Arizona gun control laws are among the least-restrictive in the United States. Arizona law states that any person 21 years or older, who is not a prohibited possessor, may carry a weapon openly or concealed without the need for a license. (A concealed carry permit is required in most other states.)
To get a concealed-weapons permit in Arizona, individuals must be 21 or older, a legal U.S. resident, have no felony convictions or mental illness, and must complete a firearms safety course. There are no minimum requirements for what a safety course must include and no requirement for hands-on training with a gun. Several companies offer online classes.
The Arizona Constitution also has this provision: “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the State shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain, or employ an armed body of men.†[Article 2, Section 26.]
Learn more about Arizona gun control laws in the table below. See Details on State Gun Control Laws for more general information.
| Code Section | 13-3101, 3102 |
| Illegal Arms | Automatic weapons, rifle with barrel less than 16 inches or shotgun barrel less than 18 inches, or any firearm made from rifle/shotgun which as modified has overall length of less than 26 inches, device made or adapted to muffle the report of firearm; firearm capable of shooting one or more shots automatically without manual reloading, by a single function of trigger |
| Waiting Period | None |
| Who May Not Own | 1. Anyone found to constitute a danger to himself or others pursuant to court order and whose court-ordered treatment has not been terminated by court order; 2. Convicted felon involving violence or possession and use of deadly weapon or dangerous instrument and whose civil rights have not been restored; 3. Imprisoned or in correctional/detention facility |
| Law Prohibiting Firearms On or Near School Grounds | Misdemeanor or Felony. 13-3102(A)(12) |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- please contact an Arizona criminal defense attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Arizona Criminal Laws Related Resources:
Learn More About Arizona Gun Control Laws from an Attorney
Gun control is a controversial subject in the U.S. Some people believe in strict gun control laws, while others have a more expansive view of who should be allowed to own a gun. Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, if you have questions about gun control laws in Arizona, you should speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney near you.
