do not qualify).
   • Non-citizens must provide a permanent resident alien card (front and back), USCIS Form I-94, or other federally issued document, plus proof of Arizona residency.

2. Age: Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older, or at least nineteen (19) years of age with evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States armed forces, armed forces reserve, or a state national guard.

3. Criminal History: Must not be under indictment for and must not have been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony, unless that conviction has been expunged, set aside, or vacated, or the applicant's rights have been restored, and the applicant is not currently a prohibited possessor under state or federal law.

4. Mental Health: Must not suffer from mental illness and must not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution.

5. Legal Presence: Must not be unlawfully present in the United States.

6. Firearms Competence: Must have ever demonstrated competence with a firearm and provide adequate documentation (see Training Requirements below).

Training / Firearms Competence Requirements (A.R.S. § 13-3112(N))

An applicant must demonstrate competence with a firearm through any of the following:

1. Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public, offered by a law enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private/public institution, academy, organization, or firearms training school, that is approved by DPS or uses instructors certified by the National Rifle Association (NRA).
2. Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Arizona Game and Fish Department or a similar agency of another state.
3. Completion of any NRA firearms safety or training course.
4. Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or other law enforcement/security enforcement divisions, approved by DPS.
5. Evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States armed forces.
6. A valid current or expired concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit or license issued by another state or political subdivision that has a training or testing requirement for initial issuance.
7. Completion of any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualification to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties.
8. Completion of any other firearms safety or training course or class conducted by a DPS-approved or NRA-certified firearms instructor.

Adequate Documentation (A.R.S. § 13-3112(E)(6))

"Adequate documentation" means:

• A current or expired permit issued by DPS pursuant to § 13-3112
• An original or copy of a certificate, card, or document showing completion of any qualifying course, or an affidavit from the instructor/school/club/organization attesting to completion
• An original or copy of DD-214 indicating honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions, certificate of completion of basic training, or other proof of military service
• An original or copy of a concealed weapon/firearm/handgun permit or license from another state

Application Process

New Applications

1. Complete the application on a form prescribed by DPS (available online at azdpsccw.permitium.com).
2. The form does not require disclosure of the type of firearm for which a permit is sought.
3. The applicant must attest under penalty of perjury that all statements are true, that the applicant has been furnished a copy of A.R.S. Title 13, Chapters 4 and 31, and is knowledgeable about those provisions.
4. Submit the application with required documentation, two sets of fingerprints, and the applicable fee.

Fingerprinting Options for New Applicants

Option 1 - Electronic Fingerprints via FieldPrint:

• Schedule an appointment after submitting the online application, providing the Order Number from the submitted application.

Option 2 - Physical Fingerprint Cards:

• Obtain two (2) fingerprint cards taken by a qualified fingerprint technician at a law enforcement agency or fingerprint provider.
• All boxes must be filled in.
• Include a coversheet with the Order Number of the application.

Proof of Identity

• If born outside the United States or its territories, submit one of the following:
  • Record of birth abroad to an American citizen
  • Record of birth to Armed Service personnel
  • Passport issued by the United States
  • Certificate of Naturalization

Fees

Processing Time

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(H):

• DPS shall complete all required qualification checks within 60 days after receiving the application.
• DPS shall issue a permit within 15 working days after completing the qualification checks if the applicant meets all conditions.
• If denied, DPS shall notify the applicant in writing within 15 working days after completing checks, stating reasons for denial.
• The applicant then has 20 days to submit additional documentation.
• DPS shall reconsider and inform the applicant within 20 days of the result.
• If still denied, the applicant may request a hearing pursuant to Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10.
• DPS prioritizes applications of in-state residents when issuing permits.

Permit Duration and Renewal (A.R.S. § 13-3112(I), (K))

• A permit is valid for five (5) years upon issuance.
• Military exception: A permit held by a member of the U.S. armed forces (including Arizona National Guard or reserves) who is on federal active duty and deployed overseas is extended until 90 days after the end of the overseas deployment.
• Permits are renewable every five years.
• DPS sends a renewal reminder notice and renewal application form at least 60 days before the expiration date.
• A criminal history records check is conducted within 60 days after receipt of the renewal application.
• Additional fingerprints are not required for renewal.

Carry Requirements

When a Permit Must Be Carried

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(A), a permit holder shall carry the permit at all times when in actual possession of a concealed weapon and is required by A.R.S. § 4-229 or § 4-244 to carry the permit (relating to carrying in establishments that serve alcohol). The permit holder must present the permit for inspection to any law enforcement officer on request when required to carry it.

Civil Penalty for Failure to Present Permit

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(C), a permittee who is required to carry a permit (under § 4-229 or § 4-244) and fails to present it for inspection on request of a law enforcement officer is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $300. DPS shall immediately suspend the permit upon notification of the violation. However, a permittee shall not be convicted if they produce to the court a legible permit that was valid at the time of the failure to present.

Suspension and Revocation

• Arrest/Indictment: The permit of a person arrested or indicted for an offense that would make them unqualified under A.R.S. § 13-3101(A)(7) or § 13-3112 shall be immediately suspended and seized (A.R.S. § 13-3112(B)).
• Conviction: The permit shall be revoked upon conviction of a disqualifying offense.
• Restoration: The permit shall be restored upon presentation of documentation showing the permittee was found not guilty, charges were dismissed, or charges were dropped.
• General: DPS shall suspend or revoke a permit if the holder becomes ineligible under subsection E, with written notification within 15 working days stating reasons (A.R.S. § 13-3112(M)).

Law Enforcement Interactions

• A law enforcement officer shall not confiscate or forfeit a weapon that is otherwise lawfully possessed by a permittee whose permit is suspended under subsection C, except that an officer may take temporary custody of a firearm during an investigatory stop (A.R.S. § 13-3112(D)).
• The computerized permit record system is accessible to criminal justice agencies for confirming permit status but shall not be used to conduct inquiries on whether a person is a permit holder unless the agency has reasonable suspicion to believe the person is carrying a concealed weapon and the person is subject to a lawful criminal investigation, arrest, detention, or investigatory stop (A.R.S. § 13-3112(J)).

Reciprocity (A.R.S. § 13-3112(Q))

Arizona recognizes a concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit or license issued by another state or political subdivision of another state if both:

1. The permit or license is recognized as valid in the issuing state.
2. The permit or license holder is:
   • (a) Legally present in this state.
   • (b) Not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Arizona has a written reciprocity agreement with Pennsylvania (and other states). Pennsylvania recognizes Arizona concealed carry licenses for Arizona residents who are 21 years of age or older.

Name and Address Changes

• Change of Address: Submit proof of address change with government-issued photo ID. No fee.
• Legal Name Change: Submit a written request containing both previous and new names, accompanied by a copy of the court document or marriage certificate authorizing the name change. Fee: $10.00.

Privacy Protections (A.R.S. § 13-3112(J))

Records maintained regarding applicants, permit holders, or instructors are not available to any person or entity except on an order from a state or federal court.

Annual Reporting (A.R.S. § 13-3112(O))

DPS shall maintain information comparing the number of permits requested, issued, and denied, and shall annually report this information electronically to the governor and the legislature.

<!-- federal-context-block:added-2026-05-20 -->

Federal context

N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen (2022). Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022), eliminated "proper cause" / "good cause" discretionary CCW frameworks and required states to apply objective issuance criteria. The decision converted formerly may-issue states to shall-issue. States that were already shall-issue or permitless before Bruen experience the case primarily through its broader historical-tradition test for evaluating subsequent Second Amendment claims.

Arizona Open Carry Laws

⚠️ LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While specific claims below are supported by cited source material, readers should independently verify all information by consulting the full text of the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) at azleg.gov before relying on this content. Firearm laws are subject to change.

General Overview

Arizona is widely regarded as one of the most permissive states in the nation regarding open carry of firearms. Open carry is legal in Arizona without a permit for any person who is at least 18 years of age and who is legally permitted to possess a firearm.

Arizona is also a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state, meaning that since July 29, 2010 (SB 1108), both open and concealed carry are permitted without a license for eligible individuals - though concealed permitless carry requires the individual to be at least 21 years of age.

Key Statutory Framework

Arizona's firearm laws are primarily found in Title 13, Chapter 31 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), covering "Weapons and Explosives."

Definitions (ARS § 13-3101)

Key definitions relevant to open carry include:

• "Concealed weapon" - Arizona law specifically regulates concealed carry. A weapon carried openly (visible and not hidden from ordinary observation) is not considered "concealed" and therefore is not subject to concealed carry regulations.
• "Prohibited possessor" (ARS § 13-3101(A)(7)) - Certain individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms entirely, which applies to both open and concealed carry. This includes convicted felons, persons adjudicated mentally incompetent, and persons unlawfully present in the United States.

No Permit Required for Open Carry

Arizona does not require a permit to openly carry a firearm. The minimum age for open carry is 18 years of age. Any person meeting this age requirement who is not a prohibited possessor may openly carry a firearm in most public places.

Source: HandgunLaw.us Arizona guide (2026) confirms: "Open Carry is legal in Arizona" and "The Minimum age for Open Carry is 18."

Concealed Weapons Permit (ARS § 13-3112)

While open carry does not require a permit, Arizona continues to issue concealed weapons permits (CWP) through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Per ARS § 13-3112(E), applicants must:

• Be a resident of Arizona or a United States citizen
• Be 21 years of age or older (or at least 19 with qualifying military service)
• Not be under indictment for or convicted of a felony
• Not suffer from mental illness or have been adjudicated mentally incompetent
• Not be unlawfully present in the United States
• Demonstrate competence with a firearm through an approved training course

Even in a constitutional carry state, obtaining a CWP is advisable for reciprocity when traveling to other states and for carrying in alcohol-serving establishments (see below).

Prohibited Locations

Even with Arizona's permissive open carry laws, firearms - whether carried openly or concealed - are restricted in certain locations, including:

• Polling places on election day (ARS § 13-3102)
• School grounds, K-12 (ARS § 13-3102). Section 13-3102's school-grounds prohibition covers kindergarten through high school only; carry on public college and university campuses is restricted by institutional policy and trespass law, not by § 13-3102.
• Correctional facilities and jails
• Nuclear and hydroelectric generating stations (ARS § 13-3102)
• Military installations
• Federal buildings and property (under federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 930)
• Post offices and federal courthouses (federal law)
• Airports beyond security checkpoints (federal law)
• Private property where the owner or responsible person has prohibited firearms or asked you to leave

Source: HandgunLaw.us confirms: "Places as listed in the 'Places Off Limits' above apply to those who open carry."

Establishments Serving Alcohol - Critical Distinction

Arizona law draws an important distinction between permit holders and non-permit open carriers regarding establishments licensed to serve alcohol for on-premises consumption:

This is one of the most significant practical reasons to obtain a concealed weapons permit even in a permitless carry state. The relevant statutes are ARS §§ 4-229 and 4-244.

Source: HandgunLaw.us states: "Those who Open Carry without a permit/license can't enter places that serve alcohol. Only those with a valid permit/license issued by Arizona or any other state can enter a place that serves alcohol for consumption on the premises."

State Preemption (ARS § 13-3108)

Arizona has a strong state preemption law that prevents cities, towns, counties, and other local authorities from enacting firearm regulations that are more restrictive than state law. This ensures uniform open carry laws across the entire state - no municipality can ban or further restrict open carry.

Source: HandgunLaw.us confirms: "The state preempts all firearm laws in the state and local authorities can't have Laws/Ordinances against open carry."

Private Property Rights

While open carry is broadly legal on public property, private property owners retain full authority to prohibit firearms on their premises. If an owner or responsible person asks you to leave, you must comply. Failure to leave after being asked constitutes criminal trespass under Arizona law.

Source: HandgunLaw.us states: "Remember that if you enter any property and the owner/responsible person ask you to leave you must leave. Failure to leave can result in Trespass Charges."

Defensive Display of a Firearm (ARS § 13-421)

Arizona law provides legal justification for the defensive display of a firearm. Under ARS § 13-421, a person may display a firearm defensively as a justified response to a threat of unlawful physical force or unlawful deadly physical force. This statute is particularly relevant to open carriers, as the visible presence of a holstered firearm in a threatening encounter is distinguished from brandishing or threatening.

Interaction with Law Enforcement

While openly carrying a firearm is legal in Arizona:

• There is no statutory duty to inform law enforcement that you are carrying a firearm during a routine encounter, though voluntary disclosure and cooperation are strongly advisable for safety.
• Per ARS § 13-3112(D), law enforcement officers may take temporary custody of a firearm during a lawful investigatory stop for officer safety.
• Inquiries into a person's concealed weapons permit status via the DPS computerized system (ARS § 13-3112(J)) require reasonable suspicion that the person is carrying concealed and is subject to a lawful investigation.

Age Requirements Summary

Key Takeaways for Permit Holders

1. Open carry is legal at 18 without any permit in Arizona.
2. Constitutional carry (concealed, no permit) has been legal since July 29, 2010 for persons 21+.
3. A CWP is still valuable - it grants access to alcohol-serving establishments (without consuming) and provides reciprocity in other states.
4. State preemption means local governments cannot impose additional restrictions on open carry.
5. Private property owners can always prohibit firearms and ask you to leave; refusal is criminal trespass.
6. Prohibited possessors under ARS § 13-3101(A)(7) may not carry firearms in any manner - open or concealed.
7. Always be aware of prohibited locations (schools, polling places, federal buildings, etc.) where carry is illegal regardless of permit status.

Relevant Arizona Statutes

Training Requirements for Arizona Concealed Carry Permit

Overview

Arizona is a constitutional carry state, meaning individuals 21 years of age or older may carry a concealed weapon without a permit; a permit applicant may instead be as young as 19 with current or honorable military service under A.R.S. § 13-3112(E). However, to obtain an official Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), applicants must demonstrate competence with a firearm through approved training.

Statutory Basis

Training requirements are established under A.R.S. § 13-3112, subsections E(6) and N.

Demonstrating Competence with a Firearm (A.R.S. § 13-3112(N))

An applicant must demonstrate competence with a firearm through any one of the following methods:

1. General Firearms Safety or Training Course - Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class that is available to the general public, offered by a law enforcement agency, a junior college, a college, or a private or public institution, academy, organization, or firearms training school, and that is approved by DPS or that uses instructors certified by the National Rifle Association (NRA).

2. Hunter Education or Safety Course - Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Arizona Game and Fish Department or a similar agency of another state.

3. NRA Firearms Safety or Training Course - Completion of any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course.

4. Law Enforcement Firearms Course - Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or other divisions or subdivisions of law enforcement or security enforcement, and that is approved by DPS.

5. Military Service - Evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States Armed Forces.

6. Out-of-State Concealed Carry Permit - A valid current or expired concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit or license issued by another state or a political subdivision of another state that has a training or testing requirement for initial issuance.

7. Police Agency Firearms Course - Completion of any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualification to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties.

8. Other Approved Firearms Training - Completion of any other firearms safety or training course or class conducted by a DPS-approved or NRA-certified firearms instructor.

Documentation Requirements (A.R.S. § 13-3112(E)(6))

Applicants must provide adequate documentation that they have satisfactorily completed a training program or demonstrated competence with a firearm. "Adequate documentation" is defined as:

• (a) A current or expired permit issued by DPS pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3112.
• (b) An original or copy of a certificate, card, or document showing the applicant has completed any qualifying course or class, or an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, or organization that conducted or taught the course attesting to the applicant's completion.
• (c) An original or copy of a DD-214 indicating honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions, a certificate of completion of basic training, or any other document demonstrating proof of current or former military service.
• (d) An original or copy of a concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit or license from another state (as prescribed by subsection N, paragraph 6).

Key Notes on Training

• The statute uses the phrase "has ever demonstrated competence" - meaning the training does not need to be recent; it can have been completed at any point in the applicant's lifetime.
• No additional training is required for permit renewal. The renewal process requires a criminal history records check but does not mandate additional firearms training (A.R.S. § 13-3112(K)).
• Training can be completed in any state or political subdivision in the United States (A.R.S. § 13-3112(E)(6)).

NRA Online Course Restriction

DPS has noted (via an NRA letter posted on the DPS website) that there are restrictions regarding the use of the NRA's name, titles, and trademarks for online firearms training courses. Applicants should verify that any NRA-branded course they complete is properly authorized.

Law Enforcement Officer Exemptions

The following individuals are exempt from the initial firearms safety training requirement to obtain a CCW permit:

• Peace officers who are certified active duty by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) Board
• Federally credentialed peace officers
• Honorably retired federal, state, or local peace officers with a minimum of 10 years of service
• Active duty county detention officers who have been weapons certified

Certificate of Firearms Proficiency (A.R.S. § 13-3112(T))

DPS may issue Certificates of Firearms Proficiency for purposes of implementing the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA) (P.L. 108-277; 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B and 926C). Requirements include:

• Retired or separated officers must complete a qualifications exam with the firearm they intend to carry, including a judgmental shooting evaluation
• Qualifications must be administered by an AZPOST Board certified firearms instructor or an NRA instructor approved by DPS's Concealed Weapons Permit Unit (CWPU)
• Active-duty officers may carry a firearm with law enforcement credentials without this certificate

AZPOST Firearms Qualification Standards

As of 2023, the AZPOST Board approved revised qualification courses:

• 40-Shot Daytime Semi-Automatic Qualification Course
• 40-Shot Nighttime Semi-Automatic Qualification Course
• Updated qualification courses were approved in 2025 and include Daytime, Nighttime, and Low-Light/Night courses
• These standards apply to peace officer qualifications under R13-4-111C

Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit (CCW) - Application Process

Governing Law

The Concealed Weapons Permit Unit (CWPU) operates under:

• A.R.S. § 13-3112 - Arizona's concealed carry statute
• Arizona Administrative Rules R13-9-101 through R13-9-603

Applicants should also review A.R.S. § 13-3101 (definitions), A.R.S. § 13-3102 (Misconduct Involving Weapons), and 18 U.S.C. § 922(d) and (g) (federal prohibited persons) for complete eligibility criteria.

Permitless Carry Note

Arizona does not require a concealed carry license to carry a concealed firearm in the state. However, obtaining a CCW permit provides benefits such as reciprocity with other states and exemption from the Brady Act background check requirement when purchasing firearms from a licensed dealer.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a resident of Arizona or a United States citizen
• Be 21 years of age or older; OR at least 19 years of age with evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States Armed Forces, Armed Forces Reserve, or a state National Guard (all veterans must provide DD-214)
• Not be under indictment for a felony offense
• Not be convicted of a felony offense, unless the conviction has been expunged, set aside, vacated, or pardoned, or the individual's right to possess firearms has been restored; must not be a prohibited possessor under state or federal law
• Not suffer from mental illness and/or have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution
• Not be unlawfully present in the United States
• Complete a firearms safety training program pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3112(N)

Non-U.S. Born Applicants

Persons born outside of the United States or one of its territories must submit proof of citizenship or alien status and provide an Alien Registration Number if available. Acceptable documents include:

• Certificate of Naturalization
• Resident Alien Card
• Record of Birth Abroad to U.S. Citizens
• Record of Birth Abroad to Armed Forces Personnel
• U.S. Passport

Non-Residents

Non-residents of Arizona who are U.S. citizens may apply for an Arizona concealed weapons permit.

Application Submission Requirements

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112, applicants must submit to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS):

1. A completed application
2. A certificate of completion from an authorized firearms safety training course, or documentation demonstrating the applicant's competency with a firearm
3. Two sets of fingerprints
4. The application fee
5. A signed statement attesting to the truth of the statements made and that the applicant has been provided with, and is knowledgeable about, statutes relating to justification defenses (Title 13, Chapter 4) and weapons and explosives (Title 13, Chapter 31)

How to Apply

Online Application (Recommended)

Apply online through the Public Services Portal at https://azdpsccw.permitium.com/entry. The portal offers options for:

• New Concealed Weapon Permit Application
• Renewal Concealed Weapon Permit Application
• Replacement (damaged, lost/stolen, permit error, permit not received)
• Change of Name or Address

Paper Application

Downloadable applications and instructions are available on the DPS website under the "Applications and Fees" tab.

In-Person Delivery

Applications may be delivered in person to:

Arizona Department of Public Safety, Public Services Center 2222 W. Encanto Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding state and federal holidays)

Fingerprinting Options

Two options are available for fingerprinting:

1. Electronic Fingerprints - Visit a FieldPrint kiosk. After submitting the permit application online, the applicant will be required to schedule an appointment to have fingerprints taken. Once submitted, the CWPU will process the application.

2. Ink Fingerprint Cards - Contact a local police department, sheriff's office, or third-party fingerprint provider. Per state law, two (2) fingerprint cards must be submitted with the application. All boxes on the fingerprint card must be completed. Do NOT bend or fold fingerprint cards as it may alter prints and result in rejection.

Fees

A.R.S. § 13-3112 requires the Director of DPS to determine the fee that must accompany initial and renewal applications.

Processing Timeline

• General processing time: Allow 75 days for the CWPU to process an application.
• Per A.R.S. § 13-3112, DPS must check the criminal history of every applicant against the Central State Repository for criminal records in Arizona within 60 days of receiving an application.
• DPS may exchange fingerprint information with the FBI for federal criminal history checks.
• If the applicant qualifies, DPS must issue the permit within 15 working days of completing the background checks.
• If the application is denied, DPS must notify the applicant within 15 days after background check completion and state the reasons for denial.
• If no permit or notification is received after 75 days, applicants should contact the CWPU.

Applications with Errors

Applications containing errors or incomplete information will be returned to the applicant for correction.

After Receiving the Permit

Once the permit is received, the applicant should inspect it for any errors. If an error is found, the permit should be returned along with a completed "Profile Change Request Form" (available under the Applications and Forms tab on the DPS website).

Denial Process

Applicants who are denied a permit will receive a denial letter from the CWPU. Options include:

1. If the applicant has official court documentation showing charges were dismissed and/or rights to possess a firearm have been restored, submit the documentation to the CWPU within the timeframe stated in the denial letter.
2. If official court documents are not available, contact the respective court or prosecutor's office to obtain official documentation, then share with the CWPU for review.
3. If the applicant believes the criminal history record information is inaccurate, they may request a review of the record by contacting the AZDPS Central State Repository Section at (602) 223-2222.

Self-Surrender of Permit

Permit holders who no longer wish to maintain a CCW permit may self-surrender:

1. Complete the CCW Self-Surrender form
2. Attach the permit card to the form in the designated area
3. Mail the completed form and permit card to the address listed on the form

Note: Once a permit is surrendered, it may not be reinstated. A new application would be required to obtain a new permit.

Key Statutory References

• A.R.S. § 13-3112 - Concealed weapons permit; application; issuance; denial; revocation
• A.R.S. § 13-3112(N) - Firearms safety training program requirements
• A.R.S. § 13-3101 - Definitions (weapons and explosives)
• A.R.S. § 13-3102 - Misconduct involving weapons
• 18 U.S.C. § 922(d) and (g) - Federal prohibited persons
• Arizona Administrative Rules R13-9-101 through R13-9-603 - Administrative rules governing the CWPU

Arizona Concealed Carry Permit - Fees and Costs

Permit Application Fees

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) administers the Concealed Weapons Permit (CCW) program. The following fees apply, as published by the Arizona DPS:

Reference: A.R.S. § 13-3112 (Concealed weapons; qualification; application; permit to carry)

Replacement Card Fee Details

The DPS online application portal provides more granular replacement fee information:

Accepted Payment Methods

The Arizona DPS accepts the following forms of payment:

• Money orders
• Cashier's checks
• Certified checks
• Credit card (if paying online or in person)

All checks must be made payable to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Personal and business checks are NOT accepted.

Refund Policy

The application fee is non-refundable. If an applicant does not qualify or is denied a CCW permit, no refund will be issued.

Processing Time

Due to the detailed nature of background checks, DPS must complete all required qualification checks within 60 days of receiving the application and must issue the permit within 15 working days after completing those checks (A.R.S. § 13-3112(H)).

Related Civil Penalties and Costs (State Preemption)

Under A.R.S. § 13-3108 (Firearms regulated by state; state preemption), the following financial provisions apply to political subdivisions that violate state firearm preemption:

• A court may assess a civil penalty of up to $50,000 against a political subdivision that has knowingly and willfully violated the state preemption statute.
• A person or organization adversely affected by a violation may file a civil action and, if the plaintiff prevails, the court shall award:
  • Reasonable attorney fees and costs
  • Actual damages incurred, not to exceed $100,000

Important Notes

• Arizona does not require a concealed weapons permit for lawful concealed carry under certain circumstances (see A.R.S. § 13-3112 for full eligibility details). However, obtaining a CCW permit provides benefits such as reciprocity with other states.
• Applications may be submitted online or via paper application through the Arizona DPS.
• Applicants should review Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13, Chapters 4 and 31 before applying, as attestation of familiarity with these laws is required on the application.

---

Sources: Arizona Department of Public Safety - Concealed Weapons and Permits (azdps.gov); Arizona DPS CCW Online Application Portal (azdpsccw.permitium.com); A.R.S. § 13-3112; A.R.S. § 13-3108

Arizona Concealed Carry Permit Renewal Process

Statutory Authority

The renewal of Arizona concealed carry weapon (CCW) permits is governed by A.R.S. § 13-3112, specifically subsections I, K, and L.

Permit Validity

• A CCW permit is valid for five years from the date of issuance (A.R.S. § 13-3112(I)).
• Military exception: A permit held by a member of the United States armed forces (including the Arizona National Guard or reserves) who is on federal active duty and deployed overseas is extended until 90 days after the end of the member's overseas deployment (A.R.S. § 13-3112(I)).

Renewal Timeline

• The Department of Public Safety (DPS) Concealed Weapons Permit Unit (CWPU) sends a renewal reminder notice and renewal application form to the permit holder at least 60 days before the permit expiration date (A.R.S. § 13-3112(K)).
• DPS recommends submitting the renewal application at least 90 days prior to permit expiration, or immediately following receipt of the "Notice of Renewal" letter from the CWPU.
• The permit is renewable every five years (A.R.S. § 13-3112(K)).

Renewal Application Requirements

1. Complete a CCW Renewal Application - available through the DPS online portal or by paper form.
2. Renewal fee: $43 (compared to $60 for an initial application).
3. No additional fingerprints required - for renewal purposes, the permit holder is not required to submit additional fingerprints (A.R.S. § 13-3112(K)).
4. No additional firearms competency demonstration required - the renewal process does not require re-demonstration of firearm competence.

Background Check

• Before a permit may be renewed, DPS must conduct a criminal history records check pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1750 within 60 days after receipt of the renewal application (A.R.S. § 13-3112(K)).
• If the applicant is no longer eligible for a CCW permit, DPS must suspend or revoke the permit and notify the applicant in writing (A.R.S. § 13-3112(M)).

Late Renewal / Expired Permits

• If a renewal application is received more than 60 days after the expiration date of the CCW permit, DPS must deny the renewal application.
• In that case, the applicant must complete a new initial CCW application and pay the full initial application fee of $60.
• Renewal applications received 61 days or more after expiration will be returned to the permit holder.

Expired Permit as Proof of Competence

• An expired CCW permit issued by DPS may be used as proof of firearm competence for a new application, provided the permit was in good standing at the time of expiration. Revoked or suspended permits will not be accepted as proof of competence (A.R.S. § 13-3112(E)(6)(a)).

Online Renewal

• Renewal applications can be submitted online through the DPS CCW permit portal at azdpsccw.permitium.com.

Fee Deposit

• All initial and renewal application fees are deposited in the Concealed Weapons Permit Fund established by A.R.S. § 41-1722 (A.R.S. § 13-3112(U)).

Summary Table

Arizona Prohibited Locations for Concealed Carry

Arizona law prohibits carrying firearms (open or concealed) in certain locations, regardless of whether a person possesses a CCW permit. The primary statute governing prohibited locations is A.R.S. § 13-3102 (Misconduct involving weapons).

Prohibited Locations Under State Law

1. Election Polling Places on Election Day

• It is unlawful to enter an election polling place on the day of any election carrying a deadly weapon, unless specifically authorized by law. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(11))
• Exception: Peace officers, military members performing official duties, correctional officers, and persons specifically licensed/authorized/permitted by state or federal statute. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(C))
• Violation is a class 1 misdemeanor. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(M))

2. School Grounds (K-12)

• It is unlawful to possess a deadly weapon on school grounds, including both public and private kindergarten programs, common schools, and high schools. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(12))
• "School grounds" means in, or on the grounds of, a school. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(N)(5))
• Violation is a class 1 misdemeanor (elevated to a class 6 felony if in connection with certain drug or gang offenses). (A.R.S. § 13-3102(M))

Exceptions to the school grounds prohibition:

• A firearm that is not loaded and is carried within a means of transportation under the control of an adult, provided that if the adult leaves the vehicle, the firearm is not visible from outside and the vehicle is locked. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(I)(1))
• A firearm for use on school grounds in a program approved by the school. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(I)(2))
• A person who possesses a certificate of firearms proficiency under A.R.S. § 13-3112(T) and is authorized to carry under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA). (A.R.S. § 13-3102(I)(3))
• A weapon possessed for purposes of preparing for, conducting, or participating in hunter or firearm safety courses. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(H))
• Peace officers, military members performing official duties, correctional officers, and persons specifically licensed/authorized/permitted by state or federal statute. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(C))

Note on Private Schools: Per Arizona Attorney General Opinion I16-009, Arizona CCW permittees are not prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun on private school grounds, as they are "licensed, authorized or permitted" under A.R.S. § 13-3102(C)(4). This exemption also applies under the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act.

Note on Public Schools: A.R.S. § 15-341(A)(23) requires the governing board of a public school district to prescribe and enforce policies that prohibit carrying or possessing a weapon on school grounds unless the person is a peace officer or has obtained specific authorization from the school administrator.

3. Nuclear or Hydroelectric Generating Stations

• It is unlawful to enter a nuclear or hydroelectric generating station carrying a deadly weapon on one's person or within immediate control, unless specifically authorized by law. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(13))
• Violation is a class 4 felony. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(M))
• Exception: Commercial nuclear generating station armed nuclear security guards during performance of official duties or security training exercises. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(J))

4. Public Establishments and Public Events (When Requested)

• It is unlawful to enter any public establishment or attend any public event and carry a deadly weapon after a reasonable request by the operator or sponsor to remove the weapon and place it in temporary secure storage pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3102.01. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(10))
• "Public establishment" means a structure, vehicle, or craft that is owned, leased, or operated by the state or a political subdivision of the state. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(N)(2))
• "Public event" means a specifically named or sponsored event of limited duration conducted by a public entity or by a private entity with a permit/license from a public entity. It does not include an unsponsored gathering of people in a public place. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(N)(3))
• Violation is a class 1 misdemeanor. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(M))
• This prohibition does not apply to shooting ranges, shooting events, hunting areas, or similar locations/activities. (A.R.S. § 13-3102(G))
• This prohibition does not apply to elected or appointed judicial officers in the court facility where they work, if they have demonstrated firearms competence per A.R.S. § 13-3112(N). (A.R.S. § 13-3102(D))

5. Licensed Premises Serving Alcohol (On-Sale Retailers)

• Under A.R.S. § 4-244(29), it is unlawful for any person (other than a peace officer on or off duty, certain retired peace officers, the licensee, or an employee with the licensee's permission) to possess a firearm while on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer of spirituous liquor.
• Key Exception for CCW Permit Holders: This prohibition does not apply to a person with a permit issued pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3112 who carries a concealed handgun on the licensed premises of any on-sale retailer that has not posted a notice pursuant to A.R.S. § 4-229. (A.R.S. § 4-244(29)(c) and (30)(c))
• Alcohol consumption prohibition: Even where carry is permitted, it is unlawful for any person in possession of a firearm on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer to consume spirituous liquor. (A.R.S. § 4-244(31))
• Additional exceptions apply for hotel/motel guest room accommodations and exhibiting/displaying a firearm in conjunction with a meeting, show, class, or similar event. (A.R.S. § 4-244(29)(a)-(b))

6. Private Property Where Owner Requests Removal

• The owner of a private establishment may request a person carrying a firearm to remove the gun from the premises. A person who refuses to comply may be charged with criminal trespassing (A.R.S. § 13-1502 or § 13-1503).

Prohibited Locations Under Federal Law (Applicable in Arizona)

7. Federal Buildings and Courthouses

• Firearms are prohibited in federal buildings and courthouses under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 930).

8. Military Installations

• Firearms are generally prohibited on military installations under federal regulations.

9. Indian Reservations

• Firearms regulations on Indian reservations are governed by tribal law. Carry may be prohibited or restricted; check with the specific tribe.

10. Airports

• Firearms are prohibited in or beyond security checkpoints at airports. Firearms may be transported subject to federal TSA rules (in checked baggage, unloaded, in a locked hard-sided container).

11. Correctional Facilities

• Firearms are prohibited in correctional and detention facilities.

12. National Parks

• Firearms are generally permitted in national parks to the extent allowed under state law, but are prohibited inside federal buildings within national parks (e.g., visitor centers).

Additional Locations and Considerations

13. Public College or University Grounds

• Public colleges and universities may prohibit carry on their grounds as determined by their governing boards.

14. Arizona State Parks

• Carrying a firearm inside any Arizona State Park building is restricted per A.R.S. § 13-3102 (public establishment provisions). Carrying a firearm outdoors in a State Park is generally permissible, though a Park Ranger may make a reasonable request to remove a firearm if the person is believed to pose a danger or threat.

15. State Trust Lands

• Target shooting is never allowed at any time of the year on State Trust Lands. During Stage 2 fire restrictions, discharging a firearm is prohibited except while engaged in a lawful hunt.

16. National Forests

• Firearms may be carried in National Forests in compliance with state law, but discharge is restricted:
  • Not within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area
  • Not across or on a Forest Development road or adjacent body of water
  • Not into or within any cave (36 CFR 261.10(d))

Penalties Summary

Key Definitions (A.R.S. § 13-3102(N))

• "Public establishment": A structure, vehicle, or craft owned, leased, or operated by the state or a political subdivision of the state.
• "Public event": A specifically named or sponsored event of limited duration conducted by a public entity or by a private entity with a permit/license from a public entity. Does not include unsponsored gatherings.
• "School": A public or nonpublic kindergarten program, common school, or high school.
• "School grounds": In, or on the grounds of, a school.

Carrying Firearms in Vehicles in Arizona

Arizona is a "Constitutional Carry" state (effective July 29, 2010), which significantly impacts how firearms may be carried in vehicles. The rules differ based on the person's age.

Persons 21 Years of Age or Older

Arizona's Constitutional Carry law allows any person who is 21 years of age or older and who can legally own or purchase a firearm to carry it loaded and concealed on their person without any type of permit or license anywhere inside a vehicle.

• No concealed carry permit (CCW) is required
• The firearm may be loaded and concealed
• The firearm may be carried on the person or anywhere within the vehicle

Persons 18-20 Years of Age

For persons 18 to 20 years old, different rules apply under A.R.S. § 13-3102:

• It is unlawful to carry a firearm concealed within the immediate control of any person in or on a means of transportation if under 21 years of age
• Firearms carried in a vehicle must be transported in one of the following:
  • A case
  • A holster or scabbard
  • A storage compartment
  • The trunk
  • A pack or luggage
  • The glove compartment
• If the firearm is in a holster, it may be concealed anywhere in the vehicle without violating the law (this does not permit concealing an unholstered gun underneath a seat)
• Persons 18-20 years old may openly carry a loaded firearm on their person while inside a vehicle, provided the firearm or holster is visible

Law Enforcement Contact During Traffic Stops

Under A.R.S. § 13-3102:

• Any person carrying a concealed firearm must acknowledge and comply with the demands of a law enforcement officer when asked if he or she is carrying a concealed deadly weapon, if the officer has initiated an "investigation" such as a traffic stop
• During the stop, the law enforcement officer may take temporary custody of the firearm for the duration of that contact for officer safety purposes
• "Contacted by a law enforcement officer" is defined as a lawful traffic or criminal investigation, arrest or detention, or an investigatory stop based on reasonable suspicion that an offense has been or is about to be committed (A.R.S. § 13-3102(N)(1))

Firearms on K-12 School Grounds (Vehicle Exception)

Firearms are generally prohibited on school grounds, but an exception exists for vehicles under A.R.S. § 13-3102:

• An adult may carry a firearm in a vehicle on school grounds, provided:
  • The firearm is unloaded before entering school grounds
  • If the adult exits the vehicle, the firearm must remain unloaded, the vehicle must be locked, and the firearm must not be visible from the outside
• Use caution if you must exit the vehicle with a firearm to secure it in the trunk to avoid causing a disturbance

Traveling Through Arizona

Generally, persons traveling through Arizona may have a firearm in their vehicle, subject to the age-based rules described above. Arizona does not require firearm registration (A.R.S. § 13-3108), and state law prohibits local jurisdictions from requiring licensing or registration of firearms or ammunition.

Prohibited Possessors

Regardless of the vehicle carry rules, prohibited possessors under A.R.S. § 13-3101(A)(7) may not possess firearms at any time. This includes persons who:

• Have been found to constitute a danger to self or others by court order
• Have been convicted of a felony (with certain exceptions for set-aside convictions)
• Are serving a term of imprisonment
• Are on probation for a domestic violence or felony offense, parole, or community supervision
• Are undocumented aliens or certain nonimmigrant aliens (with limited exceptions)
• Have been found incompetent or guilty except insane

Arizona Transportation Laws for Firearms

Constitutional Carry in Vehicles (Age 21+)

Arizona's "Constitutional Carry" law (effective July 29, 2010) allows any person who is 21 years of age or older and who can legally own or purchase a firearm to carry it loaded and concealed on their person without any type of permit or license anywhere inside a vehicle.

Persons Aged 18-20: Vehicle Transport Rules

Under A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(2), it is unlawful for a person under 21 years of age to carry a deadly weapon (except a pocket knife) concealed on their person or within their immediate control in or on a means of transportation.

However, A.R.S. § 13-3102(B)(3) provides exceptions for persons aged 18-20. A firearm is not considered unlawfully concealed if it is carried in:

• (a) A manner where any portion of the firearm or holster is visible
• (b) A holster that is wholly or partially visible
• (c) A scabbard or case designed for carrying weapons that is wholly or partially visible
• (d) Luggage
• (e) A case, holster, scabbard, pack, or luggage that is carried within a means of transportation, or within a storage compartment, map pocket, trunk, or glove compartment of a means of transportation

Persons aged 18-20 may also openly carry a loaded firearm on their person while inside a vehicle, provided the firearm or holster is visible.

Note: This does not permit an 18-20 year old to conceal an unholstered firearm underneath a seat.

Transport on K-12 School Grounds

Per A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(12) and (I)(1), possessing a deadly weapon on school grounds is generally prohibited. However, an exception applies:

• An adult may have a firearm in a vehicle on school grounds if the firearm is unloaded and carried within a means of transportation under the adult's control.
• If the adult exits the vehicle, the firearm must:
  • Remain unloaded
  • Not be visible from outside the vehicle
  • The vehicle must be locked

Duty to Inform Law Enforcement

Under A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1)(b), a person carrying a concealed deadly weapon commits misconduct involving weapons if, when contacted by a law enforcement officer, they fail to accurately answer the officer when asked whether they are carrying a concealed deadly weapon. During a stop, the law enforcement officer may take temporary custody of the firearm for the duration of the contact for officer safety purposes.

State Preemption of Local Regulations

Under A.R.S. § 13-3108, political subdivisions of Arizona are prohibited from enacting any ordinance, rule, or tax relating to the transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, acquisition, gift, devise, storage, licensing, registration, discharge, or use of firearms or ammunition. Any local rule that is inconsistent with or more restrictive than state law is null and void.

Political subdivisions also cannot require the licensing or registration of firearms or ammunition.

Prohibited Locations (Relevant to Transport)

Firearm carry (open or concealed) is generally prohibited in the following locations, which may affect transport decisions:

• Businesses serving alcohol for on-premises consumption (exceptions for CCW permit holders per A.R.S. § 4-229 and A.R.S. § 4-244)
• Polling places on election days (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(11))
• K-12 school grounds (with vehicle exceptions noted above) (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(12))
• Commercial nuclear and hydroelectric generating stations (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(13))
• Military installations
• Indian reservations (check with individual tribe)
• Federal buildings
• Airports (in or beyond security checkpoints)
• Correctional facilities
• Public establishments or events when asked to remove the weapon by the operator/sponsor (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(10))

State and National Parks / National Forests

• Arizona State Parks: Carrying a firearm outdoors in a state park is permissible; however, carrying inside a state park building is restricted per A.R.S. § 13-3102. A Park Ranger may make a reasonable request to remove a firearm if the person is believed to pose a danger.
• Local Parks: Under A.R.S. § 13-3108, cities and counties cannot ban firearms in parks. Open or concealed carry is permitted depending on age.
• National Forests: Firearms may be carried in compliance with state laws, but federal regulations apply regarding discharge. Per 36 CFR 261.10(d), firearms may not be discharged:
  1. Within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area
  2. Across or on a Forest Development road or adjacent body of water, or in any manner exposing persons or property to injury
  3. Into or within any cave

Federal Interstate Transport Protections

Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), the following categories of persons are prohibited from shipping, transporting, possessing, or receiving any firearm or ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce:

1. Persons convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
2. Fugitives from justice
3. Unlawful users of or persons addicted to controlled substances
4. Persons adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution
5. Illegal/unlawful aliens or certain nonimmigrant visa holders
6. Persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces
7. Persons who have renounced U.S. citizenship
8. Persons subject to qualifying domestic violence restraining orders
9. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence

Definitions (A.R.S. § 13-3101)

• "Firearm": Any loaded or unloaded handgun, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, or other weapon that will expel, is designed to expel, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. Does not include a firearm in permanently inoperable condition.
• "Deadly weapon": Anything designed for lethal use, including firearms.
• "Means of transportation": A term used throughout A.R.S. § 13-3102 that includes vehicles. Note: A.R.S. § 13-3101 does not provide a formal statutory definition of this term.

Storage Requirements for Concealed Carry - Arizona

Arizona does not impose a general statutory requirement on firearm owners or concealed carry permit holders to store firearms in any particular manner in their homes or vehicles. The state addresses firearm storage only in specific, narrow contexts - public establishments requesting weapon removal, employer and property-owner vehicle parking, and during declared emergencies. The relevant statutes are outlined below.

Public Establishments and Public Events - ARS § 13-3102.01

If the operator of a public establishment or sponsor of a public event requests that a person carrying a deadly weapon remove it, the operator or sponsor must provide temporary and secure storage for the weapon. Key provisions:

• The storage must be readily accessible on entry and allow immediate retrieval on exit (ARS § 13-3102.01(A)).
• This requirement does not apply to licensed premises holding a liquor license under Title 4 (ARS § 13-3102.01(B)).
• The operator, sponsor, or their employees/agents (including public entities and public employees) are not liable for acts or omissions related to this storage unless they intended to cause injury or were grossly negligent (ARS § 13-3102.01(C)).
• "Public establishment" and "public event" are defined in ARS § 13-3102.

Vehicle Storage in Locked Vehicles - ARS § 12-781

Arizona law (A.R.S. 12-781(A)) bars a property owner, tenant, public or private employer or business entity from prohibiting a person from lawfully transporting or storing a firearm in a vehicle, provided both conditions are met:

1. The firearm is in the person's locked, privately owned motor vehicle or in a locked compartment on a privately owned motorcycle; and
2. The firearm is not visible from outside the vehicle or motorcycle.

The Arizona Board of Regents or a university may require that vehicles transporting or storing firearms be parked in designated alternative parking areas as described in ARS § 12-781. Possession or use of personal safety devices (e.g., pepper spray) is not prohibited.

Emergency Powers Cannot Restrict Storage - ARS § 26-303(L)

Arizona law explicitly prohibits government officials from imposing additional restrictions on firearm storage during declared emergencies:

"Pursuant to the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 26, Constitution of Arizona, and notwithstanding any other law, the emergency powers of the governor, the adjutant general or any other official or person do not allow the imposition of additional restrictions on the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transportation, carrying, storage, display or use of firearms or ammunition or firearms or ammunition components." - ARS § 26-303(L)

The governor and adjutant general may order the reasonable movement of ammunition stores out of the path of dangerous conditions (ARS § 26-303(M)(1)), but cannot mandate broader firearm storage restrictions.

Minors and Firearm Access - ARS § 13-3109

ARS § 13-3109 addresses the transfer or furnishing of firearms to minors. While Arizona does not mandate locked storage in the home, gun owners should be aware that providing unsupervised access to firearms by minors may trigger liability under this statute. Concealed carry permit holders who live with minors should consult the current text of ARS § 13-3109 for specific obligations.

Judicial Officers - Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 6-113(Q)

Arizona probation and juvenile court officers authorized to carry firearms are subject to specific storage rules under the Code of Judicial Administration:

• Firearms and ammunition must be stored in a designated, safe, and locked place not accessible to unauthorized persons when not being carried (§ 6-113(Q)(2)).
• Firearms may not be kept in the office overnight unless secured in a department-approved storage unit (§ 6-113(Q)(2)(a)).
• Firearms may not be stored overnight in any vehicle (§ 6-113(Q)(2)(b)).
• Firearms must be kept in a secure place not accessible to other individuals, particularly children (§ 6-113(Q)(2)(c)).
• On-duty armed officers not wanting to carry into a residence or public building may temporarily store the firearm in a locked automobile trunk or glove compartment, ensuring the vehicle is locked and the placement is not observed by the public (§ 6-113(Q)(2)(d)).
• Chief probation officers may approve alternative arrangements such as secure lock boxes (§ 6-113(Q)(2)(d)(3)).

These requirements apply only to judicial branch officers, not to the general public or concealed carry permit holders.

Federal Requirements for Licensed Dealers

Under 18 U.S.C. § 923(d) and 27 CFR §§ 478.73, 478.104, Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) in Arizona must certify that secure gun storage or safety devices will be available at any location where firearms are sold to non-licensees. These devices must be compatible with the firearms offered for sale. Failure to comply may result in license revocation. This requirement applies to dealers, not individual gun owners or concealed carry permit holders.

The ATF also publishes Safety and Security for Firearm Owners (ATF P 5300.22), which provides voluntary recommendations for safe firearms handling and storage to protect against theft, loss, or misuse.

Summary

Best Practices

Although Arizona does not mandate specific storage for concealed carry permit holders, responsible storage is strongly recommended:

• Use a locked safe or gun lock, especially in households with minors or prohibited persons.
• When leaving a firearm in a vehicle, store it in a locked trunk or compartment out of sight, consistent with the standard set for property owners and employers under ARS § 12-781.
• Maintain a personal firearms record (ATF P 3312.8) to facilitate reporting in case of theft or loss.

This section reflects Arizona law as of April 2026. Firearm laws are subject to change through legislation and court decisions. Consult current Arizona Revised Statutes and an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.

Arizona Use of Force Laws

The Headline

Arizona's use-of-force framework lives in Title 13, Chapter 4 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S. 13-401 through 13-421). Arizona is a stand-your-ground state: A.R.S. 13-405(B) and A.R.S. 13-411(B) both expressly state there is no duty to retreat before using justified deadly force in a place where the actor has a right to be and is not engaged in an unlawful act. A.R.S. 13-205(A) makes justification a non-affirmative defense: once any evidence of justification is presented, the State must disprove justification beyond a reasonable doubt.

This section summarizes the justification statutes that matter most for concealed-carry permit holders. The Castle Doctrine specifics (residential structures, occupied vehicles, presumptions) are covered in the Castle Doctrine section.

The Statutory Map

The Chapter 4 (Justification) framework, with the operative section for each rule:

• A.R.S. 13-401 - When the justification defense is unavailable.
• A.R.S. 13-403 - Justifiable use of physical force in specific roles (parent, jailer, person maintaining order, medical responder).
• A.R.S. 13-404 - Self-defense (physical force).
• A.R.S. 13-405 - Self-defense (deadly physical force).
• A.R.S. 13-406 - Defense of a third person.
• A.R.S. 13-407 - Use of physical force in defense of premises.
• A.R.S. 13-408 - Use of physical force in defense of property.
• A.R.S. 13-411 - Use of force in crime prevention.
• A.R.S. 13-413 - No civil liability for justified conduct.
• A.R.S. 13-415 - Justification; domestic violence (state-of-mind modifier).
• A.R.S. 13-418 - Use of force in defense of residential structure or occupied vehicles.
• A.R.S. 13-419 - Presumptions in defense of residential structure or occupied vehicle.
• A.R.S. 13-421 - Defensive display of a firearm.
• A.R.S. 13-205 - Burden of proof (the State disproves justification beyond a reasonable doubt).

Self-Defense (A.R.S. 13-404 and 13-405)

Non-deadly force. Under A.R.S. 13-404(A), a person is justified in threatening or using physical force against another "when and to the extent a reasonable person would believe that physical force is immediately necessary to protect himself against the other's use or attempted use of unlawful physical force."

A.R.S. 13-404(B) lists three carve-outs where the threat or use of physical force is not justified:

1. In response to verbal provocation alone.
2. To resist an arrest the person knows or should know is being made by a peace officer, whether the arrest is lawful or unlawful, unless the officer's force exceeds what the law allows.
3. If the actor provoked the other's use of unlawful force, unless the actor withdraws (or clearly communicates intent to withdraw) and the other nevertheless continues to use unlawful force.

Deadly force. A.R.S. 13-405(A) authorizes deadly physical force if (1) the actor would be justified under A.R.S. 13-404 in using non-deadly force, and (2) a reasonable person would believe deadly physical force is immediately necessary to protect against the other's use or attempted use of unlawful deadly physical force.

No duty to retreat. A.R.S. 13-405(B) codifies stand-your-ground for self-defense: "A person has no duty to retreat before threatening or using deadly physical force pursuant to this section if the person is in a place where the person may legally be and is not engaged in an unlawful act."

Defense of Third Persons (A.R.S. 13-406)

A.R.S. 13-406 authorizes the use of physical force or deadly physical force to defend a third person whenever, under the circumstances as a reasonable person would believe them to be, the actor would be justified under A.R.S. 13-404 or 13-405 in using that level of force to protect himself against the unlawful force the actor reasonably believes threatens the third person. The reasonable-person lens is applied to the defender's perception of the third party's situation.

Defense of Premises and Property (A.R.S. 13-407 and 13-408)

Premises. A.R.S. 13-407(A) lets a person in lawful possession or control of premises threaten deadly physical force, or threaten or use physical force, against another when and to the extent a reasonable person would believe it immediately necessary to prevent or terminate a criminal trespass. Under A.R.S. 13-407(B), actual use of deadly physical force in defense of premises is permitted only as also authorized under A.R.S. 13-405 (self-defense) or 13-406 (defense of others). A.R.S. 13-407(C) defines "premises" as real property and any structure adapted for human residence or lodging.

Property. A.R.S. 13-408 justifies physical force against another when and to the extent a reasonable person would believe it necessary to prevent the other's theft or criminal damage to tangible movable property in the actor's possession or control. Deadly physical force in defense of property is authorized only as further provided in A.R.S. 13-405, 13-406, and 13-411.

Crime Prevention (A.R.S. 13-411)

A.R.S. 13-411 is one of Arizona's most defender-protective statutes. Subsection A authorizes physical force or deadly physical force to prevent the commission of an enumerated list of violent felonies, including:

• Arson of an occupied structure (A.R.S. 13-1704)
• Burglary in the second or first degree (A.R.S. 13-1507 or 13-1508)
• Kidnapping (A.R.S. 13-1304)
• Manslaughter (A.R.S. 13-1103)
• Second or first degree murder (A.R.S. 13-1104 or 13-1105)
• Sexual conduct with a minor (A.R.S. 13-1405)
• Sexual assault (A.R.S. 13-1406)
• Child molestation (A.R.S. 13-1410)
• Armed robbery (A.R.S. 13-1904)
• Aggravated assault under A.R.S. 13-1204(A)(1) and (2)

A.R.S. 13-411(B) confirms there is no duty to retreat before using force justified by subsection A. Subsection C creates a presumption that the actor is acting reasonably if acting to prevent what the actor reasonably believes is the imminent or actual commission of one of the listed offenses. Subsection D extends the rule to "a person's home, residence, place of business, land the person owns or leases, conveyance of any kind, or any other place in this state where a person has a right to be."

In practice A.R.S. 13-411 expands stand-your-ground beyond pure self-defense into the prevention-of-violent-felony space, with a statutory presumption that takes the reasonableness question off the table at the front end.

Defensive Display of a Firearm (A.R.S. 13-421)

Arizona separately authorizes the defensive display of a firearm as a justified, lesser response. Under A.R.S. 13-421(A), defensive display is justified "when and to the extent a reasonable person would believe that physical force is immediately necessary to protect himself against the use or attempted use of unlawful physical force or deadly physical force." A.R.S. 13-421(D) defines "defensive display" to include verbally informing another person that the actor possesses or has available a firearm, and exposing or displaying a firearm in a manner a reasonable person would understand was meant to protect against unlawful force.

A.R.S. 13-421(B) disqualifies the defense for an actor who intentionally provoked the other person's use of unlawful force, or who uses a firearm in the commission of a serious offense (A.R.S. 13-706) or violent crime (A.R.S. 13-901.03). A.R.S. 13-421(C) makes clear that a person otherwise justified in the use or threatened use of physical force is not required to attempt a defensive display first. This matters operationally: Arizona does not impose a "must brandish before you shoot" tier.

Domestic Violence Modifier (A.R.S. 13-415)

A.R.S. 13-415 modifies the reasonableness analysis in A.R.S. 13-404, 13-405, and 13-406 when the defender has been a victim of prior domestic violence by the same person. The "reasonable person" benchmark is recalibrated "from the perspective of a reasonable person who has been a victim of those past acts of domestic violence" (where "domestic violence" is defined by A.R.S. 13-3601(A)). This is an evidentiary lens that helps defenders with documented prior victimization show why they perceived imminent danger sooner than a non-victim would.

Burden of Proof (A.R.S. 13-205)

A.R.S. 13-205(A) is the linchpin of Arizona's defender-friendly trial posture. Affirmative defenses generally require the defendant to prove the defense by a preponderance of the evidence. Chapter 4 justification defenses are excluded: "Justification defenses under chapter 4 of this title are not affirmative defenses." The statute then provides: "If evidence of justification pursuant to chapter 4 of this title is presented by the defendant, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act with justification."

In trial terms: once any evidence of justification is in front of the jury, the prosecution must disprove justification at the highest evidentiary standard. This is materially more protective than the preponderance standard that applies to most affirmative defenses.

Civil Immunity (A.R.S. 13-413)

A.R.S. 13-413 provides: "No person in this state shall be subject to civil liability for engaging in conduct otherwise justified pursuant to the provisions of this chapter." A successful Chapter 4 justification defense thus carries through to the civil docket as well. Arizona does not impose a separate "objectively reasonable" civil test on top of the criminal justification finding.

Operational Summary for Concealed-Carry Holders

• Arizona is stand-your-ground for both self-defense (A.R.S. 13-405(B)) and prevention of enumerated violent felonies (A.R.S. 13-411(B)).
• Once you present any evidence of justification, the State must disprove it beyond a reasonable doubt (A.R.S. 13-205(A)).
• Defensive display is its own justification under A.R.S. 13-421 and is not a required precondition to using force.
• Civil immunity flows automatically from a Chapter 4 justification (A.R.S. 13-413).
• The justification framework applies to everyone lawfully present in Arizona, permit or no permit. The permit (under A.R.S. 13-3112) controls where you may carry a concealed handgun, not whether your defensive use of force is justified.

This summary is informational and is not legal advice. Use-of-force prosecutions turn on facts that are difficult to evaluate in advance. Consult an Arizona attorney for fact-specific questions.

<!-- federal-context-block:added-2026-05-20 -->

Federal context

N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen (2022) and United States v. Rahimi (2024). Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022), established the historical-tradition test for Second Amendment claims. Rahimi, 602 U.S. ___ (2024), then applied Bruen to uphold the federal domestic-violence-restraining-order firearm prohibition at 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), confirming that not every firearm disability fails Bruen's test. Practitioners advising on use of force or firearm-disability questions should be familiar with both cases.

Arizona Castle Doctrine & Stand Your Ground Laws

Overview

Arizona has robust Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground protections codified in Title 13, Chapter 4 (Justification) of the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS). Arizona law imposes no duty to retreat before using force, including deadly force, in self-defense - whether inside the home, in a vehicle, or in any public place where the person has a legal right to be.

Arizona's Castle Doctrine provisions (ARS §§ 13-418 and 13-419) were enacted in 2006 as part of Laws 2006, Chapter 199, during the 47th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session. The legislation passed the Arizona Senate 29-0-1 on March 6, 2006 and was signed into law on April 24, 2006. The Stand Your Ground provisions were further strengthened in 2010 with amendments to ARS § 13-405(B) explicitly codifying the no-duty-to-retreat standard in all self-defense situations.

Burden of Proof - Favorable to Defendants

Under ARS § 13-205, justification defenses in Arizona are not affirmative defenses. Once a defendant presents any evidence of justification, the burden shifts to the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act with justification. This is significantly more protective than the standard in many other states, where the defendant must prove justification by a preponderance of the evidence.

Key Statutes

Self-Defense - ARS § 13-404

A person is justified in threatening or using physical force against another when and to the degree a reasonable person would believe that physical force is immediately necessary to protect against another's use or attempted use of unlawful physical force.

Limitations (§ 13-404(B)):

• Verbal provocation alone does not justify physical force
• A person may not use force to resist a lawful arrest, even if the arrest is later determined unlawful - unless the officer uses excessive force beyond what is permitted by law
• If a person provoked the other's use of unlawful force, self-defense is only available if the person (a) has withdrawn from the encounter and communicated that withdrawal, or (b) reasonably believes they cannot safely withdraw and the other party continues using unlawful force

Deadly Physical Force - ARS § 13-405

A person may use deadly physical force when:

1. They would be justified in using physical force under § 13-404, AND
2. A reasonable person would believe that deadly physical force is immediately necessary to protect against the other's use or attempted use of unlawful deadly physical force

Stand Your Ground (§ 13-405(B)): "A person has no duty to retreat before threatening or using deadly physical force pursuant to this section if the person is in a place where the person may legally be and is not engaged in an unlawful act."

Defense of a Third Person - ARS § 13-406

A person may use physical force or deadly force to protect a third person when, under the circumstances as a reasonable person would believe them to be, such person would be justified under § 13-404 or § 13-405 in using that level of force for self-defense.

Defense of Premises - ARS § 13-407

A person in lawful possession of premises may threaten or use physical force when a reasonable person would believe it immediately necessary to prevent or terminate criminal trespass. "Premises" is broadly defined to include real property and all structures - permanent or temporary, occupied or vacant. Deadly force in defense of premises requires meeting the standards of §§ 13-405 or 13-406.

Defense of Property - ARS § 13-408

A person may use physical force when necessary to prevent what a reasonable person would believe is an attempt or commission of theft or criminal damage involving tangible movable property in their possession. Deadly force for property defense alone requires meeting §§ 13-405, 13-406, or 13-411 standards.

Castle Doctrine

Use of Force in Defense of Residential Structure or Occupied Vehicle - ARS § 13-418

Section A - A person is justified in threatening or using physical force or deadly physical force against another if all of the following apply:

1. The person reasonably believes themselves or another person to be in imminent peril of death or serious physical injury
2. The person against whom force is used was unlawfully or forcefully entering, or had unlawfully or forcefully entered, a residential structure or occupied vehicle

Section B - "There is no duty to retreat before threatening or using physical force or deadly physical force" under this section.

Definitions (§ 13-418(C)):

• "Residential structure" (per ARS § 13-1501): Any structure, movable or immovable, permanent or temporary, that is adapted for both human residence and lodging, whether occupied or not. This includes houses, apartments, mobile homes, RVs used as dwellings, hotel rooms, and similar structures.
• "Vehicle": A conveyance of any kind, whether or not motorized, that is designed to transport persons or property.

Presumptions - ARS § 13-419

This statute creates powerful legal presumptions favoring the defender:

1. Presumption of reasonable belief: A person is presumed to reasonably believe that force (including deadly force) is immediately necessary if the person against whom force is used is unlawfully or forcefully entering or has entered the defender's residential structure or occupied vehicle
2. Presumption of imminent threat: An unlawful or forceful entrant into a residential structure or occupied vehicle is presumed to pose an imminent threat of unlawful deadly harm

These presumptions effectively mean the defender does not need to independently prove the intruder intended to cause harm - the unlawful entry itself creates the legal presumption.

Exceptions - The presumptions do NOT apply when:

• The person against whom force was used has a legal right to be in the dwelling, residence, or vehicle (e.g., co-owner, lawful resident, invited guest) - unless an order of protection or injunction against harassment has been filed against that person
• The person against whom force was used has legal custody of a child being removed from the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle
• The person using force is engaged in unlawful activity or is using the dwelling, residence, or vehicle to further an unlawful activity
• The person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer entering or attempting to enter in the performance of official duties

Stand Your Ground

Arizona is a full Stand Your Ground state. The no-duty-to-retreat principle is codified in three separate statutes:

The Stand Your Ground protection applies anywhere in the state where a person has a legal right to be - including public streets, businesses, parks, and other locations - not just inside the home.

Use of Force in Crime Prevention - ARS § 13-411

A person may use physical force or deadly force when and to the degree a reasonable person would believe it necessary to prevent the commission of any of the following:

• Arson of an occupied structure
• Burglary in the first or second degree
• Kidnapping
• Manslaughter
• First or second degree murder
• Sexual conduct with a minor
• Sexual assault
• Child molestation
• Armed robbery
• Aggravated assault (§ 13-1204(A) or (B))

Presumption of reasonableness (§ 13-411(C)): A person is presumed to be acting reasonably when using force to prevent the above crimes.

Broad applicability (§ 13-411(D)): This section applies in a person's home, residence, place of business, land they own or lease, conveyance of any kind, or any other place in this state where a person has a right to be.

Defensive Display of a Firearm - ARS § 13-421

Arizona specifically recognizes the justified defensive display of a firearm as a separate justification defense - a provision particularly relevant to concealed carry holders.

When justified (§ 13-421(A)): When and to the extent a reasonable person would believe that physical force is immediately necessary to protect against another's use or attempted use of unlawful physical force or deadly physical force.

What constitutes a "defensive display" (§ 13-421(D)):

1. Verbally informing another person that you possess or have available a firearm
2. Exposing or displaying a firearm in a manner that a reasonable person would understand was meant to protect against another's use or attempted use of unlawful physical force or deadly physical force
3. Placing a hand on a firearm while it is contained in a pocket, purse, or other means of containment or concealment

Important limitations (§ 13-421(B)): This justification does not apply if the person intentionally provoked another into using force, or uses the firearm while committing a serious or violent offense.

No prerequisite (§ 13-421(C)): A person is not required to display a firearm before using justified physical force. The defensive display is an option, not a required escalation step.

Civil Protections

No Civil Liability - ARS § 13-413

"No person in this state shall be subject to civil liability for engaging in conduct otherwise justified pursuant to the provisions of this chapter."

This provision provides complete civil immunity when the use of force is determined to be legally justified under any provision of Chapter 4.

Mandatory Attorney Fee Recovery - ARS § 13-420

If a person who used justified force prevails in any civil action arising from that conduct, the court shall award:

• Reasonable attorney fees
• Court costs
• Compensation for lost income
• All expenses incurred in the defense

The use of "shall" (mandatory, not discretionary) makes Arizona's fee-shifting provision particularly strong compared to states with permissive fee recovery.

Special Provisions

Domestic Violence Context - ARS § 13-415

When a defendant has experienced past acts of domestic violence (as defined in ARS § 13-3601(A)) by the victim, courts must evaluate the defendant's claim of self-defense from the perspective of a reasonable person who has been a victim of those past acts of domestic violence. This modifies the standard reasonable-person test to account for the psychological impact of prior abuse.

Limitation on Justification - ARS § 13-401

Justification defenses are unavailable if the person, while otherwise justified, recklessly injures or kills an innocent third person. The person may still face prosecution for the harm to the bystander even if the use of force against the aggressor was justified.

Key Principles for Concealed Carry Permit Holders

1. No Duty to Retreat: You are never required to retreat before using force in self-defense, provided you are in a place where you may legally be and are not engaged in unlawful activity (§§ 13-405(B), 13-411(B), 13-418(B)).

2. Castle Doctrine Presumptions: If someone unlawfully or forcefully enters your home or occupied vehicle, Arizona law presumes you acted reasonably in using force - the prosecution must overcome this presumption beyond a reasonable doubt (§ 13-419).

3. Defensive Display Option: You may legally warn, display, or place your hand on a concealed firearm as a de-escalation measure without losing justification protections (§ 13-421). This is not required before using force.

4. Burden on the State: Once you present any evidence of justification, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you did not act with justification (§ 13-205). You do not bear the burden of proving your defense.

5. Full Civil Immunity: Justified use of force provides complete civil immunity (§ 13-413), plus mandatory recovery of attorney fees, lost income, and all defense costs if you prevail in a civil suit (§ 13-420).

6. Broad Crime Prevention Authority: You may use force, including deadly force, to prevent serious felonies like armed robbery, kidnapping, or sexual assault - with a legal presumption of reasonableness - anywhere you have a right to be (§ 13-411).

7. Proportionality Required: Despite Arizona's strong self-defense protections, the force used must still be proportional to the threat. Deadly force is only justified against the use or attempted use of unlawful deadly force (§ 13-405(A)).

8. Verbal Provocation Is Not Enough: You cannot claim self-defense if you responded with physical force to verbal provocation alone (§ 13-404(B)(1)).

9. Initial Aggressor Limitation: If you provoked the confrontation, self-defense is only available if you clearly withdrew and communicated that withdrawal (§ 13-404(B)(3)).

Legislative History

• 2006 (Laws 2006, Ch. 199): Arizona enacted its Castle Doctrine provisions (§§ 13-418 and 13-419), establishing the residential structure/occupied vehicle defense and legal presumptions. The legislation passed the Senate 29-0-1 (March 6, 2006) during the 47th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session. The same legislative session also considered SCR 1001, a proposed constitutional amendment to enshrine these protections in the Arizona Constitution.
• 2010: Stand Your Ground provisions strengthened with amendments codifying the no-duty-to-retreat standard in § 13-405(B) for general self-defense situations.
• Arizona is consistently classified as a Stand Your Ground state in legal and academic literature, having enacted its statutory SYG provisions between 2006 and 2010.

Important Notes

• All statutes referenced in this document have been verified against the official Arizona Revised Statutes at azleg.gov, including §§ 13-205, 13-401, 13-404, 13-405, 13-406, 13-407, 13-408, 13-411, 13-413, 13-415, 13-418, 13-419, 13-420, and 13-421.
• Arizona law defines "deadly physical force" as force used under circumstances that would create a substantial risk of causing death or serious physical injury (ARS § 13-105).
• Arizona is a constitutional carry state (no permit required to carry concealed) since 2010 (ARS § 13-3112), though concealed carry permits remain available and provide additional reciprocity benefits.
• This information is for legal reference purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified Arizona attorney for guidance on specific situations.

Duty to Inform Law Enforcement - Arizona

Overview

Arizona does not impose a general duty to inform law enforcement officers that you are carrying a concealed weapon during routine encounters. However, there are specific, limited circumstances where a permit holder has obligations.

Note: The primary statute governing concealed carry permits in Arizona is A.R.S. § 13-3112. The full text of that statute was not available in the source material reviewed for this article. The information below is based on commonly cited provisions of that statute and should be independently verified against the current text of the law.

Permit Holders in Licensed Establishments (A.R.S. § 13-3112)

Under A.R.S. § 13-3112(A), a concealed carry permit holder is required to:

1. Carry the permit at all times when in actual possession of a concealed weapon and when required by § 4-229 or § 4-244 to carry the permit (these sections relate to establishments that serve alcohol).
2. Present the permit for inspection to any law enforcement officer on request, but only when the person is in actual possession of the concealed weapon and is required by § 4-229 or § 4-244 to carry the permit.

"The person shall carry the permit at all times when the person is in actual possession of the concealed weapon and is required by section 4-229 or 4-244 to carry the permit. If the person is in actual possession of the concealed weapon and is required by section 4-229 or 4-244 to carry the permit, the person shall present the permit for inspection to any law enforcement officer on request." - A.R.S. § 13-3112(A)

Penalty for Failure to Present Permit When Required

Under A.R.S. § 13-3112(C):

• A permittee who is required by § 4-229 or § 4-244 to carry a permit and fails to present the permit for inspection on request of a law enforcement officer is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $300.
• The Department of Public Safety shall be notified and shall immediately suspend the permit.
• A permittee shall not be convicted of this violation if they produce to the court a legible permit that was issued to them and was valid at the time of the failure to present.

Law Enforcement Access to Permit Records

Under A.R.S. § 13-3112(J):

• The Department of Public Safety maintains a computerized permit record system accessible to criminal justice agencies for confirming permit status.
• A criminal justice agency shall not use this system to inquire whether a person is a concealed weapons permit holder unless the agency has reasonable suspicion to believe the person is carrying a concealed weapon and the person is subject to a lawful criminal investigation, arrest, detention, or investigatory stop.

Temporary Custody of Firearms

Under A.R.S. § 13-3112(D):

• A law enforcement officer shall not confiscate or forfeit a weapon that is otherwise lawfully possessed by a permittee whose permit is suspended under subsection C.
• However, an officer may take temporary custody of a firearm during an investigatory stop of the permittee.

Key Takeaways

• No general duty to volunteer information: Arizona law does not require concealed carry holders (with or without a permit) to proactively inform law enforcement that they are armed during a traffic stop or other encounter.
• Duty to present permit on request applies only in the limited context of carrying in establishments covered by §§ 4-229 and 4-244 (alcohol-serving establishments).
• Failure to present when required is a civil penalty (not criminal), capped at $300, and is a dismissible offense if a valid permit is later produced in court.

Carrying Under the Influence - Arizona

Arizona does not have a general statute in Title 13 (Criminal Code) that broadly prohibits carrying a firearm while intoxicated in public. Instead, Arizona regulates the intersection of firearms and alcohol primarily through Title 4 (Alcoholic Beverages), focusing on conduct at licensed alcohol-serving establishments. The key statutes are A.R.S. § 4-244(31), A.R.S. § 4-244(29), and A.R.S. § 4-229.

Prohibition on Consuming Alcohol While Armed on Licensed Premises

A.R.S. § 4-244(31) makes it unlawful:

"For any person in possession of a firearm while on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer to consume spirituous liquor."

This is an absolute prohibition - if you are carrying a firearm on the premises of a bar, restaurant, or any establishment with an on-sale liquor license, you may not consume any alcohol, regardless of whether you hold a concealed weapons permit (CWP). The only exception is for undercover peace officers on assignment to investigate the licensed establishment.

"Spirituous liquor" is defined broadly under Arizona law to include all alcoholic beverages above 0.5% ABV, including beer, wine, and distilled spirits.

Penalty: A violation of § 4-244(31) is a Class 3 misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 4-246(C)), punishable by up to 30 days in jail (A.R.S. § 13-707) and a fine of up to $500 (A.R.S. § 13-802).

Firearms Possession on Licensed Premises - Permit vs. Permitless Carry

A.R.S. § 4-244(29) establishes the general rule that it is unlawful for a person to possess a firearm on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer. However, this statute carves out critical exceptions:

• Peace officers (on or off duty) and retired peace officers with firearms proficiency certificates (A.R.S. § 13-3112(T))
• Members of a sheriff's volunteer posse (on duty, with approved firearms training)
• Concealed weapons permit holders carrying under A.R.S. § 4-229 (see below)
• Persons seeking emergency aid for a limited time, provided they do not buy, receive, consume, or possess alcohol

Without a permit, a person carrying under Arizona's permitless (constitutional) carry provisions cannot legally carry a firearm into any establishment that serves alcohol, whether or not a "no firearms" sign is posted. This is one of the most significant practical differences between permitted and permitless carry in Arizona.

Concealed Carry in Alcohol-Serving Establishments (A.R.S. § 4-229)

A.R.S. § 4-229 allows a person with a valid concealed weapons permit (issued under A.R.S. § 13-3112) to carry a concealed handgun on the premises of an on-sale retailer, unless the licensee has posted a compliant prohibition sign.

Sign Posting Requirements

The prohibition sign must meet all of the following specifications:

• Posted in a conspicuous location accessible to the general public and immediately adjacent to the liquor license
• Include a pictogram depicting a firearm within a red circle with a diagonal red line
• Display the text: "No firearms allowed pursuant to A.R.S. section 4-229"

The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control provides compliant signs to licensees at no cost.

Affirmative Defenses to a § 4-229 Violation

A person charged with violating a posted sign may raise an affirmative defense if:

• The person was not informed of the posted notice
• The sign had fallen down or was otherwise not visible
• The person was not an Arizona resident (and thus unfamiliar with the posting requirements)
• The sign was posted within the prior 30 days

Limited Exceptions

Even when a sign is posted, an armed person may briefly enter the premises for the specific purpose of:

1. Seeking emergency aid
2. Determining whether a prohibition sign has been posted

Penalty: A violation of § 4-229(B) (carrying past a properly posted sign) is a Class 3 misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 4-246(C)), carrying the same penalties as § 4-244(31) - up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Licensee Obligations (A.R.S. § 4-244(30))

Licensees (bar/restaurant owners) also have obligations under § 4-244(30):

• A licensee or employee may not knowingly permit a person unlawfully possessing a firearm to remain on the premises or be served alcohol
• It is an affirmative defense if the licensee or employee requested peace officer assistance to remove the armed person

No General Public Intoxication + Firearms Statute

Notably, Arizona's criminal code (A.R.S. § 13-3102, Misconduct Involving Weapons) does not contain a provision specifically prohibiting the carrying or possession of a firearm while intoxicated in general public settings (i.e., outside of licensed alcohol-serving premises). This means:

• There is no Arizona state-level equivalent of statutes found in some other states that make it a crime to carry a firearm while having a BAC above a certain threshold
• The alcohol-firearms restrictions are location-specific - they apply on the licensed premises of on-sale retailers, not in all public places
• However, a person who discharges a firearm while intoxicated could face charges under other statutes, such as endangerment (A.R.S. § 13-1201), reckless discharge (A.R.S. § 13-3107), or negligent homicide (A.R.S. § 13-1102) depending on the circumstances

State Preemption of Local Regulations (A.R.S. § 13-3108)

Arizona has strong state preemption of local firearms regulation:

"A political subdivision of this state shall not enact any ordinance, rule or tax relating to the transportation, possession, carrying, sale or use of firearms or ammunition."

This means cities and counties cannot impose additional restrictions on carrying firearms while intoxicated beyond what state law provides. In 2013, the Arizona Attorney General addressed this in Opinion I13-010, analyzing whether Tucson Ordinance 11080 - which authorized law enforcement to request blood or breath tests from persons who negligently discharged a firearm - was preempted by § 13-3108. The AG opinion confirmed the Legislature's intent to maintain uniform firearms regulation statewide.

Federal Considerations

While Arizona lacks a general intoxication-firearms statute, federal law imposes additional restrictions:

• 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) prohibits any person who is "an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance" from possessing firearms or ammunition. This is a federal felony, not an intoxication-at-the-moment standard, but rather a habitual-use prohibition.
• Arizona's legalization of recreational marijuana does not change the federal prohibition - marijuana users remain federally prohibited persons regardless of state law.

Pending Legislation (2026 Session)

SB 1012 (prefiled December 9, 2025, for the 57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session) proposes amendments to A.R.S. § 4-229 regarding concealed weapons notice and posting requirements at alcohol-serving establishments. As of April 2026, the bill's full text and current status should be verified at the Arizona Legislature website (azleg.gov).

Summary Table

Note: Class 3 misdemeanor penalties include up to 30 days in jail (A.R.S. § 13-707) and a fine of up to $500 (A.R.S. § 13-802). Additional surcharges may apply.

---

This summary reflects Arizona law as of April 2026. Statutes referenced: A.R.S. §§ 4-229, 4-244(30)-(31), 4-246(C), 13-707, 13-802, 13-3102, 13-3108. This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified Arizona attorney for guidance on specific situations.

Arizona Weapon Restrictions for Concealed Carry

Prohibited Weapons (A.R.S. § 13-3101(A)(8))

Arizona law defines the following as prohibited weapons:

• (i) Bombs, grenades, rockets (with a propellant charge of more than four ounces), or mines that are explosive, incendiary, or poison gas
• (ii) Silencers/suppressors - any device designed, made, or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm
• (iii) Fully automatic firearms - any firearm capable of shooting more than one shot automatically, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger
• (iv) Short-barreled rifles and shotguns - a rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches, a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches, or any firearm made from a rifle or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches
• (v) Molotov cocktails - breakable containers with flammable liquid (flash point of 150°F or less) with a wick or similar ignition device
• (vi) Chemical/explosive devices - chemicals or combinations of chemicals (including dry ice) possessed or manufactured to generate gas causing mechanical failure, rupture, explosion, or detonation
• (vii) Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) - devices incorporating explosives or destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals designed to destroy, disfigure, terrify, or harass
• (viii) Combination of parts or materials designed and intended for use in making or converting a device into items listed in categories (i), (v), or (vii) above (i.e., bombs/grenades/rockets/mines, Molotov cocktails, or improvised explosive devices)

Important Exception: Items listed as prohibited weapons in categories (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) above do not include any firearms or devices that are possessed, manufactured, or transferred in compliance with federal law (A.R.S. § 13-3101(B)). This means NFA-regulated items (suppressors, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, machine guns) are lawful if properly registered under federal law.

Prohibited Locations for Firearms

Regardless of whether a person possesses a CCW permit, firearms are prohibited in the following locations (with some exceptions for peace officers):

1. Polling places on election day
2. Nuclear power plants or hydroelectric generating stations
3. Military installations
4. Indian reservations
5. Federal buildings and courthouses
6. Airports - only the secured area of an airport as defined in the TSA-approved airport security program; general aviation areas outside the security identification display area or sterile area, and lawful transportation under state and federal law, are excepted (A.R.S. 13-3119(A), (B)(4)-(5); class 1 misdemeanor)
7. Correctional facilities
8. National parks - unless permitted under state law
9. Game preserves

Establishments Serving Alcohol

• Individuals may be prohibited from possessing firearms on the premises of a business that serves alcohol if indicated by a sign that meets statutory requirements
• If such an establishment allows firearms on its premises, individuals in possession of a firearm must have a CCW permit and are prohibited from consuming alcohol while carrying
• A person who lawfully carries a concealed weapon on the premises of an on-sale retailer of spirituous liquor is required to present the CCW permit to a law enforcement officer for inspection upon request; failure to do so may result in a civil penalty of up to $300

Public Buildings and Events

• Firearms are prohibited in public buildings and events if the owner or sponsor requests that a person carrying a weapon place the weapon in storage

School Grounds

Firearms are not allowed on school grounds, with the following exceptions:

1. A firearm carried by an adult in a vehicle, provided the firearm is not loaded and, if the adult leaves the vehicle, the vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible from the outside
2. A firearm used in a program approved by the school
3. A firearm carried by a person possessing a certificate of firearms proficiency who is authorized under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act to carry a concealed firearm

Private Property

• The owner of a private establishment may request a person carrying a firearm to remove the gun from the premises
• A person who refuses to comply may be charged with criminal trespassing

Law Enforcement Interactions

• A law enforcement officer may take temporary custody of a firearm during an investigatory stop of a possessor

Prohibited Possessors (A.R.S. § 13-3101(A)(7))

The following persons are prohibited from possessing firearms:

1. Persons found to constitute a danger to self or others or to have a persistent or acute disability or grave disability pursuant to court order under A.R.S. § 36-540, whose right to possess a firearm has not been restored pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-925
2. Persons convicted of a felony (within or outside Arizona) or adjudicated delinquent for a felony, whose civil right to possess or carry a firearm has not been restored
3. Persons currently serving a term of imprisonment in any correctional or detention facility
4. Persons currently serving a term of probation (for a domestic violence offense under A.R.S. § 13-3601 or a felony), parole, community supervision, work furlough, home arrest, or release on any other basis, including under the interstate compact
5. Undocumented aliens or nonimmigrant aliens traveling in Arizona for business or pleasure or studying while maintaining a foreign residence abroad - with exceptions for those with valid hunting licenses, competitive shooting participants, certain diplomats, designated foreign officials, and persons with a waiver from the U.S. Attorney General
6. Persons found incompetent pursuant to Rule 11, Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure, who have not subsequently been found competent
7. Persons found guilty except insane

Fire Restriction Impacts on Firearm Discharge

Under Stage 2 fire restrictions on Arizona state lands (implemented by the Department of Forestry and Fire Management):

• Discharging a firearm is prohibited except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations
• Target shooting is NEVER allowed at any time of the year on State Trust Lands

Key Statutory References

• A.R.S. § 13-3101 - Definitions (deadly weapon, firearm, prohibited possessor, prohibited weapon)
• A.R.S. § 13-3112 - Concealed carry permit requirements and regulations
• A.R.S. § 13-3601 - Domestic violence offenses
• A.R.S. § 13-925 - Restoration of right to possess firearms
• A.R.S. § 36-540 - Court-ordered mental health findings

<!-- federal-context-block:added-2026-05-20 -->

Federal context

Lautenberg Amendment - 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (MCDV) - any misdemeanor that has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed against a current or former spouse, parent, guardian, person with a child in common, cohabitant, or similarly situated person - triggers a federal LIFETIME firearm-possession bar that is independent of state law. The Lautenberg disability applies even when the state-court conviction did not involve a firearm and even when no firearm-related penalty was imposed at sentencing. United States v. Rahimi (2024) confirmed the constitutionality of related federal § 922(g)(8) DV-restraining-order disabilities under the Bruen historical-tradition test.

NFA Items in Arizona

The Headline

Arizona's "prohibited weapons" statute, A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(8), names the same hardware federal law treats as NFA items: short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors, machine guns, certain incendiary and gas devices, bombs, grenades, and improvised explosive devices. The state then carves out a complete federal-compliance exemption at A.R.S. 13-3101(B): when those items are "possessed, manufactured or transferred in compliance with federal law," they are not "prohibited weapons" under Arizona law. The practical result is that Arizona is one of the most permissive NFA jurisdictions: the federal NFA process governs and Arizona piggybacks on it without adding a separate state registration or permit layer.

Possession or manufacture of a "prohibited weapon" outside the federal-compliance exemption is criminalized by A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(3).

The Statutory Anchors

• A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(8): defines "prohibited weapon" to include the federal NFA categories.
• A.R.S. 13-3101(B): exempts those items when possessed, manufactured, or transferred in compliance with federal law.
• A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(3): criminalizes manufacturing, possessing, transporting, selling, or transferring a prohibited weapon (the dry-ice carve-out at the end of (A)(3) is the only intent-based variation).
• A.R.S. 13-3102(M): classification ladder for misconduct involving weapons; A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(3) violations are class 4 felonies under the standard ladder.
• A.R.S. 13-3108: state preemption of local firearms regulation, which bars cities and counties from layering additional restrictions on NFA items.

The 13-3101(A)(8) List

A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(8)(a) defines "prohibited weapon" to include the following items:

1. A bomb, grenade, or rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, or a mine, that is explosive, incendiary, or poison gas (item (i)).
2. A device designed, made, or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm (item (ii)) - i.e., a suppressor or silencer.
3. A firearm capable of shooting more than one shot automatically, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger (item (iii)) - i.e., a machine gun.
4. A rifle with a barrel length of less than sixteen inches, a shotgun with a barrel length of less than eighteen inches, or a firearm made from a rifle or shotgun that, as modified, has an overall length of less than twenty-six inches (item (iv)) - i.e., short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and Title II configurations.
5. A breakable container holding flammable liquid with a wick or similar device capable of being ignited (item (v)) - i.e., a Molotov-type device.
6. A chemical or combination of chemicals, compounds, or materials (including dry ice) possessed or manufactured to generate a gas causing mechanical failure, rupture, bursting, or detonation (item (vi)).
7. An improvised explosive device (item (vii)).
8. Any combination of parts or materials designed and intended for use in making or converting a device into items (i), (v), or (vii) (item (viii)).

A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(8)(b) excludes from the "prohibited weapon" definition any state-law-compliant fireworks, propellant-actuated devices and industrial tools manufactured for their intended purposes, and devices commercially manufactured primarily for illumination.

The Federal-Compliance Exemption (A.R.S. 13-3101(B))

The single most important provision for NFA owners is A.R.S. 13-3101(B): "The items set forth in subsection A, paragraph 8, subdivision (a), items (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this section do not include any firearms or devices that are possessed, manufactured or transferred in compliance with federal law."

The items the exemption covers are exactly the federally regulated NFA categories most concealed-carry holders ask about:

• (i) - bombs, grenades, rockets, mines (i.e., NFA "destructive devices").
• (ii) - sound suppressors.
• (iii) - machine guns.
• (iv) - short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and reconfigured firearms below the 26-inch overall length threshold.

What "in compliance with federal law" means in practice: registration on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record under 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53 (the NFA), payment of any applicable making or transfer tax, completion of the appropriate ATF form (Form 1 for making, Form 4 for transfer, Form 5 for tax-free government and estate transfers, Form 5320.20 for interstate transportation of certain items), and compliance with the Gun Control Act's restrictions on prohibited possessors at 18 U.S.C. 922(g).

Note that items (v), (vi), (vii), and (viii) of A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(8)(a) - Molotov-type devices, chemical gas devices, improvised explosive devices, and IED parts kits - are not covered by the federal-compliance exemption. Possession of those items remains criminal under Arizona law regardless of any federal registration.

What This Means for Common NFA Items

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Manufacturing, possessing, transporting, selling, or transferring a prohibited weapon outside the federal-compliance exemption is misconduct involving weapons under A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(3). Under the classification ladder at A.R.S. 13-3102(M), an A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(3) violation is a class 4 felony in the default ladder, with elevated treatment when the conduct is tied to certain enumerated offenses or to gang, criminal-syndicate, or racketeering activity (see A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(9), (15), and (16)).

A federally registered NFA item carried or stored outside the federal-compliance envelope (for example, a registered SBR transferred to a non-licensed buyer without the required Form 4 approval) loses the A.R.S. 13-3101(B) exemption and exposes both transferor and transferee to A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(3) liability in addition to the federal NFA violation.

State Preemption (A.R.S. 13-3108)

A.R.S. 13-3108(A) blocks Arizona cities and counties from enacting "any ordinance, rule or tax relating to the transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, acquisition, gift, devise, storage, licensing, registration, discharge or use of firearms or ammunition or any firearm or ammunition components or related accessories." Localities cannot add a permit requirement, a registration requirement, or a ban on NFA items beyond what state law provides. The narrow exceptions in subsections B through G of A.R.S. 13-3108 cover government-property rules, noise regulation, and the like, none of which displace the A.R.S. 13-3101(B) exemption for federally compliant NFA items.

Operational Checklist for Arizona NFA Owners

1. Hold a current, complete copy of every Form 1, Form 4, or Form 5 approval for each NFA item you own. The ATF "approved" stamp is your federal-compliance proof.
2. Keep the tax stamp with the item during transport. Arizona law has no separate state document, but a peace officer or prosecutor evaluating A.R.S. 13-3101(B) will look for the federal paperwork.
3. Use a Form 5320.20 when crossing state lines with an SBR, SBS, machine gun, or destructive device, per 27 C.F.R. 478.28.
4. NFA items remain subject to 18 U.S.C. 922(g) prohibited-person disabilities. A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(7) lists Arizona's parallel prohibited-possessor categories.
5. Local airport, sports venue, and event-organizer rules under A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(10) still apply; A.R.S. 13-3101(B) is a status-of-the-item exemption, not a location-of-carry exemption.

This summary is informational and is not legal advice. NFA enforcement turns on facts and on the ATF's interpretation of federal forms; consult an Arizona attorney and your federal NFA paperwork before relying on the rules above.

<!-- federal-context-block:added-2026-05-20 -->

Federal context

Bump stocks - Garland v. Cargill (2024). In Garland v. Cargill, 602 U.S. ___ (2024), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal regulation classifying bump stocks as machineguns under the National Firearms Act. As a matter of FEDERAL law, bump stocks are no longer NFA-regulated. State law may still independently restrict bump stocks; consult your state's RESTRICTIONS section for any state-level bump-stock prohibition.

P.L. 119-21 NFA tax (2026). Effective January 1, 2026, P.L. 119-21 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025) reduced the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for silencers, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs. Machine guns and destructive devices retain the $200 tax. The federal registration requirements (Form 1 / Form 4, fingerprints, photographs, CLEO notice) remain unchanged.

Red Flag Laws / Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Arizona

The Headline

Arizona has not enacted a red-flag law. No Arizona statute authorizes courts to issue an "extreme risk protection order" (ERPO), a "gun violence restraining order" (GVRO), or a similarly named civil order whose purpose is to temporarily strip a person of firearms based on a finding of risk to self or others. Petitioning frameworks of that kind exist in other states; Arizona is not one of them. The only Arizona civil order that produces a firearm-disability effect is an order of protection issued under Arizona's domestic-violence and related civil-procedure statutes (A.R.S. 13-3601 et seq.), which interacts with federal 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) rather than with a state ERPO regime.

What Arizona Does and Does Not Have

Arizona's firearm-possession disabilities are codified in A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(7), the "prohibited possessor" definition. The seven categories in A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(7) include a person found to constitute a danger to self or others, or to have a persistent, acute, or grave disability, by court order under A.R.S. 36-540, and whose right to possess a firearm has not been restored under A.R.S. 13-925. This is a mental-health-commitment-based disability, not an ERPO. It does not allow a family member, law-enforcement officer, or other petitioner to seek a stand-alone firearm-removal order outside of the civil commitment, criminal conviction, or protective-order frameworks already on the books.

Arizona also recognizes that a person under any order of protection issued under A.R.S. 13-3602 (domestic violence) or A.R.S. 12-1809 (injunction against harassment) may, depending on the order's specific terms and on whether the federal 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) prohibitor attaches, be barred from possessing a firearm during the order's effective period. That federal disability is independent of any Arizona-state ERPO scheme.

No State ERPO Petition Mechanism

Because Arizona has not enacted an ERPO statute, the procedural elements that distinguish red-flag regimes elsewhere are absent in Arizona:

• There is no statutory petitioner class authorized to file a stand-alone firearm-removal petition (no family-member, household-member, or law-enforcement petitioner pathway exists outside the protective-order and civil-commitment statutes).
• There is no ex parte temporary-order mechanism keyed to a risk finding (separate from the civil-commitment process under A.R.S. 36-520 et seq. and the protective-order process under A.R.S. 13-3602 and A.R.S. 12-1809).
• There is no separate hearing on a firearm-only order; the firearm-possession consequences attach as derivative effects of orders issued under other Title 13 and Title 36 procedures.
• There is no Arizona-specific firearm-surrender procedure tied to a risk-based finding outside the protective-order and commitment context.

No State Criminal Penalty for "Violating an ERPO"

Because there is no ERPO statute, Arizona has no parallel state criminal penalty for violating an ERPO. Violation of an order of protection issued under A.R.S. 13-3602 is its own offense under A.R.S. 13-2810 (interfering with judicial proceedings) and A.R.S. 13-2810-adjacent provisions; that is a protective-order penalty, not a red-flag penalty. A person found to possess a firearm while subject to a qualifying domestic-violence restraining order can face federal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8); that, again, is a federal disability rather than a state ERPO consequence.

Legislative History and Outlook

Arizona's legislature has considered red-flag proposals in recent sessions, but no such bill has been enacted. The state's policy posture has been to address risk-based disarmament through (a) civil commitment under Title 36, (b) protective orders under Title 13 Chapter 36, and (c) prohibited-possessor classifications under A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(7), rather than through a free-standing ERPO statute. Operators tracking pending legislation should consult the Arizona Legislature's bill tracker at azleg.gov for any active red-flag or ERPO bill in the current session.

Practical Implications for Concealed-Carry Permit Holders

• An A.R.S. 13-3112 concealed weapons permit is not subject to any Arizona ERPO suspension procedure because none exists.
• A permit holder served with an order of protection under A.R.S. 13-3602 should consult counsel immediately; the order itself, plus the federal 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) overlay, can produce a firearm-possession disability and require surrender even though Arizona has no separate ERPO mechanism.
• A permit holder who is the subject of a civil-commitment proceeding under A.R.S. 36-540 should likewise consult counsel; an adverse finding triggers the A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(7) prohibitor and the federal 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(4) prohibitor.
• Restoration of firearm rights after a mental-health-based disability requires the procedure in A.R.S. 13-925 (petition to the superior court; clear-and-convincing evidence the petitioner is not likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and that restoration is not contrary to the public interest).

This summary is informational and is not legal advice. Consult an Arizona attorney for fact-specific questions about protective orders, civil commitment, or firearm-disability restoration. Always verify current statutes at azleg.gov.

<!-- federal-context-block:added-2026-05-20 -->

Federal context

United States v. Rahimi (2024). In United States v. Rahimi, 602 U.S. ___ (2024), the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal firearm prohibition at 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) for persons subject to a qualifying domestic-violence restraining order, holding the federal disability survives the historical-tradition test of N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022). Rahimi is the controlling SCOTUS authority on the constitutionality of federal firearm disabilities tied to domestic-violence findings; it bears on any state-level red-flag / ERPO analysis to the extent those frameworks borrow federal § 922(g)(8) prohibitor mechanics.

Arizona State Preemption of Firearm Laws

Arizona has one of the strongest state preemption laws in the country regarding firearms regulation. Under A.R.S. § 13-3108, titled "Firearms Regulated by State; State Preemption; Injunction; Civil Penalty; Cause of Action; Violation; Classification; Definition," the Arizona Legislature has broadly prohibited political subdivisions (cities, towns, counties) from enacting local firearm regulations that differ from or exceed state law.

Statutory Framework: A.R.S. § 13-3108

General Prohibition (Subsection A)

A political subdivision of Arizona shall not enact any ordinance, rule, or tax relating to the:

• Transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, acquisition, gift, devise, or storage of firearms or ammunition
• Licensing or registration of firearms or ammunition
• Discharge or use of firearms
• Any firearm or ammunition components or related accessories

This prohibition is deliberately broad - the statute uses the word "relating to," which courts have interpreted expansively to cover even indirect regulations of firearms.

Prohibition on Registration and Record-Keeping (Subsections B & C)

Political subdivisions shall not:

• Require licensing or registration of firearms, ammunition, or related accessories
• Prohibit the ownership, purchase, sale, or transfer of firearms or ammunition
• Maintain any record (permanent or temporary), including lists, logs, or databases, of:
  • Identifying information of persons who leave weapons in temporary storage at public establishments or events
  • Identifying information of persons who own, possess, purchase, sell, or transfer firearms (except during law enforcement investigations)
  • Descriptions or serial numbers of weapons left in temporary storage

Preemption Standard (Subsection D)

A political subdivision shall not enact any rule or ordinance that:

• Relates to firearms and is more prohibitive than state law, OR
• Has a penalty greater than any state law penalty

Critically, any local rule or ordinance that is inconsistent with or more restrictive than state law - whether enacted before or after July 29, 2010 - is null and void.

Firearm Destruction Prohibition (Subsection F)

The state, any agency or political subdivision, and any law enforcement agency shall not facilitate the destruction of a firearm or purchase/acquire a firearm for destruction purposes, except as authorized by A.R.S. §§ 13-3105 or 17-240.

Limited Exceptions (Subsection G)

The preemption law includes narrow exceptions allowing political subdivisions to regulate in the following areas:

1. General sales taxes - Imposing privilege or use taxes on firearm/ammunition sales at the same rate as other tangible personal property
2. Minors' possession - Prohibiting unaccompanied minors from possessing or carrying firearms in public places (with exceptions for minors aged 14-17 engaged in lawful hunting, shooting events, marksmanship practice, agricultural activities, or lawful transportation of unloaded firearms)
3. Commercial zoning - Regulating commercial land, structures, and businesses related to firearms in the same manner as other commercial businesses (but this does not authorize regulating sales/transfers on government property differently than state law, or prohibiting lawful discharge on private non-commercial land)
4. Government employees - Regulating employees or independent contractors acting within the course and scope of their employment (but not their lawful possession in personal vehicles or on personal property, per A.R.S. § 12-781)
5. Parks and preserves - Limiting or prohibiting firearm discharge in parks and preserves, with exceptions for:
   • Lawful self-defense against animal attacks
   • Properly supervised ranges (as defined in A.R.S. § 13-3107)
   • Approved hunting areas
   • Nuisance wildlife control by permit
   • Special permit from the chief law enforcement officer
   • Animal control officer duties

Enforcement Mechanisms (Subsections H-L)

Arizona's preemption law includes robust enforcement provisions:

• Automatic Invalidity (H): Any ordinance, regulation, tax, or rule enacted in violation of § 13-3108 is invalid and subject to a permanent injunction. Good faith reliance on legal counsel is not a defense.
• Civil Penalties Against Subdivisions (I): Courts may assess civil penalties of up to $50,000 against political subdivisions that knowingly and willfully violate the preemption law.
• Personal Liability for Officials (J): Individual officials who knowingly and willfully violate the law while acting in their official capacity may be subject to termination from employment.
• Private Right of Action (K): Any person or organization adversely affected by a violating ordinance may file a civil action for:
  • Declaratory and injunctive relief
  • Actual damages up to $100,000
  • Reasonable attorney fees and costs (mandatory if plaintiff prevails)
• Criminal Classification (L): Violations of ordinances enacted under the parks/preserves exception (Subsection G, paragraph 5) are a class 2 misdemeanor unless the political subdivision designates a lesser classification.

Scope: "Political Subdivision" Defined Broadly (Subsection M)

The term "political subdivision" includes a political subdivision acting in any capacity - whether under police power, in a proprietary capacity, or otherwise. This prevents local governments from circumventing preemption by claiming they are acting as property owners rather than regulators.

Legislative Intent

The Arizona Legislature has made its preemptive intent explicit. When amending § 13-3108(A) in 2000, the Legislature included the following statement of intent:

"It is the intent of the legislature to clarify existing law relating to the state's preemption of firearms regulation in this state. Firearms regulation is of statewide concern. Therefore, the legislature intends to limit the ability of any political subdivision in this state to regulate firearms and ammunition."

• 2000 Ariz. Sess. Laws, ch. 376, § 4

Attorney General Opinion: Preemption of Tucson Ordinances

In Opinion I13-010 (R13-012) (September 25, 2013), Arizona Attorney General Thomas C. Horne concluded that A.R.S. § 13-3108 preempted two City of Tucson ordinances:

• Ordinance 11080 - Permitted officers to request blood/breath tests from suspected negligent firearm discharge. Found to conflict with § 13-3108(A) because it "relates to the discharge or use of firearms," even though it did not grant officers powers beyond existing state law.
• Ordinance 11081 - Required reporting of lost or stolen firearms, with a $100 civil sanction. Found to conflict with both § 13-3108(A) (relating to possession/transfer) and § 13-3108(D) (imposing a penalty greater than state law, since state law imposed no penalty for failure to report).

The Attorney General also found that both ordinances were preempted under field preemption principles, concluding that the Legislature's comprehensive statutory scheme - using broad terms like "relating to" and applying to political subdivisions acting "in any capacity" - demonstrated a clear preemptive policy over the entire field of firearms regulation.

The opinion cited longstanding Arizona precedent that firearm possession and regulation "presents dangers to the public and the police which have 'no reference either to time or place' and which render it a 'matter of state-wide concern.'" - Clayton v. State, 38 Ariz. 135, 148-49 (1931).

Recent Legislative Activity (2025)

In May 2025, the Arizona Legislature passed SB 1705, which would have strengthened preemption enforcement by allowing civil penalties of up to $5,000 against local officials who knowingly pass firearm restrictions in violation of state law. Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed the bill, stating it was unnecessary and would "undermine local control." The existing enforcement mechanisms in § 13-3108(H)-(K) remain in effect.

Unlawful Discharge Within Municipalities: A.R.S. § 13-3107

Separately, A.R.S. § 13-3107 makes it a class 6 felony to discharge a firearm with criminal negligence within the limits of any municipality. Exceptions include:

• Lawful self-defense or defense of others (including against animal attacks)
• Discharge on a properly supervised range
• Lawful hunting during an open season (though cities/towns/counties may restrict discharge within one-quarter mile of an occupied structure without the owner's consent)
• Nuisance wildlife control by permit
• Special permit from the municipal chief of police
• Use of blanks
• Discharge more than one mile from any occupied structure
• Animal control officer duties

A "properly supervised range" includes ranges operated by NRA-affiliated clubs, nationally recognized shooting organizations, public/private schools, or ranges approved by federal, state, or local agencies.

Firearm Restrictions on State Trust Lands

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management imposes fire-related restrictions that may affect firearm use on state lands:

• Stage 2 Fire Restrictions prohibit discharging a firearm on state lands except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations
• Target shooting is NEVER allowed at any time of the year on State Trust Lands
• Fireworks are also never permitted on State Trust Lands

For current fire restriction status, visit dffm.az.gov/fire-restrictions or WildlandFire.az.gov.

Key Takeaways for Concealed Carry Permit Holders

• Arizona's preemption law ensures uniform firearm regulations statewide - local jurisdictions cannot impose additional restrictions on carrying, possessing, or transporting firearms beyond what state law provides
• Local ordinances that conflict with state firearms law are automatically null and void, regardless of when they were enacted
• Permit holders have a private right of action with potential recovery of damages and attorney fees if a local government violates preemption
• The only local firearm regulations you may encounter involve parks and preserves discharge restrictions, minor possession rules, and commercial zoning - all of which must be consistent with state law
• Always verify current fire restrictions before discharging firearms on state lands, as seasonal restrictions may apply

For the full text of Arizona's firearms statutes, visit the Arizona Legislature website at azleg.gov. For personalized legal guidance, consult a qualified Arizona firearms attorney.

How to Get an Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit

Eligibility Requirements

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3112, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a resident of Arizona or a United States citizen
• Be 21 years of age or older, OR at least 19 years of age with evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserve, or a state National Guard (all veterans must provide DD-214)
• Not be under indictment for a felony offense
• Not be convicted of a felony offense, unless the conviction has been expunged, set aside, vacated, or pardoned, or the individual's right to possess firearms has been restored; must not be a prohibited possessor under state or federal law
• Not suffer from mental illness and/or have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution
• Not be unlawfully present in the United States
• Complete a firearms safety training program pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3112(N)

Proof of Citizenship or Alien Status

Persons born outside of the United States or one of its territories must send a copy of proof of citizenship or alien status and provide an Alien Registration Number, if available. Acceptable documents include:

• Certificate of Naturalization
• Resident Alien Card
• Record of Birth Abroad to U.S. Citizens
• Record of Birth Abroad to Armed Forces Personnel
• U.S. Passport

Application Process

1. Apply online through the Arizona DPS Public Services Portal at https://psp.azdps.gov/ or via the Concealed Weapon Permit Application portal at https://azdpsccw.permitium.com/ccw/start
2. Available application types:
   • New Concealed Weapon Permit Application
   • Renewal Concealed Weapon Permit Application
   • Replacement CCW Application (for damaged, lost, stolen, permit error, or permit not received)
   • Change of Name or Address Application
3. Ensure all information is complete and accurate - applications containing errors or incomplete information will be returned to the applicant for correction
4. Allow 75 days for the Department's Concealed Weapons Permit Unit (CWPU) to process the application
5. If you have not received your permit or notification after 75 days, contact the CWPU
6. Once you receive your permit, inspect it for any errors. If an error is found, return the permit along with a completed "Profile Change Request Form" (available on the DPS website under the Applications and Forms tab)

Contact Information

Arizona Department of Public Safety - Concealed Weapons Permit Unit

• Physical Address: 2222 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85009
• Phone: (602) 256-6280
• Email: ccw@azdps.gov
• Online Portal: https://psp.azdps.gov/
• Ask a Question: https://www.azdps.gov/form/ask-a-question-cwp

Key Statutes and Administrative Rules

• A.R.S. Title 13, Chapter 31 - Weapons and Explosives
• A.R.S. § 13-3112 - Concealed Weapons Permit (primary governing statute)
• A.A.C. R13-9-101 through R13-9-603 - Arizona Administrative Rules on Concealed Weapons Permits
• A.R.S. § 13-3102 - Misconduct Involving Weapons

Additional Resources

• Arizona DPS Concealed Weapons and Permits page: https://www.azdps.gov/services/public-services-center/concealed-weapons-and-permits
• Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 13: https://www.azleg.gov/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp?Title=13
• FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
• Federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004: Public Law 108-277 (18 U.S.C. §§ 926B and 926C)
• ATF Firearms FAQ: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/

Arizona Concealed Carry - Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Arizona?

No. Arizona is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state. Arizona does not require a concealed carry license to carry a concealed firearm within the state. However, Arizona still issues concealed weapons permits (CWP) through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) for those who wish to obtain one, which can be beneficial for reciprocity with other states and for carrying in establishments that serve alcohol.

Reference: A.R.S. § 13-3112

Who is eligible for an Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(E), the Arizona DPS shall issue a permit to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions:

1. Residency: Is a resident of Arizona or a United States citizen
2. Age: Is 21 years of age or older, or is at least 19 years of age and provides evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the U.S. armed forces, reserves, or a state national guard
3. Criminal History: Is not under indictment for and has not been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony (unless the conviction has been expunged, set aside, or vacated, or the applicant's rights have been restored and the applicant is not currently a prohibited possessor under state or federal law)
4. Mental Health: Does not suffer from mental illness and has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution
5. Legal Presence: Is not unlawfully present in the United States
6. Firearms Competence: Has ever demonstrated competence with a firearm as prescribed by A.R.S. § 13-3112(N) and provides adequate documentation

What counts as demonstrating firearms competence?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(N), an applicant may demonstrate competence through any of the following:

1. Completion of any firearms safety or training course available to the general public, offered by a law enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private/public institution, academy, organization, or firearms training school that is approved by DPS or uses NRA-certified instructors
2. Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Arizona Game and Fish Department or a similar agency of another state
3. Completion of any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course
4. Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course approved by DPS
5. Evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the U.S. armed forces
6. A valid current or expired concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit or license issued by another state or political subdivision that has a training or testing requirement for initial issuance
7. Completion of any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualification to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties
8. Completion of any other firearms safety or training course conducted by a DPS-approved or NRA-certified firearms instructor

What documentation is considered "adequate" for proving firearms competence?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(E)(6), "adequate documentation" means:

• A current or expired permit previously issued by DPS pursuant to this section
• An original or copy of a certificate, card, or document showing completion of any qualifying course or class, or an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, or organization attesting to completion
• An original or copy of DD-214 indicating honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions, a certificate of completion of basic training, or other proof of military service
• An original or copy of a concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit or license from another state

How long does the application process take?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(H), the DPS shall complete all required qualification checks within 60 days after receiving the application and shall issue a permit within 15 working days after completing the qualification checks if the applicant meets all conditions.

What if my application is denied?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(H), if a permit is denied, DPS shall notify the applicant in writing within 15 working days after completing all required qualification checks and shall state the reasons for the denial. The applicant then has 20 days to submit additional documentation. DPS must reconsider its decision and inform the applicant within 20 days of the result. If still denied, the applicant may request a hearing pursuant to Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10.

How long is the permit valid?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(I), a permit is valid for five (5) years upon issuance. A permit held by a member of the U.S. armed forces (including Arizona National Guard or reserves) who is on federal active duty and deployed overseas shall be extended until 90 days after the end of the overseas deployment.

How do I renew my permit?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(K), a permit is renewable every five years. At least 60 days before the expiration date, DPS shall send a renewal reminder notice and renewal application form to the permit holder. A criminal history records check will be conducted within 60 days after receipt of the renewal application. Additional fingerprints are not required for renewal.

Am I required to carry my permit at all times?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(A), you must carry the permit at all times when you are in actual possession of the concealed weapon and are required by A.R.S. § 4-229 or § 4-244 to carry the permit (i.e., when carrying in establishments that serve alcohol). You must present the permit for inspection to any law enforcement officer on request in those circumstances.

What happens if I fail to present my permit when required?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(C), a permittee who is required to carry a permit (under § 4-229 or § 4-244) and fails to present it for inspection upon request of a law enforcement officer is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $300. DPS shall immediately suspend the permit upon notification of the violation. However, a permittee shall not be convicted if they produce to the court a legible permit that was valid at the time of the failure to present.

Can a law enforcement officer confiscate my firearm if my permit is suspended for failure to present?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(D), a law enforcement officer shall not confiscate or forfeit a weapon that is otherwise lawfully possessed by a permittee whose permit is suspended for failure to present, except that an officer may take temporary custody of a firearm during an investigatory stop.

What happens to my permit if I am arrested?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(B), the permit of a person who is arrested or indicted for an offense that would make the person unqualified (under A.R.S. § 13-3101(A)(7) or § 13-3112) shall be immediately suspended and seized. If the person is convicted, the permit shall be revoked. The permit shall be restored upon presentation of documentation from the court if the permittee is found not guilty or the charges are dismissed, or upon documentation from the county attorney that charges were dropped or dismissed.

Does Arizona recognize concealed carry permits from other states?

Yes. Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(Q), Arizona shall recognize a concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit or license issued by another state or political subdivision if both:

1. The permit or license is recognized as valid in the issuing state
2. The permit or license holder is:
   • Legally present in Arizona
   • Not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm under Arizona law

Does Arizona prioritize in-state residents for permit applications?

Yes. Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(A), the DPS shall prioritize applications of in-state residents when issuing a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Can I check the status of my permit online?

Yes. The Arizona Department of Public Safety maintains a license status lookup tool at https://webapps.azdps.gov/public_inq/sgrd/ShowLicenseStatus.action. You can search by name or license number. Note that the status could indicate "Issued" when the license is actually expired - always check the expiration date.

What are the permit statuses I might see?

According to the DPS Licensing Unit:

• Issued: Application process completed; license is valid and in good standing
• Pending: Application received and in process
• Renew: Renewal application received and in process
• Expired: License is expired; not allowed to work/carry on expired status
• Incomplete: Application received but items are missing or contain errors
• Ready to License: Application ready to be issued once additional documents and fee are submitted
• FP Reject: Fingerprints rejected by FBI or State; new fingerprint card required

What application materials are required?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(F), the application must be completed on a form prescribed by DPS. The applicant must:

• Attest under penalty of perjury that all statements are true
• Attest that the applicant has been furnished a copy of Title 13, Chapter 31 and Chapter 4
• Attest that the applicant is knowledgeable about the provisions in those chapters
• Submit documentation of firearms competence as prescribed
• Submit two sets of fingerprints
• Pay a reasonable fee determined by the Director of DPS

Note: The application form shall not require the applicant to disclose the type of firearm for which a permit is sought.

Is the DPS permit database accessible to the public?

Per A.R.S. § 13-3112(J), DPS maintains a computerized permit record system accessible to criminal justice agencies for confirming permit status. This information and other records regarding applicants, permit holders, or instructors shall not be available to any other person or entity except on an order from a state or federal court. A criminal justice agency shall not use the system to conduct inquiries unless it has reasonable suspicion to believe the person is carrying a concealed weapon and the person is subject to a lawful criminal investigation, arrest, detention, or investigatory stop.

Where are concealed weapons prohibited in Arizona?

Key prohibited locations under Arizona law include (referencing A.R.S. § 13-3102 and related statutes in Title 13, Chapter 31):

• Polling places on election day (A.R.S. § 13-3102)
• School grounds (K-12) without specific authorization
• Nuclear or hydroelectric generating stations
• Military installations
• Establishments that serve alcohol (unless you have a valid CCW permit per A.R.S. § 4-229 and § 4-244)
• Any public establishment or event where the operator has posted proper notice prohibiting weapons
• Federal buildings and properties (federal law)

Note: Specific prohibited locations are detailed in A.R.S. § 13-3102. Permit holders should review the full text of this statute for comprehensive information.

<!-- federal-context-block:added-2026-05-20 -->

Federal context

Lautenberg Amendment - 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (MCDV) - any misdemeanor that has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed against a current or former spouse, parent, guardian, person with a child in common, cohabitant, or similarly situated person - triggers a federal lifetime firearm-possession bar that is independent of state law. The federal bar applies even when the state-court conviction did not involve a firearm and even when no firearm-related penalty was imposed at sentencing. The 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Rahimi reaffirmed that federal firearm disabilities tied to domestic-violence findings remain constitutional under the Second Amendment.

Arizona Firearm Laws: Other Topics

The Headline

This section covers Arizona firearm rules that do not fit cleanly into the other sections of this guide: ammunition, magazine capacity, waiting periods, private sales, dealer rules, body armor, antique firearms, and the historical and constitutional backdrop. If a question does not belong in Permit Basics, Concealed Carry, Open Carry, Constitutional Carry, Prohibited Places, Use of Force, Castle Doctrine, Restrictions, Reciprocity, or one of the other dedicated sections, the short answer is here.

Arizona is a permissive firearms state. Most of what appears in this catch-all is not regulated at the state level. The federal framework controls, or no rule applies at all. A.R.S. 13-3108(A) state-preempts local firearms ordinances, so the city or county next door cannot add a layer that state law does not impose.

Ammunition

Arizona imposes no state-level ammunition restrictions. There is no state ammunition background check, no caliber prohibition, no online-purchase rule, and no registration requirement for ammunition sales between Arizona residents. Federal law still applies:

• 18 U.S.C. 922(a)(7) restricts the manufacture, importation, and dealing of armor-piercing handgun ammunition (defined for handguns by core composition and structural criteria). It is a manufacture-and-dealer rule, not a consumer-possession rule for most ammunition.
• 18 U.S.C. 922(g) prohibits ammunition possession by the same categories of persons (felons, unlawful drug users, persons subject to qualifying protective orders, and the rest of the prohibited-person list) as for firearms.
• 18 U.S.C. 922(d) makes it a federal felony to transfer ammunition to a known prohibited person.

Arizona's prohibited-possessor list at A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(7) mirrors several of the federal categories. The A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(4) offense (possessing a deadly weapon or prohibited weapon while a prohibited possessor) is the state-law parallel for prohibited persons who possess firearms, with ammunition-only conduct still falling under the federal scheme.

Magazine capacity

Arizona has no magazine capacity limit. Standard-capacity magazines (17, 20, 30, and beyond) are lawful to own, carry, transfer, and use. There is no state assault-weapon law and no feature-test for rifles. Local jurisdictions are blocked from imposing magazine caps by A.R.S. 13-3108(A), which expressly preempts local rules on "firearms or ammunition components or related accessories."

Waiting periods

None. Arizona imposes no waiting period for any firearm purchase. The only delay you may experience is the federal NICS background check at an FFL counter, which is typically instant but can be delayed for further review under 18 U.S.C. 922(t). If NICS returns a "delay" status and the FFL has not received a final determination after three business days, federal law permits the dealer to proceed at their discretion (the "default proceed" rule), though many dealers wait longer as policy.

Private sales between Arizona residents

Arizona law does not require a background check for private firearm sales or transfers between Arizona residents who are not engaged in the business of dealing firearms. Federal law still applies:

• 18 U.S.C. 922(d): it is a federal felony to sell or transfer a firearm to a person you know, or have reasonable cause to believe, is prohibited.
• 18 U.S.C. 922(a)(5): interstate private handgun sales between non-licensees are restricted; out-of-state long-gun sales generally must run through an FFL in the buyer's state.

Operational best practice (not required by Arizona statute):

1. Use a written bill of sale capturing buyer name, address, driver's license number, firearm description, serial number, and date.
2. Verify the buyer is an Arizona resident with a current Arizona driver's license or ID.
3. Have the buyer sign an attestation that they are not federally prohibited.
4. If you have any doubt about the buyer's eligibility, decline the sale or run it through an FFL.

An A.R.S. 13-3112 permit is a strong indicator the buyer cleared a recent background check at the time the permit was issued, but the permit is not a substitute for federal-prohibitor diligence on a current transaction.

Dealer requirements

Arizona does not impose a state-level firearm dealer license requirement. Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) in Arizona are regulated by ATF under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C. Chapter 44) and 27 C.F.R. Part 478. Federal rules govern the Form 4473, the bound-book A&D record, NICS background checks, and ATF compliance inspections. Arizona does not layer state-level inventory tracking, dealer-bond requirements, or state firearm-purchase permits on top of the federal scheme. Local jurisdictions are preempted from adopting any dealer-licensing layer by A.R.S. 13-3108(A).

Body armor

Body armor is legal to own and possess in Arizona for non-prohibited persons. Arizona has no state-level prohibition on the purchase, sale, or wear of soft body armor or rifle plates by ordinary residents, and there is no state body-armor purchase permit, waiting period, or registration.

Two restrictions deserve mention:

• A.R.S. 13-3116 (where present in the active code) addresses body armor in the commission of certain offenses. Operators should confirm the exact prohibited-use conduct against the live statute before relying on a precise description; the operative principle is that body armor is generally lawful for ordinary possession but its use in connection with certain felonies can carry consequences.
• 18 U.S.C. 931 is the federal prohibition on the purchase, ownership, or possession of body armor by anyone convicted of a "crime of violence" felony, subject to narrow employment-related exemptions.

Possession of body armor by an ordinary law-abiding Arizonan for personal defense, range use, or instruction is not regulated at the state level.

Antique firearms

Federal law at 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(16) defines "antique firearm" to include firearms manufactured in or before 1898, plus certain muzzleloading replicas. Antiques are exempt from most Gun Control Act provisions (no FFL requirement to sell, no Form 4473, no NICS for purchases). Arizona follows the federal classification at A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(4), which defines "firearm" by function (a weapon designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive) but excludes "a firearm in permanently inoperable condition" - the same operability concept federal law uses for antiques and deactivated firearms.

An antique that functions as a firearm is still subject to Arizona's prohibited-places framework under A.R.S. 13-3102(A) if carried in a restricted location, and to A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(4) if possessed by an A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(7) prohibited possessor.

Historical and constitutional context

State constitutional provision

The Arizona Constitution, Art. II, Section 26, provides: "The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the State shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain, or employ an armed body of men." This is one of the more strongly worded state right-to-bear-arms provisions in the United States. The proviso bars private armed bodies of men; it does not narrow the individual right.

Legislative landmarks

Operators should always verify the current text of any A.R.S. provision at azleg.gov before relying on a specific subsection.

Reciprocity baseline

Arizona's reciprocity is governed by A.R.S. 13-3112(U), which directs the Department of Public Safety to enter agreements with other states recognizing their concealed-carry permits provided the issuing state's standards meet specified criteria. The operative list lives in Reciprocity rather than here.

Cross-references

To avoid duplication, OTHER does not restate content covered in sibling sections. For:

• Permit eligibility, process, fees, renewal, training: see Permit Basics, Application Process, Fees & Costs, Renewal Process, Training Requirements.
• Where you can and cannot carry: see Prohibited Places, Vehicle Carry, Transport, Storage.
• Prohibited persons (federal prohibitor list also governs ammunition and body armor): see Restrictions.
• NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, machine guns): see NFA Items.
• Self-defense and stand your ground: see Use of Force, Castle Doctrine.
• Out-of-state recognition: see Reciprocity.
• Permitless carry framework: see Constitutional Carry.
• Q&A format for common student questions: see FAQ.
• Red-flag / ERPO: see Red Flag (Arizona has no ERPO statute).
• Carrying while impaired or on licensed premises: see Under the Influence.
• Local-government preemption: see Preemption.

For any topic raised by a student that does not appear here or in a sibling section, the safe assumption is that Arizona does not regulate it at the state level and the federal framework controls. Confirm the latest statute against the live A.R.S. before relying on this guide.

This summary is informational and is not legal advice. Consult an Arizona attorney for fact-specific questions.

<!-- federal-context-block:added-2026-05-20 -->

Federal context

N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen (2022). Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022), established the historical-tradition test for Second Amendment claims. Any state-level firearm regulation in Arizona is subject to Bruen analysis if challenged on Second Amendment grounds.

18 U.S.C. 922 framework. Federal firearm regulation sits on top of Arizona's permissive state framework for ammunition, private sales, dealer licensing, body armor, and antique firearms. Federal prohibited-person disabilities at 18 U.S.C. 922(g), federal dealer rules at 18 U.S.C. 923, and federal interstate transfer rules at 18 U.S.C. 922(a) all apply regardless of Arizona's lighter state-level treatment.