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.
The Arizona Constitution states: “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."
Learn more about Arizona gun control laws in the table below. See Details on State Gun Control Laws for more general information.
Relevant Statutes (Laws)
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Illegal Arms
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The following firearms are illegal to own in Arizona:
- Automatic weapons
- Rifle with a barrel less than 16 inches or a shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches
- Any firearm made from a rifle or shotgun which as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches
- A device made or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm
- Firearm capable of shooting one or more shots automatically without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger
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Waiting Period
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There is no waiting period to purchase a firearm in Arizona. |
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Who May Not Own
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The following persons can't own a firearm:
- Anyone with a felony conviction or an adjudication of delinquency for a felony (unless their civil rights have been restored)
- Anyone found to constitute a danger to himself or others pursuant to a court order and whose court-ordered treatment has not been terminated
- Anyone who has been found incompetent
- Anyone who is imprisoned or in a correctional/detention facility
- People who are in the country illegally or people with a nonimmigrant visa.
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License Required?
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You don't need a license to own or purchase a firearm in Arizona. |
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Concealed Carry License Required?
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You don't need a license to carry a concealed firearm in Arizona. |
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Open Carried Allowed?
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Open carry is allowed in Arizona. |
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Eligibility for a Concealed Carry License
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The Arizona Department of Public Safety will issue you a permit if you:
- Are at least 21 years old
- Are a United States citizen or an Arizona resident
- Are lawfully present in the United States
- Don't have a felony charge or conviction
- Don't suffer from mental illness or have not been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent
- Demonstrate firearm competence
Arizona accepts a concealed firearm permit issued by other states if the license holder is legally present in the state and is not otherwise prohibited from owning a firearm.
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Machine Gun Laws
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It's illegal to possess, transfer, or sell a machine gun in Arizona unless it's compliant with federal law. |
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Penalties for Illegal Firearm Possession
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- Possessing a firearm with a felony conviction is a class 4 felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison.
- Possessing a prohibited firearm is a class 4 felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison.
- It's a class 3 misdemeanor for a person under the age of 21 to possess a weapon.
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Penalties for Illegal Possession on or Near School Grounds
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Possessing a firearm on or near school grounds could be a class 1 misdemeanor (up to six months in jail) or a class 6 felony (up to 1 year in prison). |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an 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.