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.

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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.