{"id":371550,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:22","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-gun-control-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-30T09:25:28","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T14:25:28","slug":"arizona-gun-control-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-gun-control-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Gun Control Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arizona Gun Control Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Maddy Teka, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Arizona gun control laws are among the least restrictive in the United States. In 2010, Arizona was one of the first states to enact a permitless or constitutional carry law. As a result, Arizona allows any person 21 years or older, who is not a prohibited possessor, to carry a firearm openly or concealed without the need for a concealed weapons permit.<\/p>\r\n

Arizona, like other states, has struggled to prevent mass shootings and gun violence. In 2011, an armed man appeared at a public event at a Tucson area Safeway store parking lot. He shot Gabrielle Giffords, a member of Congress who represented Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, along with 18 others.<\/p>\r\n

Six of the victims, including a federal court judge, died from their injuries. Giffords recovered from a gunshot wound to her head after surgery and months of therapy. She later left Congress and founded the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Although lawmakers spoke out against the assassination attempt and loss of life, it did not lead to changes in Arizona gun laws.<\/p>\r\n

Federal Firearms Law<\/h2>\r\n

Both federal and state laws address the possession, carrying, and use of firearms.<\/p>\r\n

Federal law regulates the ownership and use of certain dangerous weapons, including machine guns and devices like bump stocks<\/a>, which cause a semi-automatic rifle to fire like a fully automatic weapon.<\/p>\r\n

The federal government also licenses firearms dealers and bans the possession of firearms by certain persons like convicted felons and those using illegal drugs.<\/p>\r\n

Efforts by both the federal and state governments to regulate firearms must comply with the Second Amendment rights of gun owners to bear arms for lawful purposes such as self-defense.<\/p>\r\n

In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen<\/a><\/i>. In Bruen<\/i>, the Court held gun laws that burden the right to bear arms must be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. Gun rights advocates have filed new challenges to many federal and state gun regulations, citing the new historical test from Bruen<\/i>.<\/p>\r\n

Arizona Gun Laws<\/h2>\r\n

In Arizona, the state constitution also protects the right to bear arms. Firearm laws continue to reflect the state’s permissive approach to gun regulation.<\/p>\r\n

Arizona does not ban assault weapons. The state has no waiting period or licensing process for the purchase of a firearm. It does not require private gun sales or transfers to include a criminal background check. Private sellers must determine whether or not a potential buyer is a person prohibited from owning a firearm. <\/p>\r\n

Concealed Carry Laws<\/h3>\r\n

States like Arizona that have permitless handgun carry laws operate on the honor system. They presume that citizens know when the law prohibits them from having a firearm and will comply. Such laws have replaced prior concealed carry permit laws that required a person to pass a criminal background check and complete a firearms safety training course before they received permission to carry a concealed firearm.<\/p>\r\n

Even though Arizona is a permitless carry state, it maintains its concealed carry weapons (CCW) permit process for purposes of reciprocity with other states. For that reason, many individuals still seek the issuance of CCW permits.<\/p>\r\n

The Arizona Department of Public Safety<\/a> (DPS) accepts applications for such permits. Arizona is a "shall issue" state, which means that the DPS must issue a permit to individuals who meet the objective criteria outlined in the statute. You can apply online or by mailing the application packet to the DPS in Phoenix.<\/p>\r\n

Location Restrictions<\/h3>\r\n

Like other states, the state of Arizona provides certain limitations on possessing and carrying firearms. Arizona law prohibits taking firearms into the following locations:<\/p>\r\n