Arizona law recognizes citizens’ right to carry concealed firearms; however, certain restrictions may exist.
Arizona stands out as an easy place for gun owners, allowing those aged 21 or over without prohibited possessor status to carry firearms without needing a permit in public spaces. This makes the state one of the least restrictive states nationwide.
Open Carry
Arizona is an open carry state, allowing its residents to legally possess and transport guns without a permit. There are some restrictions regarding where guns may be carried into bars and restaurants in Arizona; additionally, federal buildings do not allow firearms.
Additionally, firearms must be unloaded and locked away securely in either your trunk or another container that is not your car’s glove compartment or center console. An exception would be traveling to or from locations that allow legal gun carriage, such as a range, shooting event, or hunting area.
At least 21 years old are permitted to carry firearms in public openly; the weapon should be visible from where you stand or in its holster or case. Any type of firearm or ammunition given or sold to those under 18 is illegal; Arizona also has a “stand your ground” law which protects their right to defend themselves with force should their lives come under threat, while it would still be wise not to carry an openly loaded gun under the influence of alcohol or any substance that can impair judgment and decrease reaction times.
Arizona stands out from most other states by not requiring background checks or gun registration when purchasing firearms from private sellers or individuals, nor by mandating that buyers need a permit before doing so.
Assault Weapons
Arizona law does not explicitly define or ban “assault weapons,” yet it has several laws related to firearm ownership and use. These include age restrictions on purchase and possession; carrying guns in specific locations prohibited by local ordinances; federal regulations covering long gun sales; as well as preemption laws that prevent local governments from passing their gun legislation.
People may legally openly carry firearms in most situations; however, those aged 18 years or over can do so legally. Furthermore, purchasing from licensed gun sellers requires 21-year-olds with valid concealed carry permits. Both state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution affirm a person’s right to bear arms which has influenced state gun laws.
Arizona law includes “stand-your-ground” laws to promote self-defense. These laws remove any requirement to retreat in specific instances, permitting individuals to employ lethal force when faced with imminent bodily harm or even death threats.
State law also prohibits selling, producing, and possessing weapons such as grenades, bombs, Molotov cocktails, and similar devices that may explode, burn, poison others, and machine guns that fire multiple rounds with one pull on the trigger.
Individuals may keep weapons locked and out of reach while driving between work sites in their private vehicles, although they must remain out of the glove box or center console and cannot leave carrying an unsecured weapon. State statutes do not address the storage of guns in employee parking lots, although property owners can establish policies regarding this matter.
Sawed-Off Weapons
Arizona generally allows its citizens to possess certain weapons; however, Arizona law expressly forbids some, such as automatic and modified firearms, undetectable weapons, nunchaku, and improvised explosive devices. Arizona defines deadly weapons as anything capable of inflicting serious or life-threatening injury; in addition, carrying any weapon on school property is illegal even if concealed from view.
Sawed-off shotguns are weapons crafted by shortening down their original length to be either semiautomatic or manually operated, and they were used often by Confederate cavalry during the American Civil War for firing single balls at close range or short distances. Such firearms are now popularly employed by police forces and military entry teams to clear buildings or vehicles in close-quarter combat situations.
Arizona and federal law have stricter restrictions regarding sawed-off weapons than Arizona does, requiring any sawed-off shotgun to be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms before it can be purchased or sold; selling or giving such weapons without an appropriate permit to own is unlawful.
Brandishing sawed-off weapons is illegal under public law. Holding or waving it around is considered a misdemeanor with penalties up to one year in jail or probation for first-time offenders, with up to four years imprisonment for second offenses. Aggravated assault may also apply if an individual displays their weapon with intent not meant to protect themselves or others.
Silencers
Arizona stands out among southwestern states for its progressive gun rights legislation, and residents are free to own an impressive variety of weapons. According to state law, “firearm” refers to any handgun, pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun which uses explosives as its power source to projectile fire – except air-powered guns such as BB guns and machine guns (any weapon which automatically fires multiple shots without needing manual loading each shot individually).
Arizona Senate recently passed legislation making it easier to own what some may refer to as silencers (more accurately termed suppressors). House members still must vote on it.
The bill would remove firearm-like devices from Arizona’s list of restricted weapons as they are already legal under federal law and do not serve any unlawful purpose in crime. It has the backing of Arizona Citizen Defense League.
Since federal regulators already regulate suppressors, having two sets of rules makes little sense. Furthermore, no evidence exists to prove suppressors were ever used in criminal acts and even gunshot sounds can often help victims discern when to run or hide during mass shootings. The bill is expected to pass both houses of legislature before being sent on for review by Gov. Kate Hobbs.
Ammunition
Arizona is widely known for having some of the laxest gun laws in the country, and that includes ammunition restrictions. Arizona defines a firearm as any weapon which uses explosives to expel projectiles; there are no restrictions placed upon what types of ammunition people may own in Arizona; that includes specialty rounds like armor-piercing bullets.
State law permits permitless carry, which means anyone legally owning and having completed safety training can carry their weapon on them without needing a license. Training courses offered by state or national organizations (National Rifle Association or Military/Law Enforcement Training can count). Furthermore, no identifying information from people owning, transporting, selling, or buying firearms and ammunition in Washington.
State laws do not mandate locking devices – devices which block a gun’s chamber to stop it being fired – to be included with firearm sales or used by law-abiding gun owners, nor restrict large capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.
Some of the nation’s most populous states have passed stricter gun laws in an effort to safeguard their residents, with some having banned assault rifles and passing universal background checks while requiring sellers to obtain parental permission before selling guns to juveniles. If these policies infringe upon your Second Amendment rights, get in touch with an experienced gun lawyer today so they can explain your legal options.
