How to Legally Carry Your Concealed Handgun in Arizona

Arizona is a “Permitless Carry” state. Anyone over the age of 18 who is allowed to lawfully own a handgun in Arizona can open carry, and anyone over the age of 21 can carry a concealed firearm without a permit.

Any handgun, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, or other weapons that will expel, is designed to expel, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive is legal to carry openly or concealed in Arizona.

Concealed carry licenses issued in any other jurisdiction will be recognized in Arizona. Here is a list of all accepted states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New York City, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Arizona and Non-Resident CCW Permits

When it comes to obtaining a permit, Arizona does not differentiate between residents and non-residents. Candidates from other states need not attend training or submit their applications in person in Arizona. 

If the applicant can demonstrate competency with a handgun using one of the acceptable ways indicated in the training requirements section in their home state, they may request an application through email and submit it via the mail.

States Who Accept Arizona’s CCW Permits

The following 37 states honor Arizona’s CCW Permit: 

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

If you live in any of these states and have a valid Arizona CCW card, you are allowed to carry a concealed handgun. It will allow you to carry in 37 other states and in places where open carry and/or Constitutional Carry are not permitted, such as bars and restaurants serving alcoholic beverages and schools.

Here are a few instances in which CCW reciprocity could affect you:

TRAVELING WITH A CONCEALED WEAPON

Your firearm may be a crucial tool for self-defense. When you’re far from home, especially if it’s a location you’ve never been to before, you might worry about your security. In certain instances, you might wish to have a hidden firearm. 

Think about whether or not you have a gun in your vehicle. If you are traveling between numerous states, you need to investigate what the regulations are regarding concealed carry in cars. 

Having a CCW card in Arizona will give you peace of mind in the states that have reciprocity. Of course, you should still research any applicable laws and regulations.

Moving Across States with a Firearm

Packing up your entire life and migrating to a new location is what we call “moving.” Your new place of residence is most likely to be in a different state. 

Relocating is often a tense and demanding experience. Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about whether or not you need a concealed carry permit in your new state to carry a pistol. 

Your new state of residence or any states you travel through may be covered by Arizona’s CCW reciprocity. You should research the local legislation in the place you plan to settle in as well as any states you plan to travel through. 

Having an Arizona CCW will buy you some time until you need to apply for a resident permit in your new state, so you may relax.