Storage | Arizona Concealed Carry

Storage Requirements for Concealed Carry - Arizona

Arizona does not impose a general statutory requirement on firearm owners or concealed carry permit holders to store firearms in any particular manner in their homes or vehicles. The state addresses firearm storage only in specific, narrow contexts - public establishments requesting weapon removal, government buildings, university campuses, and during declared emergencies. The relevant statutes are outlined below.

Public Establishments and Public Events - ARS § 13-3102.01

If the operator of a public establishment or sponsor of a public event requests that a person carrying a deadly weapon remove it, the operator or sponsor must provide temporary and secure storage for the weapon. Key provisions:

• The storage must be readily accessible on entry and allow immediate retrieval on exit (ARS § 13-3102.01(A)).
• This requirement does not apply to licensed premises holding a liquor license under Title 4 (ARS § 13-3102.01(B)).
• The operator, sponsor, or their employees/agents (including public entities and public employees) are not liable for acts or omissions related to this storage unless they intended to cause injury or were grossly negligent (ARS § 13-3102.01(C)).
• "Public establishment" and "public event" are defined in ARS § 13-3102.

Vehicle Storage on University Campuses - ARS § 12-781

Arizona law permits a person to lawfully transport or store a firearm on a university campus provided both conditions are met:

1. The firearm is in the person's locked, privately owned motor vehicle or in a locked compartment on a privately owned motorcycle; and
2. The firearm is not visible from outside the vehicle or motorcycle.

The Arizona Board of Regents or a university may require that vehicles transporting or storing firearms be parked in designated alternative parking areas as described in ARS § 12-781. Possession or use of personal safety devices (e.g., pepper spray) is not prohibited.

Emergency Powers Cannot Restrict Storage - ARS § 26-303(L)

Arizona law explicitly prohibits government officials from imposing additional restrictions on firearm storage during declared emergencies:

"Pursuant to the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 26, Constitution of Arizona, and notwithstanding any other law, the emergency powers of the governor, the adjutant general or any other official or person do not allow the imposition of additional restrictions on the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transportation, carrying, storage, display or use of firearms or ammunition or firearms or ammunition components." - ARS § 26-303(L)

The governor and adjutant general may order the reasonable movement of ammunition stores out of the path of dangerous conditions (ARS § 26-303(M)(1)), but cannot mandate broader firearm storage restrictions.

Minors and Firearm Access - ARS § 13-3111

ARS § 13-3111 addresses the transfer or furnishing of firearms to minors. While Arizona does not mandate locked storage in the home, gun owners should be aware that providing unsupervised access to firearms by minors may trigger liability under this statute. Concealed carry permit holders who live with minors should consult the current text of ARS § 13-3111 for specific obligations.

Judicial Officers - Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 6-113(Q)

Arizona probation and juvenile court officers authorized to carry firearms are subject to specific storage rules under the Code of Judicial Administration:

• Firearms and ammunition must be stored in a designated, safe, and locked place not accessible to unauthorized persons when not being carried (§ 6-113(Q)(2)).
• Firearms may not be kept in the office overnight unless secured in a department-approved storage unit (§ 6-113(Q)(2)(a)).
• Firearms may not be stored overnight in any vehicle (§ 6-113(Q)(2)(b)).
• Firearms must be kept in a secure place not accessible to other individuals, particularly children (§ 6-113(Q)(2)(c)).
• On-duty armed officers not wanting to carry into a residence or public building may temporarily store the firearm in a locked automobile trunk or glove compartment, ensuring the vehicle is locked and the placement is not observed by the public (§ 6-113(Q)(2)(d)).
• Chief probation officers may approve alternative arrangements such as secure lock boxes (§ 6-113(Q)(2)(d)(3)).

These requirements apply only to judicial branch officers, not to the general public or concealed carry permit holders.

Federal Requirements for Licensed Dealers

Under 18 U.S.C. § 923(d) and 27 CFR §§ 478.73, 478.104, Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) in Arizona must certify that secure gun storage or safety devices will be available at any location where firearms are sold to non-licensees. These devices must be compatible with the firearms offered for sale. Failure to comply may result in license revocation. This requirement applies to dealers, not individual gun owners or concealed carry permit holders.

The ATF also publishes Safety and Security for Firearm Owners (ATF P 5300.22), which provides voluntary recommendations for safe firearms handling and storage to protect against theft, loss, or misuse.

Summary

Best Practices

Although Arizona does not mandate specific storage for concealed carry permit holders, responsible storage is strongly recommended:

• Use a locked safe or gun lock, especially in households with minors or prohibited persons.
• When leaving a firearm in a vehicle, store it in a locked trunk or compartment out of sight, consistent with the standard applied on university campuses under ARS § 12-781.
• Maintain a personal firearms record (ATF P 3312.8) to facilitate reporting in case of theft or loss.

This section reflects Arizona law as of April 2026. Firearm laws are subject to change through legislation and court decisions. Consult current Arizona Revised Statutes and an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.