Question 1

Is Arizona a constitutional carry state?

Accepted Answer

Yes for adults 21 and older. Arizona's weapons-misconduct law makes concealed carry of a deadly weapon (other than a pocket knife) a crime only in limited situations: when it furthers a serious offense, violent crime or other felony (class 6 felony), or when the person fails to answer truthfully after a law enforcement officer, during a lawful contact, asks whether they are carrying a concealed weapon (class 1 misdemeanor). Carrying a concealed deadly weapon on the person or within immediate control in a vehicle by a person 'under twenty-one years of age' is a class 3 misdemeanor. Prohibited possessors may not possess firearms at all.

Question 2

How do you get a concealed carry permit in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Concealed weapons permit (CCW), optional, issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Shall-issue: DPS 'shall issue a permit to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions.' Applicant must be 21 or older, or at least 19 with evidence of current military service or an honorable (or general under honorable conditions) discharge; be an Arizona resident or a U.S. citizen (DPS must prioritize in-state residents); not be a prohibited possessor; and demonstrate competence with a firearm through one of the options in § 13-3112(N) (such as a DPS-approved firearms safety course, a hunter safety course, an NRA course, or military service). DPS must finish qualification checks within 60 days and issue within 15 working days after that if the applicant qualifies. The permit is valid for five years and is renewable every five years. Fees (DPS): $60.00 new; $43.00 renewal; $10.00 replacement card or profile change.

Question 3

Is open carry legal in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Arizona has no state law that requires a permit to carry a firearm openly; the concealed-carry restriction for people under 21 (§ 13-3102(A)(2)) applies to concealed weapons. Unemancipated minors under 18 may not knowingly carry or possess a firearm in any place open to the public, on streets or highways, or on private property other than property of the minor's parent, grandparent or guardian, unless accompanied by a parent, grandparent, guardian or certified instructor (with parental consent), with exceptions for ages 14-17 for hunting, shooting events, practice and agricultural work. Carrying is barred at the places listed in prohibited_places.

Question 4

How old do you have to be to buy a gun in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

A person who sells or gives a firearm (or ammunition or a toy pistol) to a minor without the written consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian commits a class 6 felony; this applies to private transfers. Temporary transfers by safety instructors, coaches, or an adult accompanying a minor on a hunt or target outing, with parental consent, are allowed. Unemancipated persons under 18 may not carry or possess a firearm in public places or on others' private property unless accompanied or within listed exceptions. § 13-3109 does not itself define 'minor'.

Question 5

Do private gun sales need a background check in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Arizona has no state law that requires a background check, permit or license for private (non-dealer) firearm sales. Selling or transferring a deadly weapon to a prohibited possessor is a class 6 felony. State law says 'Nothing in this section requires the reporting of firearm sales,' and cities and counties may not require licensing or registration of firearms or keep records of people who buy, sell or transfer firearms.

Question 6

Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Arizona has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying a firearm. (Local governments may require businesses that take in used firearms by purchase, trade or consignment to hold them for up to ten days; this is not a waiting period for buyers.)

Question 7

Does Arizona have a red flag law?

Accepted Answer

Arizona has no state law that provides for extreme risk protection orders (red flag orders). In a domestic-violence order of protection, if the court finds the defendant is a credible threat to the physical safety of the plaintiff, it may prohibit the defendant from possessing or purchasing a firearm for the duration of the order and must order the defendant to transfer any firearm to law enforcement (within 24 hours after service if not done immediately); an order expires two years after service.

Question 8

Does Arizona ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines?

Accepted Answer

Arizona has no state law that bans assault weapons or limits magazine capacity. Automatic firearms, short-barreled rifles and shotguns and firearm silencers are 'prohibited weapons' unless possessed, made or transferred in compliance with federal law. Only the Legislature may regulate the possession, transfer or storage of firearms; local rules are preempted.

Question 9

Can you keep a gun in your car in Arizona without a permit?

Accepted Answer

Adults 21 and older who are not prohibited possessors may carry a firearm, loaded or concealed, in a vehicle without a permit; concealed carry in a vehicle is an offense only if it furthers a felony or the person fails to answer truthfully when an officer asks during a lawful contact. A person under 21 may not carry a concealed deadly weapon 'within his immediate control in or on a means of transportation' (class 3 misdemeanor). On school grounds, a firearm in a vehicle is allowed only if it is unloaded, carried in a vehicle under an adult's control, and, if the adult leaves the vehicle, the firearm is not visible and the vehicle is locked.

Question 10

Which states' carry permits does Arizona honor?

Accepted Answer

Arizona honors all states' permits on conditions: Arizona 'shall recognize' a concealed weapon, firearm or handgun permit or license issued by another state if it is recognized as valid in the issuing state and the holder is legally present in Arizona and not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm here. An out-of-state permit holder may not carry in Arizona if under 21 or under indictment for or convicted of a felony (unless expunged, set aside, vacated or rights restored). DPS enters written agreements with states that require one.

Question 11

Where can't you carry a gun in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Arizona prohibits: possessing a deadly weapon on school grounds (class 1 misdemeanor; exceptions include an unloaded firearm in a locked vehicle, school-approved programs, and hunter or firearm safety courses); entering an election polling place on election day carrying a deadly weapon (class 1 misdemeanor); entering a nuclear or hydroelectric generating station carrying a deadly weapon; and entering a public establishment or public event carrying a deadly weapon after a reasonable request by the operator or sponsor to surrender it for secure storage (class 1 misdemeanor). A liquor-licensed (on-sale) business may post a statutory sign; once it does, no one may carry a firearm on those premises. Without such a sign, a concealed handgun may be carried on on-sale premises.

Question 12

Are ghost guns legal in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Arizona has no state law that specifically regulates unserialized or homemade firearms or firearm kits. Defacing a deadly weapon (which includes removing, altering or destroying the manufacturer's serial number), or knowingly possessing a defaced deadly weapon, is a class 6 felony.

Permitless (constitutional) carry	Yes for adults 21 and older. Arizona's weapons-misconduct law makes concealed carry of a deadly weapon (other than a pocket knife) a crime only in limited situations: when it furthers a serious offense, violent crime or other felony (class 6 felony), or when the person fails to answer truthfully after a law enforcement officer, during a lawful contact, asks whether they are carrying a concealed weapon (class 1 misdemeanor). Carrying a concealed deadly weapon on the person or within immediate control in a vehicle by a person 'under twenty-one years of age' is a class 3 misdemeanor. Prohibited possessors may not possess firearms at all. Source: A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1), (A)(2), (M)
Concealed carry permit	Concealed weapons permit (CCW), optional, issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Shall-issue: DPS 'shall issue a permit to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions.' Applicant must be 21 or older, or at least 19 with evidence of current military service or an honorable (or general under honorable conditions) discharge; be an Arizona resident or a U.S. citizen (DPS must prioritize in-state residents); not be a prohibited possessor; and demonstrate competence with a firearm through one of the options in § 13-3112(N) (such as a DPS-approved firearms safety course, a hunter safety course, an NRA course, or military service). DPS must finish qualification checks within 60 days and issue within 15 working days after that if the applicant qualifies. The permit is valid for five years and is renewable every five years. Fees (DPS): $60.00 new; $43.00 renewal; $10.00 replacement card or profile change. Fees: https://www.azdps.gov/services/public-services-center/concealed-weapons-and-permits Source: A.R.S. § 13-3112(A), (E), (I), (K), (N); Arizona DPS Concealed Weapons and Permits page
Open carry	Arizona has no state law that requires a permit to carry a firearm openly; the concealed-carry restriction for people under 21 (§ 13-3102(A)(2)) applies to concealed weapons. Unemancipated minors under 18 may not knowingly carry or possess a firearm in any place open to the public, on streets or highways, or on private property other than property of the minor's parent, grandparent or guardian, unless accompanied by a parent, grandparent, guardian or certified instructor (with parental consent), with exceptions for ages 14-17 for hunting, shooting events, practice and agricultural work. Carrying is barred at the places listed in prohibited_places. Reviewed A.R.S. Title 13, chapter 31 (Weapons and Explosives, §§ 13-3101 to 13-3122) on 2026-10-27; no open-carry permit provision found. Source: A.R.S. Title 13, ch. 31 (reviewed); A.R.S. §§ 13-3102, 13-3111
Guns in your car	Adults 21 and older who are not prohibited possessors may carry a firearm, loaded or concealed, in a vehicle without a permit; concealed carry in a vehicle is an offense only if it furthers a felony or the person fails to answer truthfully when an officer asks during a lawful contact. A person under 21 may not carry a concealed deadly weapon 'within his immediate control in or on a means of transportation' (class 3 misdemeanor). On school grounds, a firearm in a vehicle is allowed only if it is unloaded, carried in a vehicle under an adult's control, and, if the adult leaves the vehicle, the firearm is not visible and the vehicle is locked. Source: A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1)-(2), (I)(1)
Other states' permits (reciprocity)	Arizona honors all states' permits on conditions: Arizona 'shall recognize' a concealed weapon, firearm or handgun permit or license issued by another state if it is recognized as valid in the issuing state and the holder is legally present in Arizona and not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm here. An out-of-state permit holder may not carry in Arizona if under 21 or under indictment for or convicted of a felony (unless expunged, set aside, vacated or rights restored). DPS enters written agreements with states that require one. Statute: https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03112.htm Source: A.R.S. § 13-3112(Q)-(S); Arizona DPS Concealed Weapons and Permits page
Where guns are banned	Arizona prohibits: possessing a deadly weapon on school grounds (class 1 misdemeanor; exceptions include an unloaded firearm in a locked vehicle, school-approved programs, and hunter or firearm safety courses); entering an election polling place on election day carrying a deadly weapon (class 1 misdemeanor); entering a nuclear or hydroelectric generating station carrying a deadly weapon; and entering a public establishment or public event carrying a deadly weapon after a reasonable request by the operator or sponsor to surrender it for secure storage (class 1 misdemeanor). A liquor-licensed (on-sale) business may post a statutory sign; once it does, no one may carry a firearm on those premises. Without such a sign, a concealed handgun may be carried on on-sale premises. Liquor premises: https://www.azleg.gov/ars/4/00229.htm. Source: A.R.S. §§ 13-3102(A)(10)-(13), (H)-(I), (M); 4-229(A)-(C), (F)

Age to buy a gun	A person who sells or gives a firearm (or ammunition or a toy pistol) to a minor without the written consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian commits a class 6 felony; this applies to private transfers. Temporary transfers by safety instructors, coaches, or an adult accompanying a minor on a hunt or target outing, with parental consent, are allowed. Unemancipated persons under 18 may not carry or possess a firearm in public places or on others' private property unless accompanied or within listed exceptions. § 13-3109 does not itself define 'minor'. Source: A.R.S. §§ 13-3109(A), (C), 13-3111(A)-(B)
Background checks and private sales	Arizona has no state law that requires a background check, permit or license for private (non-dealer) firearm sales. Selling or transferring a deadly weapon to a prohibited possessor is a class 6 felony. State law says 'Nothing in this section requires the reporting of firearm sales,' and cities and counties may not require licensing or registration of firearms or keep records of people who buy, sell or transfer firearms. Reviewed A.R.S. Title 13, chapter 31 (Weapons and Explosives, §§ 13-3101 to 13-3122) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. Source: A.R.S. Title 13, ch. 31 (reviewed); A.R.S. §§ 13-3102(A)(5), (M), 13-3108(A)-(C), 13-3109(B)
Waiting period	Arizona has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying a firearm. (Local governments may require businesses that take in used firearms by purchase, trade or consignment to hold them for up to ten days; this is not a waiting period for buyers.) Reviewed A.R.S. Title 13, chapter 31 (Weapons and Explosives, §§ 13-3101 to 13-3122) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. Source: A.R.S. Title 13, ch. 31 (reviewed); A.R.S. § 13-3118(B)
Ghost guns and homemade firearms	Arizona has no state law that specifically regulates unserialized or homemade firearms or firearm kits. Defacing a deadly weapon (which includes removing, altering or destroying the manufacturer's serial number), or knowingly possessing a defaced deadly weapon, is a class 6 felony. Reviewed A.R.S. Title 13, chapter 31 (Weapons and Explosives, §§ 13-3101 to 13-3122) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. Source: A.R.S. Title 13, ch. 31 (reviewed); A.R.S. §§ 13-3101(A)(2), 13-3102(A)(6)-(7), (M)

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