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