Arizona Gun Laws

Arizona's misconduct-involving-weapons statute restricts concealed carry only for persons under twenty-one years of age. Adults 21 and older may lawfully carry a deadly weapon, including a handgun, openly or concealed on their person or in or on a means of transportation without a permit. Subsection (B) exempts persons on their own property, sheriff's posse members, and any firearm carried in a visible holster, scabbard, case, luggage, or vehicle storage compartment.

"Carrying a deadly weapon except a pocket knife concealed on his person or concealed within his immediate control in or on a means of transportation if the person is under twenty-one years of age."

A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(2) and § 13-3102(B) statute

Senate Bill 1108, enacted as Chapter 59 of the 2010 Arizona Session Laws and approved by Governor Brewer on April 16, 2010 (effective July 29, 2010), struck the prior 'without a permit pursuant to section 13-3112' language from A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1) and replaced it with the current adult-21+ rule, establishing permitless concealed carry in Arizona. Arizona became the third state to adopt permitless carry.

"AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 4-229, 13-3102, 13-3105 AND 13-3112, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES; RELATING TO WEAPONS."

Chapter 59, 2010 Arizona Session Laws (SB 1108) statute

The Arizona Department of Public Safety issues the Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) to qualified applicants who are residents or U.S. citizens, at least 21 years of age (or 19+ with qualifying military service), not under felony indictment, not federally prohibited, not adjudicated mentally ill, and not unlawfully present. Permits are valid for five years and renewable every five years. The statute requires demonstration of competence with a firearm through any of nine listed pathways (NRA course, hunter education, DPS-approved course, military service, prior permit from another state, governmental police firearms training, or any other DPS-approved course); Arizona imposes no minimum training-hour requirement.

"On issuance, a permit is valid for five years... An applicant shall demonstrate competence with a firearm through any of the following: 1. Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class..."

A.R.S. § 13-3112 statute

The Arizona Department of Public Safety administers the Concealed Weapons Permit program. The application fee is $60 (new) and $43 (renewal). DPS requests applicants to allow up to 75 days for processing, though statute requires the qualification check to be completed within 60 days and the permit issued within 15 working days of completion if qualified.

"The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) administers the concealed weapons permit program pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 13-3112."

AZ DPS — Concealed Weapons and Permits ag

Open carry of a firearm is permitted in Arizona for any adult who is not a prohibited possessor. The under-21 concealed-carry restriction does not apply to a firearm where any portion of the firearm or holster is visible, or a holster, scabbard, or case that is wholly or partially visible.

"A firearm that is carried in: (a) A manner where any portion of the firearm or holster in which the firearm is carried is visible. (b) A holster that is wholly or partially visible."

A.R.S. § 13-3102(B)(3) statute

Arizona's under-21 concealed-carry restriction does not apply to a firearm carried within a means of transportation or within a storage compartment, map pocket, trunk, or glove compartment of a vehicle. Adults 21+ may lawfully carry a loaded handgun openly or concealed anywhere in a vehicle — including the glove box, center console, or trunk — without a permit. Federally prohibited persons remain barred from possession.

"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."

A.R.S. § 13-3102(B)(3)(e) statute

Arizona's parking-lot statute forbids property owners, tenants, public or private employers, and business entities from establishing, maintaining, or enforcing any rule that prohibits a person from lawfully transporting or storing a firearm in the person's locked, privately owned motor vehicle (or in a locked compartment on a motorcycle), provided the firearm is not visible from the outside. The protection extends to all lawful carriers — including permitless carriers — and is not limited to permit holders. Exceptions exist for secured/screened parking facilities, employer-owned vehicles used for work, nuclear generating stations, single-family residences, DOD contractors on military bases, and parking lots that offer alternative parking at no extra fee.

"A property owner, tenant, public or private employer or business entity shall not establish, maintain or enforce a policy or rule that prohibits a person from lawfully transporting or lawfully storing any firearm that is both: 1. In the person's locked and privately owned motor vehicle or in a locked compartment on the person's privately owned motorcycle. 2. Not visible from the outside of the motor vehicle or motorcycle."

A.R.S. § 12-781 statute

Arizona statute recognizes any valid concealed-weapon, firearm, or handgun permit issued by another state or political subdivision, so long as the permit is valid in the issuing state and the holder is legally present in Arizona and not federally prohibited (out-of-state permittees under 21 may not carry concealed in Arizona under § 13-3112(S)). The AZ DPS reciprocity matrix (as of May 28, 2024) shows that 36 unique states honor the Arizona permit — 30 through statutory recognition and an additional 6 (plus Arkansas) through written reciprocal agreements with Idaho, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Arkansas.

"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 all of the following: (a) Legally present in this state. (b) Not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm in this state."

A.R.S. § 13-3112(Q) and AZ DPS Reciprocity Matrix (as of May 28, 2024) ag

Arizona's castle-doctrine statute justifies the use of physical or deadly force against an intruder who is unlawfully or forcefully entering — or has unlawfully or forcefully entered — a residential structure or occupied vehicle, where the defender reasonably believes themselves or another to be in imminent peril of death or serious physical injury. There is no duty to retreat before using force under this section.

"A person has no duty to retreat before threatening or using physical force or deadly physical force pursuant to this section."

A.R.S. § 13-418 statute

Arizona's crime-prevention justification statute authorizes the use of physical or deadly force to prevent specified serious crimes (including arson of an occupied structure, burglary, kidnapping, manslaughter, murder, sexual conduct with a minor, sexual assault, child molestation, and armed robbery). The statute creates a presumption that the defender's belief was reasonable, imposes no duty to retreat, and applies in the person's home, residence, business, owned or leased land, any conveyance, or any other place the person has a right to be.

"There is no duty to retreat before threatening or using physical force or deadly physical force justified by subsection A."

A.R.S. § 13-411 statute

Arizona is a stand-your-ground state. A person who is in a place where the person may legally be and who is not engaged in an unlawful act has no duty to retreat before threatening or using deadly physical force, when a reasonable person would believe deadly force is immediately necessary to protect against another's unlawful deadly force.

"A person has no duty to retreat before threatening or using deadly physical force pursuant to this section if the person is in a place where the person may legally be and is not engaged in an unlawful act."

A.R.S. § 13-405 statute

Arizona does NOT impose a proactive duty to inform an officer that you are armed. However, if an officer 'contacts' you (lawful traffic or criminal investigation, arrest, detention, or investigatory stop based on reasonable suspicion) and ASKS whether you are carrying a concealed deadly weapon, you must accurately answer; failing to do so is a Class 1 misdemeanor under § 13-3102(A)(1)(b). The officer may take temporary custody of the firearm for the duration of the contact under § 13-3102(L).

"When contacted by a law enforcement officer and failing to accurately answer the officer if the officer asks whether the person is carrying a concealed deadly weapon."

A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1)(b) and § 13-3102(N)(1) statute

Possessing a deadly weapon on school grounds (a public or nonpublic kindergarten, common, or high school, or any of its grounds) is a Class 1 misdemeanor — elevated to a Class 6 felony if connected with specified drug or gang offenses. Limited exceptions apply for hunter-safety programs, unloaded firearms in an adult-controlled locked vehicle, and LEOSA-qualified retired officers with a § 13-3112(T) certificate.

"Possessing a deadly weapon on school grounds... 'School grounds' means in, or on the grounds of, a school."

A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(12) statute

Unless specifically authorized by law, entering an election polling place on the day of any election while carrying a deadly weapon is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

"Unless specifically authorized by law, entering an election polling place on the day of any election carrying a deadly weapon."

A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(11) statute

A person commits a Class 1 misdemeanor by entering a public establishment or attending a public event and carrying a deadly weapon on his person after a reasonable request by the operator or sponsor to remove the weapon. § 13-3102.01 obligates the establishment or event sponsor — if it requests removal — to provide temporary, secure, and readily-accessible storage so the firearm can be retrieved on exit.

"Unless specifically authorized by law, entering any public establishment or attending any public event and carrying a deadly weapon on his person after a reasonable request by the operator of the establishment or the sponsor of the event."

A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(10) and § 13-3102.01 statute

A person carrying a firearm on the licensed premises of an on-sale liquor retailer (bar/restaurant serving alcohol for on-premises consumption) violates the statute only if the licensee has posted the prescribed 'no firearms allowed pursuant to A.R.S. § 4-229' sign with the circle-and-slash firearm pictogram at least 6 inches by 9 inches, in a conspicuous location adjacent to the liquor license. Without the posted notice, a person may lawfully carry; consumption of alcohol while carrying remains restricted under § 4-244(29).

"A person shall not carry a firearm on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer if the licensee has posted the notice prescribed in subsection A of this section."

A.R.S. § 4-229 statute

Intentionally carrying, possessing, or exercising control over a deadly weapon in a secured (post-screening) area of an airport is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Lawful transportation in compliance with TSA rules in unsecured areas remains permitted.

"A person commits misconduct involving weapons by intentionally carrying, possessing or exercising control over a deadly weapon in a secured area of an airport."

A.R.S. § 13-3119 statute

Arizona's liquor-law 'unlawful acts' statute makes it independently unlawful for any person — other than peace officers, qualifying sheriff's posse members, retired peace officers with a § 13-3112(T) certificate, or the licensee/their authorized employees — to possess a firearm on the licensed premises of an on-sale liquor retailer. This restriction operates separately from the § 4-229 posted-sign rule and applies to all on-sale licensed premises (bars and restaurants serving alcohol for on-premises consumption). Practical effect: consuming alcohol while carrying inside such an establishment is independently prohibited.

"For any person other than a peace officer while on duty or off duty or a member of a sheriff's volunteer posse while on duty who has received firearms training that is approved by the Arizona peace officer standards and training board, a retired peace officer as defined in section 38-1113 or an honorably retired law enforcement officer who has been issued a certificate of firearms proficiency pursuant to section 13-3112, subsection T, the licensee or an employee of the licensee acting with the permission of the licensee to be in possession of a firearm while on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer."

A.R.S. § 4-244(29) statute

Arizona enforces a seventy-five foot limit around polling places. With limited exceptions (election officials, authorized political-party representatives, statutorily-permitted minors, and challengers), no person may remain inside the 75-foot perimeter while polls are open except for the purpose of voting. Voters must retire outside the limit after casting their ballots. Violation of the posted notice is a class 2 misdemeanor.

"No person shall be allowed to remain inside these limits while the polls are open, except for the purpose of voting, and except the election officials, one representative at any one time of each political party represented on the ballot... A person violating any provision of this notice is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor."

A.R.S. § 16-515 (seventy-five foot limit at polling places) statute

Arizona has no state-mandated universal background-check requirement. Federally licensed dealers must run the federally required check through the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); Arizona does not operate a state point-of-contact system. Private, in-state transfers between unlicensed Arizona residents do not require a background check under either state or federal law.

"NICS is used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to instantly determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to buy firearms."

18 U.S.C. § 922(t) / ATF atf

Federal law requires that handguns be purchased from a federally licensed dealer (FFL) only by buyers 21 or older, while long guns may be purchased from an FFL at 18. Private in-state transfers of long guns between unlicensed Arizona residents are not bound by these FFL minimums. Arizona imposes no state purchase-age higher than federal law; the under-18 possession restrictions in A.R.S. § 13-3111 apply only to unsupervised juvenile possession in public.

"Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) may not sell, deliver or otherwise transfer a handgun or handgun ammunition to any person the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under the age of 21."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) / 18 U.S.C. § 922(x) atf

Arizona's juvenile-possession statute prohibits an unemancipated person under 18 — when unaccompanied by a parent, grandparent, guardian, or a certified hunter-safety or firearms-safety instructor acting with parental consent — from knowingly carrying or possessing a firearm in any place open to the public, on any street or highway, or on private property other than that owned or leased by the minor or their parent/grandparent/guardian. Exceptions apply for ages 14-17 engaged in lawful hunting, organized shooting events, or agricultural activities. Violation is a Class 6 felony with potential driver's-license suspension.

"an unemancipated person who is under eighteen years of age and who is unaccompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian, or a certified hunter safety instructor or certified firearms safety instructor acting with the consent of the unemancipated person's parent or guardian, shall not knowingly carry or possess on his person, within his immediate control, or in or on a means of transportation a firearm in any place that is open to the public or on any street or highway or on any private property except private property owned or leased by the minor or the minor's parent, grandparent or guardian."

A.R.S. § 13-3111 statute

Arizona has no firearm-registration system. State law affirmatively bars political subdivisions from requiring licensing or registration of firearms or ammunition and from maintaining records or databases containing identifying information of persons who own, possess, purchase, sell, or transfer a firearm.

"A political subdivision of this state shall not require the licensing or registration of firearms or ammunition or maintain records of the type, description or any identifying information of a person who owns, possesses, purchases, sells or transfers a firearm or ammunition."

A.R.S. § 13-3108(B) statute

Arizona has not enacted an extreme risk protection order (red flag) law. No statute in A.R.S. Title 13 establishes an ERPO procedure, and multiple ERPO proposals introduced between 2019-2024 have failed in committee. The closest existing mechanism — court-ordered involuntary mental-health treatment under A.R.S. § 36-540 — independently triggers prohibited-possessor status under § 13-3101(A)(7)(a), but is not an ERPO.

"13-3101... 'Prohibited possessor' means any person: (a) Who has been found to constitute a danger to self or to others or to have a persistent or acute disability or grave disability pursuant to court order pursuant to section 36-540."

No Arizona ERPO statute exists statute

Arizona's court-ordered involuntary mental-health treatment statute authorizes a court, on clear-and-convincing evidence that a person — as a result of a mental disorder — is a danger to self, a danger to others, or has a persistent or acute disability or grave disability and is in need of treatment, to order outpatient, combined, or inpatient treatment. A § 36-540 order independently triggers prohibited-possessor status under A.R.S. § 13-3101(A)(7)(a) and is the closest existing Arizona mechanism to a red-flag law, but it is a civil-commitment proceeding — not an ex parte ERPO.

"If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the proposed patient, as a result of mental disorder, is a danger to self, is a danger to others or has a persistent or acute disability or a grave disability and is in need of treatment, and is either unwilling or unable to accept voluntary treatment, the court shall order the patient to undergo one of the following."

A.R.S. § 36-540 statute

Arizona has no state assault-weapon ban. The state's preemption statute reserves regulation of firearms, ammunition, and components exclusively to the legislature and prohibits any political subdivision from enacting any law more restrictive than state law. Knowing violations by a political subdivision are subject to a civil penalty of up to $50,000.

"Except as provided in subsection G of this section, a political subdivision of this state shall not enact 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 or any firearm or ammunition components or related accessories in this state."

A.R.S. § 13-3108 statute

Arizona imposes no magazine-capacity limit. The preemption statute bars any political subdivision from imposing one and explicitly preempts regulation of 'firearm or ammunition components.'

"...any firearm or ammunition components or related accessories in this state."

A.R.S. § 13-3108 (preemption); no capacity statute statute

Suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and machine guns are regulated under the federal National Firearms Act and require ATF registration and tax-stamp payment.

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

Arizona's prohibited-weapons list (machine guns, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, sawed-off shotguns, silencers, and certain explosives) does NOT apply to items lawfully possessed under the federal National Firearms Act. Possession, transport, or transfer of an NFA-registered suppressor, SBR, SBS, or machine gun in compliance with federal law is lawful under state law. Gov. Hobbs vetoed SB 1014 in May 2025, which would have removed silencers/'muffling devices' entirely from the state's prohibited-weapons list — so silencers remain state-prohibited absent the NFA-compliance defense.

"'Prohibited weapon': (a) Includes the following: (i) An item that is a bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces or mine and that is explosive, incendiary or poison gas... (ii) A device that is designed, made or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm... (iii) A firearm that is capable of shooting more than one shot automatically, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger."

A.R.S. § 13-3101(A)(8) and § 13-3102(A)(3) statute

Arizona has one of the broadest firearm preemption statutes in the United States. Political subdivisions may not enact any ordinance, rule, or tax regulating the transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, acquisition, storage, licensing, registration, discharge, or use of firearms, ammunition, or components. Limited exceptions exist for retail-sales taxes at general rates, minor-possession ordinances, regulation of commercial firearms businesses at parity with other businesses, employee-restriction rules during employment, and discharge in parks/preserves. Knowing violations expose the political subdivision to civil penalties up to $50,000 and a permanent injunction; private plaintiffs may also recover attorney fees and damages up to $100,000.

"A court may impose a civil penalty of up to fifty thousand dollars against a political subdivision or an elected or appointed official of a political subdivision who knowingly and willfully violates this section."

A.R.S. § 13-3108 statute

SB 1108 (Chapter 59 of 2010) established permitless concealed carry in Arizona. It amended A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1) to remove the prior 'without a permit pursuant to section 13-3112' language and added the under-21 carve-out in (A)(2), so adults 21+ may carry concealed without a permit. Approved by Governor Brewer April 16, 2010; effective July 29, 2010.

"AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 4-229, 13-3102, 13-3105 AND 13-3112, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES; RELATING TO WEAPONS."

Chapter 59, 2010 Arizona Session Laws (SB 1108) statute

HB 2111 (Chapter 182 of 2021), the '2nd Amendment Firearm Freedom Act' codified at A.R.S. § 1-272, prohibits Arizona and its political subdivisions from using personnel or financial resources to enforce, administer, or cooperate with any federal act, law, treaty, executive order, rule, or regulation that is inconsistent with Arizona law regarding firearm regulation. Approved by Governor Ducey April 6, 2021.

"2nd amendment; unenforceable federal laws."

Chapter 182, 2021 Arizona Session Laws (HB 2111), codified at A.R.S. § 1-272 statute

SB 1382 (Chapter 348 of 2021), codified at A.R.S. § 12-721, mirrors the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) at the state level. It prohibits civil actions in Arizona courts against firearm manufacturers, sellers, and trade associations for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm or ammunition by a third party, with the standard PLCAA exceptions for negligent entrustment, defective products, and knowing statutory violations. Approved by Governor Ducey May 7, 2021.

"Essential businesses; firearms; ammunition; sales; civil actions."

Chapter 348, 2021 Arizona Session Laws (SB 1382), codified at A.R.S. § 12-721 statute

HB 2111 (Chapter 182 of 2021), codified at A.R.S. § 1-272, prohibits Arizona and its political subdivisions from using personnel or financial resources to enforce, administer, or cooperate with any federal act, law, treaty, executive order, rule, or regulation that is inconsistent with Arizona's firearm-regulation laws. Approved by Governor Ducey April 6, 2021.

Chapter 182, 2021 Arizona Session Laws (HB 2111)

SB 1382 (Chapter 348 of 2021), codified at A.R.S. § 12-721, mirrors the federal PLCAA at the state level. It prohibits civil actions in Arizona courts against firearm manufacturers, sellers, or trade associations for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm by a third party, with standard PLCAA exceptions. Approved by Governor Ducey May 7, 2021.

Chapter 348, 2021 Arizona Session Laws (SB 1382)

SB 1108, enacted as Chapter 59 of the 2010 Arizona Session Laws, struck the prior 'without a permit' restriction from A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1) and replaced it with a carve-out applying the under-21 concealed-carry restriction only to those under 21. Adults 21 and older may now carry openly or concealed without a permit. Approved by Governor Brewer April 16, 2010.

Chapter 59, 2010 Arizona Session Laws (SB 1108)