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.