Where Are You Allowed to Carry a Gun in Arizona?

Arizona is among the most gun-friendly states in the country, allowing most adults to carry firearms without a permit. However, that doesn’t mean you can carry a gun anywhere you want. Whether you’re open carrying or carrying concealed, certain places are off-limits under state and federal law.

Where You Can Legally Carry a Firearm in Arizona

Arizona law generally allows adults 18 and older to openly carry firearms and 21 and older to carry concealed weapons without a permit. The following locations are where you can legally carry a firearm:

• Public Spaces – Streets, sidewalks, parks and other public areas
  
  
• State and National Forests – Unless otherwise posted, you can carry in Arizona’s state and national parks
  
  
• Inside Your Vehicle – You can carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in your car, concealed or openly, without any special permits
  
  
• Private Property (With Permission) – You can carry on private property, such as a friend’s home, unless the property owner prohibits firearms
  
  
• Businesses That Allow Firearms – Unless a business has posted signs banning weapons, you are generally allowed to carry

Carrying with a Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP)

While Arizona doesn’t require a permit for concealed carry thanks to constitutional carry, getting a concealed weapons permit (CWP) can still be beneficial for some gun owners. A CWP allows you to:

• Carry concealed in some places that prohibit firearms without a permit, including certain establishments that serve alcohol or near schools (but not on school grounds or in buildings)
  
  
• Carry in states with reciprocity agreements recognizing Arizona’s CWP
  
  
• Arizona’s CWP meets the federal background check requirements under 27 C.F.R. § 478.102(d), allowing Arizona CWP holders to bypass the NICS background check when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer as long as their CWP was issued within the last five years

Where You Cannot Carry a Firearm in Arizona

Despite Arizona’s broad gun rights, there are several places where carrying a firearm is strictly prohibited, even if you have a permit:

• Schools and Universities – Firearms are banned on K-12 school grounds and inside school buildings, with very limited exceptions
  
  
• Polling Places – Guns are prohibited at polling locations on election days
  
  
• Federal Buildings – This includes post offices, courthouses and other government offices
  
  
• Airports (Secured Areas) – You cannot carry beyond TSA security checkpoints at airports
  
  
• Correctional Facilities – Prisons and jails prohibit firearms
  
  
• Private Businesses with No-Gun Signs – If a business posts a sign prohibiting firearms, carrying inside could lead to criminal trespassing charges
  
  
• Indian Reservations – Tribal lands have their own gun regulations, and carrying on reservations can lead to legal trouble unless explicitly allowed
  
  
• Bars & Restaurants Serving Alcohol (Without a Permit) – If a business serves alcohol, you cannot carry unless you have a valid Arizona CWP and the business does not have signs prohibiting firearms

Do Businesses Have the Right to Prohibit Firearms?

Under Arizona law, businesses can post “No Firearms” signs at entrances, and once a sign is displayed, carrying a firearm inside is illegal. If you enter a posted business with a firearm and refuse to leave when asked, you could face criminal trespassing charges.

Some gun owners view no-carry policies as an infringement on their rights, legally, businesses are exercising their own property rights when prohibit firearms. If you disagree with a business’s policy, your best option is to take your business elsewhere rather than risk legal consequences.

The Second Amendment limits government restrictions on gun ownership and carrying firearms, but it does not prevent private property owners from setting their own policies.

However, businesses cannot prevent you from keeping a firearm in your locked vehicle in a parking lot, as long as the firearm is not visible from outside the vehicle.

What Happens If You Carry in a Prohibited Location?

Carrying a firearm in a restricted area can lead to serious legal consequences. In some cases, violating firearm laws in restricted areas may lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, fines and even jail time. Businesses and private property owners can also ask you to leave if you’re carrying, and refusing to comply can result in trespassing charges.

Defending the Rights of Gun Owners in Phoenix

Arizona’s gun laws provide broad firearm rights, but there are still some restrictions. If you carry, it’s your responsibility to understand where you’re legally allowed to do so and when you need a permit. If you’re facing gun-related charges in Phoenix, call Arizona board-certified criminal defense attorney Michael Alarid III at (602) 818-3110 for a free case evaluation.