Firearms FAQ’s

Review the Arizona concealed carry law, ARS 13-3112 and Arizona Administrative Rules R13-9-101 through R13-9-603. We recommend you also review ARS 13-3101 and Title 18 USC section 922(d & g) for complete eligibility criteria and ARS 13-3102, Misconduct Involving Weapons.

Contact Arizona Alcohol Traffic & Firearms at (888) 723-7078. Complete the 8-hour initial CCW course. The instructor will fill out the certificate of completion located on the CCW application. Ensure you fill out the rest of the application and affix your signature. Send the completed application, a fingerprint card, and the applicable fee to DPS. The instructor should provide a pre-addressed return envelope but if not, mail your materials to: DPS-CWPU P.O. Box 6488 Phoenix, AZ 85005-6488.

Applications are typically processed and permits issued/mailed within fourteen days of receipt. However, it can take up to 60 business days to complete all of the required qualification checks.

No. These are two distinct training courses developed to satisfy differing statutory requirements.

ARS 13-3112(E)(6) allows an exemption to the 8-hour course for the following: (a) a person who is an active duty Arizona peace officer standards and training (AZPOST) certified or federally credentialed peace officer; or who is honorably retired as a federal, state or local peace officer with a minimum of 10 years service; (b) a person who is an active duty county detention officer and who has been weapons certified by the officer’s employing agency; or (c) a person who is issued a Law Enforcement Officer’s Safety Act (LEOSA) Certificate of Firearms Proficiency pursuant to ARS 13-3112(X).

No.

No.

The eligibility requirements are clearly listed in ARS 13-3112. In addition to those requirements, an individual must not be a prohibited possessor as described in ARS 13-3101 and Title 18 USC section 922(d) and (g).

No. The resources of the CWPU may not be lawfully used to determine eligibility until receipt of the completed application (and any required documents) and fee.

The Concealed Weapon Permit Unit (CWPU) mails a courtesy renewal packet to customers whose permits are due to expire. The packet is mailed to the address on record approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date. The packet includes a renewal application and pre-addressed return envelope. Complete the renewal application, include the applicable fee, and mail them to DPS. No cash or personal checks please or your application will be returned causing a delay in processing.

If you have not received your courtesy renewal packet, you may download the renewal application from this site.

Please complete the application and submit it along with the applicable fee to: AZ DPS-CWPU P.O. Box 6488 Phoenix, AZ 85005-6488 Attn: Renewal.

If you are unable to download a renewal application call our office or email us. We will be happy to mail renewal materials to you.

No.

Yes. You may drop off your packet at the DPS headquarters building located at 2102 W. Encanto Blvd. in Phoenix between the hours of 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please go to the Security desk located on the north side of the building.

No. An amendment to the Arizona concealed carry law, ARS 13-3112, effective September 21, 2006, eliminated the requirement for refresher training upon renewing a permit.

You may be processed as a renewal between 90 days prior to expiration and 60 days after expiration. If your permit is expired more than 60 days, and you still want to possess a concealed-weapons permit, you must apply for a new permit. You may use your expired permit card as proof you have attended the firearms-safety training, if it is in good standing. However, your permit is expired on the date listed.

Arizona Alcohol Traffic & Firearms does provide fingerprinting services.

By law the CWPU has 60 days to process an application. Typically applications are processed within fourteen days of receipt if no additional research is required. Please return your expired permit to the CWPU once the new one is received.

No.

Once you become an Arizona resident and you wish to carry a concealed weapon you must obtain an Arizona CCW Permit.

This practice is discouraged. If there is an issue with one application, then all applications must be returned. To avoid any unnecessary delays, we prefer each application be submitted with its own form of payment.

Yes, unless the establishment has posted signs prohibiting weapons (A.R.S. 4-229). You may not consume alcohol while in possession of your firearm (A.R.S. 4-244). There are some additional exceptions see A.R.S. 13-3102.

You must be a resident of Arizona or a U.S. citizen.

Conditionally. If you remain in your vehicle and the handgun is unloaded before entering school grounds. If you exit your vehicle while picking up your child, the handgun must be unloaded and secured (locked) within the vehicle out of plain view. Use caution if you must exit the vehicle with a handgun (or any weapon) to secure it in the trunk of your vehicle. Others may see you and not understand your intention. Additionally, designated employees of a school may order a person off of school property if that person is believed to be interfering with school operations. School boards may also enact specific and more restrictive rules governing firearms and deadly weapons on school grounds. Determine what the rules of a school are before attempting to enter school grounds with a firearm. (ARS 13-3102.A.12, 13-3102.I and ARS 13-2911)

You must contact the respective prosecutor’s office or involved court that handled the case and obtain documentation that specifically states you were not charged with and/or have no record of a felony conviction in regards to that specific charge and you are not currently under felony indictment in that jurisdiction. Submit that documentation to the CWPU within the time limit given on the denial letter. You may also request a review and challenge of your criminal history through that states Criminal History Records Section.

No. You may carry open or concealed.

Yes. Arizona law permits private business owners (or their designates) to prohibit weapons from being brought onto their property, whether signs are posted or not. Private businesses are typically non-government operated businesses such as grocery and department stores, convenience stores, laundromats, banks, office complexes, etc. Failure to obey the request can result in your arrest for trespassing. (ARS 13-1502 / ARS 13-1503)

• Businesses serving alcohol for consumption on the premises (exceptions for peace officers and C.C.W. permitees, see A.R.S. 4-229, A.R.S. 4-244, A.R.S. 13-3102)
• Polling places on election days (peace officers are excepted)
• School grounds (some exceptions – see below) (peace officers are excepted)
• Commercial nuclear & hydroelectric generating stations (peace officers are excepted)
• Military installations (peace officers are limited)
• Indian reservations (check w/tribe, peace officers are limited)
• Game preserves (peace officers are limited)
• National parks (peace officers are limited) more information available at www.doi.gov or contact the park service regarding pending federal legislation.
• Correctional facilities
• Federal buildings (peace officers are limited)
• Airports (in or beyond security checkpoints) (peace officers are limited)
• Where federal, state or local laws prohibit weapons (peace officers are limited)
• State or local government/private establishments or events when asked by the operator/sponsor/agent. Most government facilities will provide a location to temporarily store a firearm. Persons who refuse to leave and/or secure their weapon are trespassing and can be cited or arrested for ARS 13-1502A1 (C3M) or ARS 13-1503A (C2M), depending on the venue (peace officers are excepted)

Please see below for school exceptions (concealed or not):

• You are an adult in a vehicle and the firearm is unloaded before entering school grounds. Furthermore, if you must exit your vehicle, the firearm must remain unloaded and be secured (locked) within the vehicle, out of plain view. Use caution and common sense if you must exit the vehicle with a firearm to secure it in the trunk (avoid causing a potentially serious disturbance)
• You are an adult attending a firearms related class (hunter/safety) or participating in a school program that requires you to bring or possess a firearm and the training or event was scheduled and approved by school administrators. This exception also applies to a juvenile accompanied by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or a certified hunter/firearms safety officer acting with the permission of a parent or guardian. The firearm will be unloaded before entering school grounds and should be placed in a case to avoid causing a potentially serious disturbance
• Additionally, designated employees of a school may order a person off of school property if that person is believed to be interfering with school operations. School boards may also enact specific and more restrictive rules governing firearms and deadly weapons on school grounds (ARS 13-2911).

Please see below for permit holder requirements:

• A qualified person must have the permit in possession when carrying a concealed weapon
• The permit must be presented to any law enforcement officer upon request, along with a driver’s license, military ID, state ID card or passport
• A law enforcement officer may temporarily take possession of a firearm during traffic stops or other official contacts with the public

It is extremely important that all Arizona Permit holders be aware of the CCW requirements and laws of all reciprocating/recognizing states. An Arizona CCW permit does not supersede any other state’s law or CCW requirements. Persons carrying an Arizona permit are subject to the laws of the state they are visiting.

If you are an Arizona permit holder traveling to another state and wish to carry a concealed weapon using your Arizona permit, contact that state directly to confirm their recognition status before carrying concealed weapons there.

Some states only recognize permits from persons who are a resident of the issuing state.

Some states have an active CCW reciprocal agreement on file with the State of Arizona. This means your Arizona permit allows you to carry concealed under their respective state statute, and Arizona will reciprocate by recognizing CCW permits issued by these states, regardless of whether they are “Resident” or “Non-Resident,” if so marked.