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: [email protected]

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.

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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.