Arizona Gun Laws 2026

Arizona does not require a permit to purchase, a firearm registration or a waiting period. A buyer who may legally own a firearm can buy one from a licensed dealer after a federal NICS background check, and can carry it concealed or openly from age 21 with no license. The Arizona Department of Public Safety issues an optional Concealed Weapons Permit, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department sets hunting seasons. This page reflects the state rules as of September 2026.

Buying a gun

At a licensed dealer, the buyer shows photo ID and completes ATF Form 4473. The dealer then runs a federal NICS background check before the firearm changes hands. Arizona adds no state check on top of it, so once the NICS check returns a proceed, the buyer can take the firearm home the same day.

Federal law sets the minimum age at the dealer: 18 for rifles and shotguns, and 21 for handguns.

A private sale between Arizona residents needs no state permission slip and no state check. Selling or transferring a firearm to a prohibited possessor is still a crime under A.R.S. 13-3102.

Buying online and shipping to an Arizona dealer

An online order for a firearm ships to a licensed dealer in Arizona chosen at checkout. That dealer runs the background check and transfers the firearm to the buyer. The age rules above still apply at the receiving dealer.

Ammunition, optics and most parts ship straight to the buyer's door. No permit and no dealer transfer are needed for those items.

Carrying a gun and permits

Arizona has been a permitless carry state since 2010. A person 21 or older who may legally have a firearm can carry it concealed or openly, with no license and no class.

Under 21, carrying concealed remains an offense under A.R.S. 13-3102. Younger adults can carry openly, or keep the firearm cased in a vehicle.

The optional Concealed Weapons Permit is issued statewide by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, through its Concealed Weapons Permit Unit, not by a county sheriff. The application requires a fingerprint card and an approved firearms safety course.

Schools, polling places, court facilities, nuclear and hydroelectric stations, and posted private property are off-limits.

Hunting rules for southern Arizona deer

The Arizona Game and Fish Department sets deer seasons by game management unit and by draw, not by county. Unit 33, which includes the Santa Catalina and Rincon mountains, has general Coues whitetail hunts in the 2026-27 season on these dates: October 23 to 29, November 6 to 12, November 27 to December 6, and December 11 to 31, 2026.

The southern units around Tucson also hold a mule deer hunt from October 30 to November 5, 2026.

Deer draw applications were accepted from June 2 to July 24, 2026. Archery-only deer tags are sold over the counter, subject to unit harvest limits.

Arizona has no huntable feral hog population. The javelina is a separate species, with its own draw seasons and its own handgun, archery and muzzleloader hunts.

Requirements at a glance

Requirement	Arizona rule
Buying: photo ID	Shown to the licensed dealer
Buying: federal form	ATF Form 4473
Buying: background check	Federal NICS check run by the dealer
Buying: state permit to purchase	None
Buying: firearm registration	None
Buying: state waiting period	None
Buying: minimum age	18 for rifles and shotguns, 21 for handguns
Carrying: license	None for ages 21 and older
Carrying: under age 21	Concealed carry is an offense under A.R.S. 13-3102; openly or cased in a vehicle is permitted
Carrying: optional permit	Concealed Weapons Permit from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with a fingerprint card and an approved firearms safety course

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to buy a gun in Arizona?

No. Arizona has no permit to purchase and no firearm registration. The buyer shows photo ID, completes Form 4473 and passes a NICS check at the licensed dealer that receives the order.

Is there a waiting period in Arizona?

No. Arizona has no state waiting period, so once the dealer's NICS check returns a proceed, the firearm can go home the same day.

Who issues concealed weapons permits in Arizona?

The Arizona Department of Public Safety issues every Concealed Weapons Permit in the state. County sheriffs do not issue them. The applicant still needs a fingerprint card and an approved firearms safety course.

Can I carry a gun without a permit in Arizona?

Yes, if you are 21 or older and not barred from having a firearm. You can carry concealed or openly. Schools, polling places, court buildings and posted private property remain off-limits.

Laws change; confirm current rules with the state agencies named on this page.