Can You Carry A Gun In Your Car In Arizona?

The Constitution of the United States protects your right to own a firearm but there are some limits that apply to these rights covered by the Second Amendment. This includes limitations on the places you can carry guns, as well as the way you can use them.

If you are wondering if you can carry a gun in your car in Arizona, the answer to that question is generally yes. There are some limitations on this ability to be aware of, and the failure to comply could result in criminal charges. If you are facing prosecution, a skilled gun defense attorney can help.

ADULTS CAN GENERALLY CARRY WEAPONS IN THEIR CAR

For the most part, you can carry a gun in your car in Arizona if you are at least 18 years of age. There are some differences in the way the law applies to people aged 18 to 20 as compared to those who are 21 or older.

If you are at least 21 years of age, you may carry a weapon in your vehicle whether it is in full view of other people or otherwise concealed. For someone between 18 and 20 years of age, these weapons must be openly visible in the vehicle and cannot be concealed.

WHAT ABOUT CARS PARKED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY?

The law also sets out a person’s right to store a firearm in their vehicle when it is on private property. In general, you have the right to keep your weapon in your car outside of a narrow set of exceptions. Unless one of these exceptions applies to the property owner, they may not bar you from storing your gun.

The first exception applies to homeowners. If the owner and occupier of a single-family residence prohibits firearms on their property, you must comply. This exception does not apply if the owner does not live there, or if it is some type of multi-family unit.

Second, there is an exception that applies to business owners that offer private parking. However, these prohibitions are only valid if the lot is secured and weapon storage is offered.

Finally, certain parking lots located on government property can prohibit carrying or storing a weapon in a vehicle.

GUNS ARE HEAVILY REGULATED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

One place where firearms are heavily regulated is on the grounds of a K-12 school. State law makes it illegal to carry loaded weapons in your vehicle on school grounds under any circumstance.

It is worth noting that unloaded weapons are not treated the same way. You can legally have a firearm stored in your vehicle if it is unloaded and meets three other criteria: the car must be locked, the weapon should be stored out of sight, and it is kept in the most secure part of the vehicle.

FELONS MAY NOT HAVE A FIREARM

It should come as no surprise that one of the major exceptions to the right to carry a gun in your car in Arizona involves anyone convicted of a felony. If you have one of these convictions on your record, you are barred from having a weapon under any circumstances. This includes in your vehicle, your home, or on your person. The same prohibitions are in place for someone convicted of a domestic violence offence.

TALK TO AN ATTORNEY ABOUT CARRYING A GUN IN YOUR VEHICLE

Still have questions on if you can carry a gun in your car in Arizona? Getting answers from an attorney could be helpful, especially if you are currently facing firearms charges. Reach out today for a confidential consultation with Grand Canyon Law Group.