Obtaining an Arizona concealed carry permit requires taking an approved firearms class, submitting the application with fingerprints, and paying a $60 fee. Any Arizona resident or U.S citizen is eligible as long as they are at least 21 years old and are permitted to possess a firearm. Arizona CCW permits remain valid for five years, and the majority of other states have reciprocity with Arizona.
In this article, our Arizona criminal defense attorneys answer the following FAQs about concealed carry laws:
Arizona allows people to carry concealed with no permit.
The first step of applying for an Arizona concealed weapons permit is to check eligibility. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. And they must be either a U.S. citizen or an Arizona resident with a green card. In addition, applicants may not:
The second step is to complete an approved firearms training class. The instructor must be approved by the Arizona Department of Public Safety or certified by the NRA.
Finally, applicants must fill out and submit the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s CCW permit application. As the instructions on the application state, applicants must also submit:
All applications must be mailed to the Concealed Weapons Permit Unit at:
Phoenix, AZ 85005
Applicants typically hear back within three months. Concealed firearm permits are valid for five years. As a shall issue state, Arizona provides permits to anyone who applies and qualifies. 1
Yes. Arizona gun laws do not require a concealed carry permit for people otherwise allowed to possess firearms to carry concealed handguns. No permit is required for open carry either. It does not matter whether the person is carrying for self-defense or not. 2
Yes. U.S. citizens who do not reside in Arizona may apply for a non-resident CCW permit in Arizona. 3
AZ CCW permits are valid for 5 years.
The following states permit people with current and valid Arizona CCW permits to conceal carry in their state. As noted below, some states honor only resident CCW permits and not non-resident ones. And some states – similar to Arizona – allow permitless carry.
In exchange, Arizona and its political subdivisions honor CCW permits from these reciprocal states.
Even though Arizona allows permitless concealed carry, many gun owners choose to obtain an Arizona CCW permit. This is because the permit allows them to:
And although it should not matter, law enforcement officers tend to be friendlier to and less suspicious of gun carriers who have a CCW permit. Having a permit indicates to police that the permit holder has completed a formal CCW class with a firearms instructor, and that the permit holder is more cautious about inflicting deadly force.
Note that there are certain places guns and most deadly weapons are always prohibited, such as correctional facilities, past security checkpoints in airports, polling places on election day, school grounds, and nuclear or hydroelectric generating stations. 4
People may renew their Arizona CCW permit through the state Department of Safety’s Renewal Application. The renewal fee is $43, and payment may be by cashier’s check, money order, or certified check made out to the AZ DPS. All applications must be mailed to:
Phoenix, AZ 85005
The renewal application is shorter than the new permit application. It is meant to check that the applicant has not become a prohibited possessor since the last CCW permit issuance.
Call our Arizona law firm for legal advice on your case. We offer free consultations on Arizona state law and federal law.
