Arizona Reciprocity Map

Individuals 21 years and older can legally carry a firearm concealed without a Concealed Weapons Permit in Arizona.

In Arizona, individuals are not required to retreat before using ordinary or deadly force if they are in a lawful place and not engaged in illegal activity.

The use of deadly force is not justified solely for the purpose of protecting property.

Deadly force can only be justified in specific circumstances, such as self-defense, defense of others, or particular instances of crime prevention.

Arizona does not have extreme risk or red flag laws that permit law enforcement or family members to petition a court order to temporarily restrict someone in crisis from accessing firearms.

Officials lack the ability to deny a firearm sale because the buyer is considered a danger to public safety.

In Arizona, no permit is required to purchase a handgun, whether from a private individual or a licensed dealer, but there are age restrictions.

Individuals must be at least 18 to buy a firearm from a private individual and 21 to purchase one from a licensed dealer.

No waiting periods that require individuals purchasing firearms to wait a specified amount of time before finalizing a purchase.

No mandate requires prospective firearm purchasers to complete a training course before making a purchase.

Arizona does not mandate background checks for private firearm sales. Although private firearm transfers do not necessitate background checks, federal and state laws still impose certain restrictions, including age limits.

Arizona only requires background checks when a gun purchase or transfer occurs through a licensed dealer.

Additionally, Arizona law prohibits the State and its political subdivisions from imposing any restrictions on transferring firearms between private parties who are not prohibited possessors under state or federal law.

Current Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit holders are exempt from background checks when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer.

No regulations to prevent gun sales from proceeding if the background check is still in progress after three business days.

Arizona does not require private firearm sellers to retain or report sale and background check records.

Arizona does not mandate secure storage or child access prevention measures for firearms.

Arizona does not require officials to trace firearms recovered by law enforcement officials during criminal investigations.

Arizona precludes towns and cities from establishing their own gun safety regulations. However, there are certain exceptions, including:

• Imposing privilege and use taxes on firearm and ammunition sales and rentals, like other tangible personal property;

• Requiring minors to be accompanied by an authorized adult when carrying firearms in public or on property they do not own or lease, with exceptions for activities like lawful hunting or shooting events for those 14 and over;

• Regulating commercial properties and structures such as gun shops or shooting ranges, similar to other businesses;

• Regulating employees or contractors while they are involved in work duties;

• Limiting or prohibiting the discharge of firearms in certain parks and preserves.

The Arizona state budget does not provide funding for community violence intervention programs, and Arizona does not have a dedicated office for these programs or prevention.

Arizona's Castle Doctrine grants individuals the right to use ordinary or deadly force to defend themselves, their family, or their property within their residence or its immediate surroundings if they reasonably believe they are in imminent danger.

Individuals within their residence or its immediate surroundings who reasonably believe they are in imminent danger are not required to retreat before using ordinary or deadly force.

Individuals can use ordinary force to protect themselves or others when and to the extent a reasonable person would believe that ordinary force is immediately necessary to defend against the use or attempted use of unlawful force.

An individual may justifiably threaten or use deadly force against another if they reasonably believe that such force is immediately necessary to protect themselves or others from unlawful force or its attempted use.

The individual must have a reasonable belief that they or another is in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury.

The force employed must be proportionate to the threat. Additionally, individuals engaged in unlawful activities cannot claim self-defense as a justification for using deadly force, unless they first retreat.

Individuals may threaten or use both ordinary and deadly force against another if they reasonably believe that such force is immediately necessary to prevent certain significant felonies, such as child molestation, armed robbery, or aggravated assault.

Individuals may use ordinary force when and to the extent that a reasonable person would believe it necessary to prevent theft or criminal damage involving tangible movable property.

Individuals who have legal possession or control of a property are allowed to threaten to use ordinary or deadly force if they believe it is immediately necessary to prevent or stop a criminal trespass on their premises.

Arizona statutes specifically allow defensive displays of firearms.

Arizona only requires background checks when a gun purchase or transfer occurs through a licensed dealer.

In general, the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights is a legal protection meant to safeguard law enforcement personnel from unwarranted investigations and prosecutions related to their official duties through established procedural safeguards.

The use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer is justified under the following circumstances:

• If an officer reasonably believes that a suspect is about to cause death or serious injury to themselves, the officer, or another person.

• If the past or current conduct of the individual, known to the officer, indicates that the person is likely to endanger human life or inflict serious bodily injury on another unless they are apprehended immediately.

• If an individual participating in a riot is armed with a deadly weapon.

• If a suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to escape using deadly force or has the apparent capacity to do so.

• If a suspect has committed, attempted to commit, is committing, or is attempting to commit a felony that involves the use or threatened use of a deadly weapon.

• If the person is a felon who has escaped from lawful confinement, is fleeing from justice, or is resisting arrest with physical force.

In Arizona, qualified immunity protects public entities and their employees from liability in certain situations, primarily regarding discretionary actions, such as the decision not to make an arrest or injuries resulting from escaped prisoners.

Still, this immunity is not absolute, as it does not apply if a public employee acted with willful intent or gross negligence.

Certain provisions require or allow officials to report disqualifying mental health records into the background check system.

In Arizona, individuals engaged in justified conduct are not subject to civil liability.

In Arizona, no permit or license is required to carry a concealed or open firearm. Individuals aged 18 years or older can open carry, while those 21 years and older can carry a firearm concealed.

Although Arizona is a “constitutional carry” state, meaning individuals can concealed carry firearms without a permit, the state does offer a Concealed Weapons Permit.

Constitutional carry generally means an individual is allowed to carry loaded, concealed firearms in public within that state without first undergoing a background check, obtaining a license, or receiving any firearms training.

Arizona is a shall issue state, meaning that the Arizona Department of Public Safety cannot deny a Concealed Weapons Permit application if the applicant meets all statutory requirements.

Arizona does not require individuals to register their firearms, and local jurisdictions cannot create laws that enforce such a requirement.

Arizona law does not mandate private citizens to report lost or stolen firearms. Still, some local jurisdictions, such as Pima County, have implemented their own reporting requirements.

Arizona does not restrict public carry of firearms on state capitol grounds.

The state does not restrict the public carrying of firearms during political protests or other public demonstrations.

In Arizona, individuals with a valid Concealed Weapons Permit are generally allowed to carry firearms into bars or restaurants that serve alcohol. However, this is only permissible if the individual does not consume alcohol and the establishment has not posted a sign that prohibits firearms.

Establishments can ban firearms by displaying a clear and conspicuous notice at the entrance. If such a notice is present, it is illegal to carry a firearm, whether concealed or openly.

Arizona does not prohibit individuals with assault or other violent misdemeanor convictions from carrying concealed firearms.

Still, a court may order the relinquishment of firearms as part of a protective order related to a domestic violence conviction.

Similarly, individuals on state or federal probation for a domestic violence conviction may not possess firearms.

Arizona law does not explicitly address firearms in hotels. Each hotel establishes its own policies regarding concealed carry, so it's best to contact the individual hotel for its specific rules.

Arizona has no regulations regarding how firearms may be openly carried in public.

Arizona is a constitutional carry state, meaning no permit or license is required to open carry or concealed carry firearms.

Under Arizona law, individuals over the age of 18 may open carry a firearm. Individuals over the age of 21 are allowed to concealed carry without a permit or license.

The minimum age to possess and transport a firearm in Arizona is 18.

If an individual sells or transfers a firearm, ammunition, or a toy gun that can shoot dangerous substances to a minor without written permission from the minor’s parent or legal guardian, they may face felony charges.

Under Arizona law, firearms are generally prohibited in the following locations, with some exceptions for peace officers:

• Businesses serving alcohol for on-premises consumption (unless posted otherwise).

• Election day polling locations.

• K-12 public school grounds.

• Commercial nuclear and hydroelectric generating stations.

• Military installations.

• Indian reservations.

• Game preserves.

• National parks.

• Federal buildings.

• Correctional facilities.

• Airports (including checkpoints).

• Locations where federal, state, or local laws prohibit firearms.

Arizona does not have a specific law that restricts concealed firearms on college and university campuses. Consequently, each college and university can decide whether to permit concealed handguns on their campus or within their buildings.

For example, the Arizona Board of Regents policy, which applies to public universities, prohibits possessing or storing weapons on campus, with limited exceptions.

Arizona law prohibits individuals from possessing a firearm on the premises of any public or private kindergarten, elementary school, or high school unless the firearm is used in a program approved by the school and by a person authorized by the state to carry a firearm.

According to regulations governing the right to carry firearms, concealed carry is legal in state parks. However, firearms are not permitted in any buildings that house federal or state offices.

For more information, refer to the National Parks webpage related to Arizona parks.

In Arizona, both open carry and concealed carry of firearms are generally allowed. However, certain locations, such as places of worship like churches, may have their own policies that restrict or prohibit carrying firearms.

While state law does not explicitly ban firearms in churches, individual religious institutions can create their own rules, which may limit or even prohibit the carrying of firearms, even for those who hold a Concealed Weapons Permit.

Individuals transporting firearms in a vehicle within Arizona must adhere to specific age, storage, and location guidelines.

Individuals 21 and older may transport a loaded concealed firearm without a permit.

Individuals aged 18 to 20 may openly carry loaded firearms in their vehicles as long as the firearm is visible to people outside the vehicle. Non-visible firearms must be transported in a case, holster, scabbard, or storage compartment such as the trunk or glove compartment.

While Arizona has general laws regarding firearms, private property owners can impose their own restrictions.

In Arizona, individuals carrying a concealed weapon must accurately respond if a peace officer inquires whether they possess a concealed weapon. However, individuals are not required to volunteer that information unless directly questioned.

Assault weapons are not prohibited in Arizona. Citizens may purchase certain assault-style weapons originally designed for military use.

Arizona permits the use of replacement shoulder stocks for semi-automatic rifles that utilize recoil to allow rapid firing of shots.

Auto sears, often referred to as “Glock Switches,” modify the trigger mechanisms of semi-automatic pistols and rifles to allow for continuous firing. These devices are legal in Arizona.

Ownership of suppressors is legal in Arizona.

Arizona has no state restrictions on purchasing gun magazines that exceed a certain size.

No limitations on magazine capacity in Arizona.

New handgun models sold in Arizona do not require childproofing features.

New handgun models sold in Arizona do not require microstamping technology.

Arizona does not prohibit individuals convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes from owning firearms.

Individuals with assault or other violent misdemeanor convictions are allowed to possess firearms.

Still, individuals serving a term of probation under a conviction for a domestic violence offense may not possess firearms.

Arizona does not mandate that individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence relinquish their firearms.

However, a court may order the relinquishment of firearms as part of a protective order related to a domestic violence conviction.

No legal obligation for individuals involved in domestic violence incidents to surrender firearms when a restraining order is issued unless specified in the order.

Arizona mandates implementing programs to assess and identify individuals whose behavior may pose a threat and intervene when necessary.

Lawsuits against manufacturers and dealers for harm caused by their misconduct are prohibited in Arizona.

In Arizona, firearm dealers are not required to obtain a state license.

Arizona does not mandate regulation of ghost gun parts, allowing firearm parts to be sold without serial numbers or background checks.

New handgun models sold in Arizona do not require microstamping technology.

In Arizona, possession of automatic weapons (firearms capable of firing one or more rounds automatically with a single function of the trigger) is prohibited, unless acting in compliance with federal law.

It is illegal to own a defaced deadly weapon in Arizona.

Individuals who have been involuntarily committed or determined to be a danger to themselves or others are prohibited from possessing firearms in Arizona.

Arizona prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms.

First-time felony offenders generally have their civil rights, including firearms rights, automatically restored after completing their sentence.

Repeat felony offenders can petition the court to restore their firearm rights.

Individuals convicted of stalking are not automatically prohibited from possessing firearms.

Nevertheless, a court may issue an order of protection against someone for stalking, which may prohibit the individual from possessing or purchasing firearms for the duration of the order.

It is illegal to possess, transfer, or sell a machine gun in Arizona unless acting in compliance with federal law.

Owning a rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches is illegal.

Owning a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches is illegal.

It is illegal to own any firearm made from a rifle or shotgun that has been modified to a total length of less than 26 inches.

In Arizona, courts have the authority to prohibit a defendant from owning or purchasing a firearm while a protective order for domestic violence is active.

This restriction may be imposed if the court determines that the defendant poses a reasonable threat to the physical safety of the plaintiff or other named individuals.