Carrying a Gun in Your Car in Arizona: Vehicle Carry Laws

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