Arizona has some of the most gun-friendly laws in the country, but "constitutional carry" doesn't mean there are no rules. Here are the basics every gun owner in the state should know. Our Arizona CCW class covers all of this in detail, with the actual statutes.
Who can carry
- Concealed carry: adults 21 and older who can legally possess a firearm, with or without a permit.
- Open carry: adults 18 and older who can legally possess a firearm.
- A CCW permit is optional in Arizona, but it lets you carry in states that honor it and can speed up gun purchases. See How to Get an Arizona CCW Permit in 2026.
If a police officer stops you
If you're carrying concealed and an officer asks whether you have a weapon during a stop, Arizona law requires you to answer truthfully. The officer can also take temporary possession of the firearm for the length of the stop. Stay calm, keep your hands visible, and tell the officer where the gun is before you reach for anything.
Restaurants and bars
You can generally carry into a restaurant or bar that serves alcohol unless it posts the state's no-firearms sign, but you may not drink alcohol while carrying there. If you see the sign, the firearm stays out.
Places you still can't carry
- Polling places on election day
- K-12 school grounds, with narrow exceptions
- Secured areas of airports (past TSA screening)
- Federal buildings, including post offices and courthouses
- Public buildings and public events that post a no-weapons sign and offer secure storage for your firearm
- Jails, prisons and nuclear or power-generation facilities
- Private property where the owner tells you no
- Tribal land, where tribal law applies. Check before you go.
In your vehicle
Adults 21 and older can keep a loaded handgun in their vehicle, concealed or in plain view. If you leave the vehicle, for example at a business that prohibits guns, store it securely and out of sight.
Use of force
Carrying a firearm comes with the responsibility to know when the law allows force, and when it doesn't. Arizona's justification statutes are detailed, and this is where a class pays for itself: our instructors walk through real scenarios, and the advanced Defensive Pistol course adds decision-making under stress.
Carrying well
The law is the floor, not the goal. Carry in a holster that fully covers the trigger (see How to Choose a Concealed Carry Holster), practice your draw unloaded, and put rounds downrange regularly. Range members get unlimited lane time, which makes regular practice easy.
Classes that help
Know the law, then train to the standard it expects.
- Arizona CCW Certification · $85
4-hour classroom course. Arizona carry law and use of force; DPS application and fingerprints done in class. Select Saturdays at 11:30 AM. - Defensive Pistol · $295
Advanced, coming soon: stress-fire drills, low light, malfunction clearance and force-on-force scenarios. Prerequisite: CCW. Join the interest list. - Private Instruction · $140/hour
One-on-one or two shooters, on your schedule. Bring your own firearm or use ours. Built around your skill gap, not a fixed curriculum.
See upcoming class dates Full course catalog
Taught by NRA-certified instructors. Range members save 10% on every course.
Questions? Call us at (602) 715-2677 or stop by 6030 E Main St, Suite 103, Mesa, AZ 85205.
General information current as of October 2026, not legal advice. Laws change; check the current statute or ask an attorney about your situation.