Transport | Arizona Concealed Carry

Arizona Transportation Laws for Firearms

Constitutional Carry in Vehicles (Age 21+)

Arizona's "Constitutional Carry" law (effective July 29, 2010) allows any person who is 21 years of age or older and who can legally own or purchase a firearm to carry it loaded and concealed on their person without any type of permit or license anywhere inside a vehicle.

Persons Aged 18-20: Vehicle Transport Rules

Under A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(2), it is unlawful for a person under 21 years of age to carry a deadly weapon (except a pocket knife) concealed on their person or within their immediate control in or on a means of transportation.

However, A.R.S. § 13-3102(B)(3) provides exceptions for persons aged 18-20. A firearm is not considered unlawfully concealed if it is carried in:

• (a) A manner where any portion of the firearm or holster is visible
• (b) A holster that is wholly or partially visible
• (c) A scabbard or case designed for carrying weapons that is wholly or partially visible
• (d) Luggage
• (e) A case, holster, scabbard, pack, or luggage that is carried within a means of transportation, or within a storage compartment, map pocket, trunk, or glove compartment of a means of transportation

Persons aged 18-20 may also openly carry a loaded firearm on their person while inside a vehicle, provided the firearm or holster is visible.

Note: This does not permit an 18-20 year old to conceal an unholstered firearm underneath a seat.

Transport on K-12 School Grounds

Per A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(12) and (I)(1), possessing a deadly weapon on school grounds is generally prohibited. However, an exception applies:

• An adult may have a firearm in a vehicle on school grounds if the firearm is unloaded and carried within a means of transportation under the adult's control.
• If the adult exits the vehicle, the firearm must:
  • Remain unloaded
  • Not be visible from outside the vehicle
  • The vehicle must be locked

Duty to Inform Law Enforcement

Under A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1)(b), a person carrying a concealed deadly weapon commits misconduct involving weapons if, when contacted by a law enforcement officer, they fail to accurately answer the officer when asked whether they are carrying a concealed deadly weapon. During a stop, the law enforcement officer may take temporary custody of the firearm for the duration of the contact for officer safety purposes.

State Preemption of Local Regulations

Under A.R.S. § 13-3108, political subdivisions of Arizona are prohibited from enacting any ordinance, rule, or tax relating to the transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, acquisition, gift, devise, storage, licensing, registration, discharge, or use of firearms or ammunition. Any local rule that is inconsistent with or more restrictive than state law is null and void.

Political subdivisions also cannot require the licensing or registration of firearms or ammunition.

Prohibited Locations (Relevant to Transport)

Firearm carry (open or concealed) is generally prohibited in the following locations, which may affect transport decisions:

• Businesses serving alcohol for on-premises consumption (exceptions for CCW permit holders per A.R.S. § 4-229 and A.R.S. § 4-244)
• Polling places on election days (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(11))
• K-12 school grounds (with vehicle exceptions noted above) (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(12))
• Commercial nuclear and hydroelectric generating stations (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(13))
• Military installations
• Indian reservations (check with individual tribe)
• Federal buildings
• Airports (in or beyond security checkpoints)
• Correctional facilities
• Public establishments or events when asked to remove the weapon by the operator/sponsor (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(10))

State and National Parks / National Forests

• Arizona State Parks: Carrying a firearm outdoors in a state park is permissible; however, carrying inside a state park building is restricted per A.R.S. § 13-3102. A Park Ranger may make a reasonable request to remove a firearm if the person is believed to pose a danger.
• Local Parks: Under A.R.S. § 13-3108, cities and counties cannot ban firearms in parks. Open or concealed carry is permitted depending on age.
• National Forests: Firearms may be carried in compliance with state laws, but federal regulations apply regarding discharge. Per 36 CFR 261.10(d), firearms may not be discharged:
  1. Within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area
  2. Across or on a Forest Development road or adjacent body of water, or in any manner exposing persons or property to injury
  3. Into or within any cave

Federal Interstate Transport Protections

Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), the following categories of persons are prohibited from shipping, transporting, possessing, or receiving any firearm or ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce:

1. Persons convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
2. Fugitives from justice
3. Unlawful users of or persons addicted to controlled substances
4. Persons adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution
5. Illegal/unlawful aliens or certain nonimmigrant visa holders
6. Persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces
7. Persons who have renounced U.S. citizenship
8. Persons subject to qualifying domestic violence restraining orders
9. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence

Definitions (A.R.S. § 13-3101)

• "Firearm": Any loaded or unloaded handgun, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, or other weapon that will expel, is designed to expel, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. Does not include a firearm in permanently inoperable condition.
• "Deadly weapon": Anything designed for lethal use, including firearms.
• "Means of transportation": A term used throughout A.R.S. § 13-3102 that includes vehicles. Note: A.R.S. § 13-3101 does not provide a formal statutory definition of this term.