Tucson has been a shooting town since before Arizona was a state. These are key dates in the story of shooting clubs, ranges, gun shows and gun rights in Tucson and across Arizona.
Frontier and territory, 1775 to 1911
August 20, 1775
The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson is founded by Hugo O’Conor, an Irish-born officer in Spanish service. Its soldiers and armed settlers hold the frontier post for decades.
The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson is founded by Hugo O’Conor, an Irish-born officer in Spanish service. Its soldiers and armed settlers hold the frontier post for decades.
December 30, 1853
The Gadsden Purchase is signed. Ratified in 1854, it brings Tucson and southern Arizona into the United States for $10 million.
The Gadsden Purchase is signed. Ratified in 1854, it brings Tucson and southern Arizona into the United States for $10 million.
May 20, 1862
Union troops of the California Column drive Confederate forces out and establish the Post of Tucson.
Union troops of the California Column drive Confederate forces out and establish the Post of Tucson.
February 24, 1863
President Lincoln signs the Arizona Organic Act, creating Arizona Territory.
President Lincoln signs the Arizona Organic Act, creating Arizona Territory.
1873
Colt begins production of the Single Action Army, the Army’s standard revolver until 1892. The same year Camp Lowell moves seven miles east of Tucson, serving as Fort Lowell until 1891. More on Arizona State Gun.
Colt begins production of the Single Action Army, the Army’s standard revolver until 1892. The same year Camp Lowell moves seven miles east of Tucson, serving as Fort Lowell until 1891. More on Arizona State Gun.
October 26, 1881
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, about 70 miles southeast of Tucson, becomes the most famous 30 seconds in Old West history.
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, about 70 miles southeast of Tucson, becomes the most famous 30 seconds in Old West history.
1894
The Blue Rock Gun Club, named for the Blue Rock clay target, is keeping shooters’ score ledgers in Tucson. Its records, running through 1914, are preserved by the Arizona Historical Society.
The Blue Rock Gun Club, named for the Blue Rock clay target, is keeping shooters’ score ledgers in Tucson. Its records, running through 1914, are preserved by the Arizona Historical Society.
March 21, 1901
The Territorial Legislature creates the Arizona Rangers, who ride with Winchester Model 1895 rifles and Colt revolvers until 1909.
The Territorial Legislature creates the Arizona Rangers, who ride with Winchester Model 1895 rifles and Colt revolvers until 1909.
May 4, 1909
The Tucson Rifle Club holds its first meeting. Through the 1910s and 1920s it competes in marksmanship matches and works closely with Company K of the Arizona National Guard.
The Tucson Rifle Club holds its first meeting. Through the 1910s and 1920s it competes in marksmanship matches and works closely with Company K of the Arizona National Guard.
1910
Delegates to Arizona’s constitutional convention write a right to bear arms into the state constitution, adopted with statehood in 1912.
Delegates to Arizona’s constitutional convention write a right to bear arms into the state constitution, adopted with statehood in 1912.
Statehood and the first clubs, 1912 to 1945
February 14, 1912
Arizona becomes the 48th state. Article 2, Section 26 of its constitution reads: “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the state shall not be impaired.”
Arizona becomes the 48th state. Article 2, Section 26 of its constitution reads: “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the state shall not be impaired.”
1916 to 1920
Pima Pistol Club gets its start, serving shooters from 1916 and in continuous operation since 1920. Its first range sits west of Tucson on land that later became Pima Community College’s West Campus.
Pima Pistol Club gets its start, serving shooters from 1916 and in continuous operation since 1920. Its first range sits west of Tucson on land that later became Pima Community College’s West Campus.
1925
Davis-Monthan becomes a military airfield, named for Tucson-born aviators Samuel H. Davis and Oscar Monthan. Charles Lindbergh dedicates the field in 1927.
Davis-Monthan becomes a military airfield, named for Tucson-born aviators Samuel H. Davis and Oscar Monthan. Charles Lindbergh dedicates the field in 1927.
April 1929
Pima County establishes Tucson Mountain Park, later home to a county rifle and pistol range and an archery range.
Pima County establishes Tucson Mountain Park, later home to a county rifle and pistol range and an archery range.
January 1934
John Dillinger and members of his gang are captured in Tucson. Some of the guns seized, including Thompson submachine guns, are still displayed by the Tucson Police Department.
John Dillinger and members of his gang are captured in Tucson. Some of the guns seized, including Thompson submachine guns, are still displayed by the Tucson Police Department.
Ranges and rights, 1946 to 1999
1948
Tucson Trap and Skeet Club begins serving Southern Arizona shotgunners from its home on Old Ajo Highway.
Tucson Trap and Skeet Club begins serving Southern Arizona shotgunners from its home on Old Ajo Highway.
1957
The Ben Avery Shooting Facility opens in north Phoenix. At 1,650 acres it becomes the largest publicly operated shooting facility in the country.
The Ben Avery Shooting Facility opens in north Phoenix. At 1,650 acres it becomes the largest publicly operated shooting facility in the country.
November 1959
Pima Pistol Club hosts the 22nd annual Arizona State Pistol Championships, drawing more than 100 shooters.
Pima Pistol Club hosts the 22nd annual Arizona State Pistol Championships, drawing more than 100 shooters.
1963 to 1984
Titan II missile site 571-7 south of Tucson stands on alert through the Cold War. It opens as the Titan Missile Museum in 1986 and becomes a National Historic Landmark in 1994.
Titan II missile site 571-7 south of Tucson stands on alert through the Cold War. It opens as the Titan Missile Museum in 1986 and becomes a National Historic Landmark in 1994.
1968
Pima Pistol Club moves to its current home in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson.
Pima Pistol Club moves to its current home in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson.
1976
Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper founds the American Pistol Institute, now Gunsite Academy, near Paulden in northern Arizona.
Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper founds the American Pistol Institute, now Gunsite Academy, near Paulden in northern Arizona.
1994
Arizona creates its concealed weapons permit system.
Arizona creates its concealed weapons permit system.
Tucson shooting today, 2000 to now
2004
Pima County voters approve bond funds that later pay for the Southeast Regional Park clay target center and archery range.
Pima County voters approve bond funds that later pay for the Southeast Regional Park clay target center and archery range.
2004
The 30-position Southeast Regional Park rifle and pistol range opens, funded by Pima County bonds.
The 30-position Southeast Regional Park rifle and pistol range opens, funded by Pima County bonds.
2005
The Ajo range is renovated and named the Virgil Ellis Shooting Range.
The Ajo range is renovated and named the Virgil Ellis Shooting Range.
2009
Gun Websites films a long run of gun reviews at Southeast Regional Park, many of them pointing viewers to this site’s original home, TucsonShooting.org.
Gun Websites films a long run of gun reviews at Southeast Regional Park, many of them pointing viewers to this site’s original home, TucsonShooting.org.
April 16, 2010
Arizona’s governor signs Constitutional Carry (SB 1108). From July 29, 2010, any adult who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit, making Arizona the third state to do so.
Arizona’s governor signs Constitutional Carry (SB 1108). From July 29, 2010, any adult who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit, making Arizona the third state to do so.
April 28, 2011
The Colt Single Action Army revolver becomes Arizona’s official state firearm, honoring its role in the territorial days.
The Colt Single Action Army revolver becomes Arizona’s official state firearm, honoring its role in the territorial days.
2012 and 2014
Tucson Trap and Skeet hosts ISSF Shotgun World Cups, bringing international clay competition to Tucson.
Tucson Trap and Skeet hosts ISSF Shotgun World Cups, bringing international clay competition to Tucson.
February 5, 2013
Tucson’s city council advances background checks for gun show sales on city property. The shows move to the Tucson Expo Center and the Pima County Fairgrounds, outside city limits.
Tucson’s city council advances background checks for gun show sales on city property. The shows move to the Tucson Expo Center and the Pima County Fairgrounds, outside city limits.
2013
A new state law requires agencies to sell seized firearms instead of destroying them.
A new state law requires agencies to sell seized firearms instead of destroying them.
October 5, 2013
Pima County dedicates the Southeast Clay Target Center, Southeast Archery Range and Education and Training Range at Southeast Regional Park.
Pima County dedicates the Southeast Clay Target Center, Southeast Archery Range and Education and Training Range at Southeast Regional Park.
2015
The University of Arizona WildGats action shooting team launches with an NSSF collegiate grant, practicing at Southeast Regional Park.
The University of Arizona WildGats action shooting team launches with an NSSF collegiate grant, practicing at Southeast Regional Park.
2016
SB 1487 lets lawmakers ask the Attorney General to investigate local rules that conflict with state gun law.
SB 1487 lets lawmakers ask the Attorney General to investigate local rules that conflict with state gun law.
August 17, 2017
The Arizona Supreme Court rules that state law overrides Tucson’s ordinance requiring the destruction of seized guns.
The Arizona Supreme Court rules that state law overrides Tucson’s ordinance requiring the destruction of seized guns.
2018
Monsoon storms damage the Tucson Mountain Park range, closing it for months while new roof supports are built over the firing line.
Monsoon storms damage the Tucson Mountain Park range, closing it for months while new roof supports are built over the firing line.
March 2018
The WildGats win the collegiate national title in rimfire irons rifle, the first of a string of national trophies.
The WildGats win the collegiate national title in rimfire irons rifle, the first of a string of national trophies.
April 2020
Pima County temporarily closes its staffed ranges during the pandemic, and private ranges see a surge of new shooters.
Pima County temporarily closes its staffed ranges during the pandemic, and private ranges see a surge of new shooters.
November 2025
The Southeast Clay Target Center closes for the Project Blue data center land sale; a replacement south of the rifle range is targeted for 2027.
The Southeast Clay Target Center closes for the Project Blue data center land sale; a replacement south of the rifle range is targeted for 2027.
2026
Crossroads of the West gun shows continue at the Pima County Fairgrounds, and Tucson Shooting.com relaunches as the first site in the Gun Websites Firearms Network’s Gun Shops, Gun Shows and Places to Shoot group.
Crossroads of the West gun shows continue at the Pima County Fairgrounds, and Tucson Shooting.com relaunches as the first site in the Gun Websites Firearms Network’s Gun Shops, Gun Shows and Places to Shoot group.
History on video
Sources
- Arizona Historical Society (Blue Rock Gun Club and Tucson Rifle Club records)
- Pima County Shooting Sports
- Arizona Game and Fish Department: Where to Shoot
- Arizona State Legislature
More firearms history by date lives on Gun Calendars.com.
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