Arizona allows concealed carry without a permit under Senate Bill 1108 (effective July 29, 2010), often called 'constitutional carry.' Anyone 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm can carry a concealed handgun in most public places without a license (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102). You can also get a Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) from the Arizona Department of Public Safety under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112, which is optional but offers benefits like reciprocity with other states. To get a CWP, you must be 21 or older (or 19 if a military member), complete a firearms training course (at least 8 hours), and pass a background check with fingerprinting. Concealed carry is banned in certain places like schools and polling places (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102(A)), and in establishments serving alcohol unless you have a CWP and don't consume alcohol (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 4-229). Private property owners can also ban firearms with proper signage (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102).
Costs: A CWP application costs $60 (including fingerprinting). Training courses typically cost $50-$100. Total costs for a CWP are usually $110-$160.
Processing Time: CWP applications are processed within 75 days, but delays can occur if additional background checks are needed.
Renewal: A CWP is valid for 5 years. Renewal costs $43 and does not require retraining.
Reciprocity: Since Arizona allows permitless carry, you don't need a CWP to carry concealed here if you're 21 or older. Arizona honors permits from all other states. An Arizona CWP is recognized by 38 states, including Florida, Nevada, and Texas. Always check the laws of the state you're visiting.
Arizona allows open carry without a permit under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102. Anyone 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm can openly carry a handgun in most public places without a license. Open carry is banned in certain places like schools and polling places (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102(A)), and in establishments serving alcohol unless you have a CWP and don't consume alcohol (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 4-229). Private property owners can prohibit open carry with proper signage (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102). Long guns, like rifles and shotguns, can be openly carried without a permit, but displaying any firearm in a threatening manner is illegal (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2904). Violations can lead to misdemeanor charges, with penalties up to 6 months in jail.
Arizona has minimal restrictions on firearm types compared to many states. There are no state laws banning assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, silencers, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, or machine guns, as long as they comply with federal law (e.g., National Firearms Act for machine guns and silencers). Ghost guns (firearms without serial numbers) are legal, and there's no requirement to serialize them. However, certain people can't possess firearms, like felons or those with domestic violence convictions (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3101). Firearms are banned in specific places like schools and polling places (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102). Violations can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, with penalties up to 6 months in jail or 2 years in prison.
Costs: There are no state fees for owning restricted firearms since Arizona doesn't ban them, but federal fees apply for items like silencers ($200 tax stamp).
Processing Time: Federal background checks for restricted items (e.g., silencers) can take 6-12 months through the ATF.
Interstate travel with firearms through or into Arizona is allowed under federal law, but you must follow state rules. The federal Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA), under 18 U.S.C. § 926A, lets you transport firearms across state lines if you can legally possess them in your starting and destination states. The firearm must be unloaded, and neither the firearm nor its ammo can be easily reached from the passenger area—store them in a trunk or locked container (not the glove box). Arizona law allows you to carry a handgun in your vehicle without a permit if you're 21 or older and can legally possess a firearm (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102). Long guns can be transported without a locked container. Firearms are banned in certain places like schools and polling places (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102). Arizona allows permitless carry, so you don't need a license to carry while traveling here if you're 21 or older and can legally possess a firearm.
Purchasing a firearm in Arizona is straightforward with few state restrictions. You must be 21 to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer or 18 for rifles or shotguns (federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1)). No permit, background check, or waiting period is required for private sales. For dealer purchases, you'll need a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), but there's no state waiting period (18 U.S.C. § 922). There's no limit on the number of firearms you can buy at once, and no state requirement for a safety certificate. Assault weapons, silencers, and large-capacity magazines can be purchased, subject to federal laws (e.g., NFA for silencers). Certain people, like felons, can't buy firearms (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3101).
Costs: There are no state fees for purchasing, but dealers may charge a $10-$25 fee for the NICS background check. Total fees are typically $10-$25 per transaction.
Processing Time: NICS background checks are usually instant but can take up to 3 days if there's a delay.
Arizona does not require firearm registration for most guns. There's no state law mandating registration when you buy a firearm, move to Arizona, or own a ghost gun (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3101). Federal law requires registration for certain items like machine guns and silencers through the ATF (National Firearms Act). Arizona doesn't require reporting lost or stolen firearms. There are no penalties for failing to register since registration isn't required. In fact, Arizona law prohibits local governments from maintaining a registry of firearms (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3108).
Arizona has minimal firearm storage laws. There's no state requirement to store firearms unloaded or in a locked container (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3101). However, it's illegal to leave a firearm where a child under 18 can access it if the child uses it to cause injury or death, known as misconduct involving weapons (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3111). Penalties can be a misdemeanor (up to 6 months in jail) or a felony (up to 2 years in prison) if serious harm occurs. There's no requirement to report lost or stolen firearms, and dealers aren't required to provide locking devices with purchases.
Arizona follows a strong Castle Doctrine under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-411, allowing you to use deadly force to protect yourself in your home, vehicle, or any place you have a legal right to be. If someone unlawfully enters or attempts to enter these places, and you reasonably believe they're a threat to cause death or serious injury, you can use deadly force, like shooting them. Arizona is also a 'stand your ground' state, meaning you don't have to retreat anywhere you're legally present (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-405). This applies to your property and public places. However, the force must be proportionate, and using excessive force after the threat ends can lead to charges like manslaughter or murder.