Arizona is one of the most gun-friendly states in the country. Adults 21 and older can carry openly or concealed without a permit, state law overrides stricter local rules, and there is no state gun registration. A few rules still catch people out, especially around bars, schools, police contact and where you can shoot. This page is a plain-language overview for Tucson shooters, current as of November 2026.
Last reviewed November 1, 2026
Arizona carry at a glance
| Topic | Arizona rule |
|---|---|
| Concealed carry, 21 and up | No permit required |
| Open carry | No permit required |
| CCW permit | Optional; $60 new, $43 renewal |
| Permit term | 5 years |
| Duty to tell police | Only if asked; answer truthfully |
| Bars and restaurants | Permit holders only, no drinking |
| Local gun ordinances | Preempted by state law |
| Private sales | No state background check law |
Permitless carry
Under A.R.S. 13-3102, any adult 21 or older who is not a prohibited possessor may carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Open carry requires no permit. Shooters under 21 may not carry concealed in public, but may carry openly, in a case, or in a vehicle’s storage compartment.
Talking with police
Arizona does not require you to volunteer that you are armed. If an officer asks during a traffic stop or other contact whether you are carrying a concealed weapon, you must answer accurately; lying is a class 1 misdemeanor. Officers may hold the firearm temporarily during the stop. Keep hands visible and follow instructions.
Bars and restaurants
This is the rule that trips up the most people. Only Arizona CCW permit holders may carry concealed in a place licensed to serve alcohol by the drink, and only if the owner has not posted the state’s no-firearms sign by the liquor license. Permitless carriers have no such exception. Anyone carrying a firearm in a bar or restaurant may not drink. It is the strongest everyday reason to hold a permit.
Places you cannot carry
- Polling places on election day
- School grounds, except an unloaded firearm left locked and out of sight in a vehicle
- Government buildings and public events when the operator asks you to store the firearm and provides storage
- Nuclear and hydroelectric generating stations
- Federal facilities such as post offices, courthouses and posted national park buildings
- Any bar or restaurant with the 4-229 sign posted
- Tribal land, which follows tribal law, not state law
The Arizona CCW permit
- Arizona resident or U.S. citizen, 21 or older; 19 and 20 with military service
- Training: a state-approved or NRA safety course, hunter education, military or law enforcement training
- $60 new, $43 renewal, valid five years
- Apply through the Arizona DPS online portal; allow about 75 days
- Recognized in more than 30 states; check each state before you travel
- Serves as an alternative to the background check when buying from a dealer
Tucson CCW classes are listed on Training and Classes.
Preemption and city limits
Under A.R.S. 13-3108, cities and counties may not pass gun laws stricter than state law, and officials who knowingly do can face civil penalties. Local governments may still limit shooting near occupied buildings and in parks. Firing a gun within any city or town limits is a class 6 felony unless an exception applies, such as a supervised range, lawful hunting or more than a mile from any occupied structure.
Transporting firearms
- Adults 21 and up may carry loaded and concealed in a vehicle
- Under 21: carry openly, in a case or in a storage compartment
- Never leave firearms visible in a parked car; smash-and-grab theft is common
- Crossing into California or Mexico? Their laws are far stricter; never cross the border armed
Suppressors, short barrels and body armor
Suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns are legal in Arizona when registered under the federal National Firearms Act. A 2025 bill to remove suppressors from the state’s prohibited-weapons list was vetoed, so federal registration remains the rule. See Suppressor Buyers Guide.com and NFA Buyers Guide.com. Body armor is legal for law-abiding adults; see Body Armor Buyers Guide.com.
2025 and 2026 legislative sessions
No major change to Arizona carry law became law in either session. The governor vetoed bills on suppressors, campus carry, lower CCW fees and the bar-sign rule. Gun show and private-sale rules are on Arizona Gun Show Laws, and where shooting on public land is legal is on AZ Public Areas.
Have a legal question about guns? Ask Gun Questions.com answers common questions, and the history behind these laws is on the Timeline.