Arizona Concealed Carry Laws: Permitless Carry Guide

Arizona operates as a permitless carry state where any adult 21 or older who is not a prohibited possessor may carry a concealed handgun without a permit, background check, or training requirement. This framework took effect in 2010 when Arizona adopted constitutional carry.

The state maintains an optional Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP or CCW) system under Arizona Revised Statute § 13-3112, administered by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. DPS issues permits on a shall-issue basis to qualified applicants for interstate reciprocity and federal law compliance purposes.

This guide addresses Arizona's concealed carry framework, including statutory restrictions, reciprocity provisions, and federal law overlays that apply regardless of permitless carry status. Laws evolve frequently—verify critical details with official Arizona sources before carrying.

Is Concealed Carry Legal in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona allows constitutional (permitless) carry for anyone who can legally own or possess a firearm and is 21 or older. A.R.S. § 13-3102, which historically criminalized carrying a concealed deadly weapon without a permit, was amended to permit permitless carry for qualifying adults.

Eligibility for permitless carry:

• Minimum age 21
• Not a prohibited possessor under A.R.S. § 13-3101 or federal law
• No permit, training, or background check required under state law
• Applies equally to Arizona residents and non-residents

Prohibited possessor disqualifications include individuals who:

• Have been convicted of a felony (unless rights restored)
• Are under indictment for a felony
• Have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution
• Are unlawfully present in the United States
• Are serving a term of imprisonment, probation for domestic violence or felony, parole, or community supervision
• Have been found incompetent or guilty except insane

The permitless carry framework treats lawful concealed carry as the default legal status. Both residents and visitors may carry concealed handguns throughout Arizona without obtaining state credentials, subject to location-specific restrictions and federal law.

Non-residents face the same requirements as residents—no Arizona permit is needed to carry concealed if 21+ and not a prohibited possessor.

Concealed Carry Permits in Arizona

Arizona's optional permit system under A.R.S. § 13-3112 remains available for those who want credentials for interstate reciprocity or federal compliance.

Permit designation: Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP or CCW)

Issuing authority: Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), Concealed Weapons Permit Unit

Statutory framework: DPS administers the program "pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3112," which sets application, eligibility, and training requirements.

Eligibility requirements:

• Resident of Arizona or United States citizen
• Age 21 or older (or at least 19 with evidence of current military service or proof of honorable/general discharge)
• Not under indictment for a felony
• No felony convictions unless expunged, set aside, vacated, pardoned, or rights restored
• Not a prohibited possessor under state or federal law
• Not adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution
• Not unlawfully present in the United States

Training requirement: Applicants must demonstrate competence with a firearm under A.R.S. § 13-3112(N)(1)–(8). Acceptable proof includes:

• Firearms training course approved by DPS
• Hunter education or safety course approved by Arizona Game and Fish Department
• National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course
• Course conducted by DPS-approved or NRA-certified instructor
• Current military service or proof of honorable discharge
• Valid current or expired concealed weapon permit from another state with training requirements
• Governmental police agency firearms training course

DPS explicitly states: "there are no online or correspondence courses or programs outside of Arizona that are approved."

Application process: All new applicants must be fingerprinted and undergo criminal history background checks. DPS runs these checks as part of the process.

Validity period: Permits are valid for five years from issuance and renewable for five-year periods with new criminal history record checks.

Application fees:

• New permit: $60.00
• Renewal: $43.00
• Replacement card or profile change: $10.00

Processing time: Allow 75 days for DPS to process applications.

Non-resident permits: Arizona issues permits to qualified non-resident applicants. The same statutory standards and procedures apply to resident and non-resident applicants—there is no separate "non-resident permit" class.

Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited in Arizona?

A.R.S. § 13-3102 establishes specific locations where possessing or carrying a deadly weapon is misconduct involving weapons:

School grounds: A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(12) makes it misconduct to "possess a deadly weapon on school grounds." Limited exceptions exist for:

• Unloaded firearms in locked vehicle compartments
• Specific statutory defenses
• Authorized persons (law enforcement)

Polling places: Firearms are prohibited inside polling places on election day per A.R.S. § 13-3102(A).

Nuclear/critical facilities and secured areas: A.R.S. § 13-3102 criminalizes possession of weapons in secured areas of airports and certain other restricted facilities.

Bars, restaurants, and alcohol-licensed establishments: A.R.S. § 4-229 governs possession in establishments licensed to serve alcohol. If an establishment posts a compliant sign, carrying a firearm inside is prohibited.

Required signage under A.R.S. § 4-229 must:

• Be posted in a conspicuous location accessible to the general public and immediately adjacent to the liquor license
• Contain a pictogram of a firearm in a red circle with a diagonal red line
• Contain the words "no firearms allowed pursuant to A.R.S. section 4-229"

Where such signage is properly posted, a person carrying a firearm commits an offense. If asked to leave or secure the weapon and they refuse, they may face misconduct involving weapons under A.R.S. § 13-3102.01.

Private property generally:

Arizona has strong state preemption of local gun regulation under A.R.S. § 13-3108, which prohibits political subdivisions from imposing their own licensing or registration schemes. 

Outside of specific statutes like A.R.S. § 4-229 and certain government facilities, "no weapons" signs on private property operate primarily through property and trespass law. If a person refuses to comply with a request to leave or disarm, they can be charged with trespass. Ignoring such a request can itself constitute misconduct involving weapons.

State and local government buildings:

Some agencies or courts may have specific statutes or administrative rules prohibiting firearms beyond A.R.S. § 13-3102 provisions, especially in secured or screened areas.

Intoxication and dangerous behavior:

Additional subsections criminalize carrying a deadly weapon while committing certain crimes or in a manner that constitutes reckless endangerment. These provisions affect concealed carry in any location.

Concealed Carry Reciprocity in Arizona

Arizona recognizes permits from all states. Arizona law provides that Arizona and any political subdivision shall recognize a concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit issued by another state if:

1. The permit is recognized as valid in the issuing state
2. The permit holder is legally present in Arizona and not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm in Arizona

Conditions for out-of-state permit holders:

• Even when these requirements are met, the person may not carry concealed in Arizona if under 21 years of age, or under indictment for or convicted of a felony (unless rights restored)
• Out-of-state permit holders must comply with all Arizona laws

Arizona permits recognized elsewhere:

DPS emphasizes that Arizona permit holders must contact each destination state to confirm recognition and conditions before carrying there. Many states recognize Arizona CCW permits, sometimes with conditions (resident permit only, age 21+ requirements, etc.).

Written reciprocity agreements:

A.R.S. § 13-3112(R) requires DPS to enter into written reciprocity agreements with other states only if that state requires an agreement for establishing mutual recognition. As of DPS's 2024 reciprocity table, Arizona has written agreements with Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and West Virginia.

One-way recognition:

Because Arizona allows permitless carry, reciprocity is largely a one-way concern for Arizona residents traveling out-of-state. The Arizona CCW permit is designed to meet other states' standards for recognition.

Federal Restrictions That Still Apply in Arizona

Federal law supersedes state permitless carry in certain contexts:

Federal facilities: 18 U.S.C. § 930 prohibits firearms in federal facilities such as federal courthouses, certain federal office buildings, and secured areas. This includes federal buildings located in Arizona.

Post offices: 39 C.F.R. § 232.1(l) generally prohibits firearms and other dangerous weapons on U.S. Postal Service property, including Arizona post offices and their parking lots, except for official purposes.

School zones: The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)) restricts firearm possession within 1,000 feet of K-12 school grounds. Exceptions exist for persons licensed by the state and for possession on private property. Arizona's CCW permit qualifies as a "license" for this exception, while permitless carry alone does not.

Interstate travel: 18 U.S.C. § 926A provides safe-passage protection for lawful interstate transport of unloaded, secured firearms through Arizona, provided the person is legally allowed to possess firearms at both origin and destination.

Recent Legal Changes or Trends

Constitutional carry longevity: Arizona adopted permitless carry in 2010 through SB 1108 and has not rolled it back. Arizona remains permitless for 21+ individuals who are not prohibited possessors.

State preemption continuation: A.R.S. § 13-3108 continues to limit local gun regulation. Recent commentary emphasizes enforcement against local ordinances that conflict with state law, but there have been no fundamental statutory reversals in the last 2–3 years.

Administrative updates: DPS announced updated credential designs in 2024 for concealed weapons permits and other DPS-issued cards, indicating administrative modernization rather than substantive legal changes to CCW requirements.

Post-Bruen stability: Arizona courts and Ninth Circuit decisions over the last several years have addressed weapons misconduct and prohibited-possessor issues, but there is no reported decision striking down the constitutional-carry framework or CCW statute. Most post-Bruen litigation has focused on other states' may-issue or sensitive-places laws.

Current practice: Ongoing practice notes stress the continued importance of age 21+, prohibited-possessor restrictions, and compliance with bar/restaurant signage and school-ground rules, rather than any tightening of general concealed-carry eligibility.

Common Misunderstandings About Concealed Carry in Arizona

"Arizona allows anyone 18+ to carry concealed."

False. While 18- to 20-year-olds may possess firearms in some circumstances, constitutional carry in public is tied to being 21 or older. Secondary analyses of A.R.S. § 13-3102 note that carrying a deadly weapon in public under age 21 can be misconduct involving weapons.

"Arizona is permitless, so 'no guns' signs don't matter."

False. A.R.S. § 4-229 specifically gives properly posted "no firearms allowed pursuant to A.R.S. section 4-229" signs in liquor-licensed premises force of law. Carrying a firearm past such a sign can be an offense. Additionally, if an event or establishment asks a person to remove or secure a weapon and the person refuses, that refusal can constitute misconduct involving weapons under A.R.S. § 13-3102.01, even apart from the sign itself.

"Having a permit means I can ignore bar and restaurant restrictions."

False. Even CCW permit holders must obey A.R.S. § 4-229. Properly posted bars and similar establishments can prohibit firearms, and carrying in violation of the sign or while drinking alcohol can result in criminal charges. DPS stresses that permit holders are responsible for understanding and following all relevant laws, including those governing locations and alcohol.

"Because carry is permitless, there's no reason to get an Arizona CCW."

False. The CCW permit under A.R.S. § 13-3112 provides significant benefits, including formal recognition of firearm competence and access to reciprocity in other states that require a permit. The permit also helps with federal Gun-Free School Zones Act compliance by making the holder a "licensed" person under state law when within 1,000 feet of a school, something permitless status alone does not provide.

"Arizona's permitless carry means I don't need to answer police questions about carrying."

Misleading. A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1)(b) and (M) require that a person must accurately answer if a peace officer, who is detaining the person based on reasonable suspicion of an offense, asks whether he or she is carrying a concealed weapon. This is the only requirement under permitless carry, but it is a legal obligation.

Practical Notes for Concealed Carriers in Arizona

Consider obtaining an optional permit even though it's not required for carry in Arizona. An Arizona CCW provides reciprocity in many other states and satisfies the federal school zone licensing exception under 18 U.S.C. § 922(q), which permitless carry does not.

Verify current reciprocity before traveling. While Arizona recognizes all other state permits (with conditions), not all states recognize Arizona permits or permitless carry. Check the destination state's specific requirements, especially whether they honor non-resident permits or only resident credentials.

Understand signage requirements. A.R.S. § 4-229 creates specific legal force for properly posted signs in liquor-licensed establishments. These signs must meet statutory requirements (pictogram, specific language, location). Generic "no guns" signs on other private property operate through trespass law rather than independent criminal force, but refusing to leave when asked can still result in criminal charges.

School grounds have limited exceptions. While A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(12) generally prohibits firearms on school grounds, exceptions exist for unloaded firearms in locked vehicle compartments. This exception allows permit holders and permitless carriers to have secured firearms in vehicles on school property.

Federal restrictions remain in force. State permitless carry does not override federal law in federal facilities, post offices, or under the Gun-Free School Zones Act. Be aware of federal property boundaries and school zone distances even when carrying legally under Arizona law.

Prohibited possessor status is strictly enforced. If you fall into any prohibited possessor category under A.R.S. § 13-3101, you may not possess firearms at all—permitless carry does not apply to you. This includes individuals with certain felony convictions, those under indictment, individuals adjudicated mentally incompetent, and those unlawfully present in the United States.

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Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about Arizona concealed carry laws and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently, and enforcement practices vary. Always verify current statutes and regulations with official Arizona sources, such as the Arizona Department of Public Safety or the Arizona Legislature, before making carry decisions. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.