Az law (novice rifle question) if different then...

You dont need a ccw in az anymore it can be loaded and hidden anywhere you want. You can conceal your pistols also. You can still get a ccw makea it quicker to buy guns but you dont need it.

 

You may get a different point of view from someone else. If you have a weapon, especially a loaded weapon in the vehicle with you and you get pulled over, I would inform the officer when he approaches the vehicle. You are not required to in this state but in my opinion it is better to inform the officer for the safety of all involved. If you do get your CCW and are driving a car that is registered to you, it will come up when the officer runs your info. I personally, inform the officer that I have a loaded firearm in the vehicle and ask how the officer wants to proceed with the rest of the traffic stop. This gives the officer a sense of safety and as a side benefit, the stop often goes better and has resulted in my being let go with a warning.

 

You might want to make sure that the officer can see your hands in "safe" position/place (ex. steering wheel, approximately 10 and 2 o'clock, respectively) as you inform them. Visual can go a long way towards reassuring the officer.

 

I agree 100% with your thoughts.

 

The law states that if you are involved in a lawful contact and you are carrying a firearm, you must inform the officer if he asks you.

Also,

Now the law goes on to say,

This means that to answer your question, under the assumptions you are A) not a prohibited possessor, and B), are over 21, yes, you are legal. If you are under 21, no, you cannot play it that way, different rules for the 18-21 crowd.

All this info is here, http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/13/03102.htm&Title=13&DocType=ARS

incidentally, loaded or unloaded means nothing to carrying a firearm in Arizona. You may indeed carry your rifle loaded and concealed in your vehicle, or on your person, (can be done, did it to prove a point once), without a CCW permit. The only caveat is the 1000 foot school rule, under which you are not covered by if you are carrying Constitutional Carry, but you are covered if you have an AZ CCW permit. AZ Gun Owners Guide would be an excellent book for you to read.

 

Where is this Book available? ( newer(less then 2 yrs) Az resident- Still learning)

Thanks: ( DrFootball- US Army Aviation Branch Ret./Med.)

 

I would think you could "google" AZ CWP regulations and requirements and find the desired information. Welcome to the Grand Canyon state!

 

I go by the "3 action" rule I've been taught. Basically, when driving w/ a firearm, there has to be at least 3 steps until you have the firearm in hand, locked & loaded. For instance: I keep my defense gun in a holster, in my closed console when driving (1: open console, 2: unsnap holster, 3: draw gun). Others opt to play it even safer by just keeping it in the trunk. However, having the gun on your person while driving is a felony unless you have a CCW. Still, I know many people who are much more lax about it all & have never run into trouble.

One thing I recommend to everybody is this: if you're pulled over, don't wait for the officer to ask if you have a firearm(s), just calmly say "officer, I should inform you that I am armed. How would you like me to proceed?". This is ESPECIALLY true if you have a CCW permit, because when they run your license & registration, it will show up & the officer will wonder why you didn't tell them. Basically, it's not just a matter of respect, but it will put the officer at ease which is going to make it go a lot smoother for you.

 

Whitewalker, where did you hear that it was a felony to carry a concealed weapon while driving? (For those of us OVER 21, of course!) I carry concealed almost every day when I drive. I have not been pulled over often, but was once for a taillight. I immediately told the officer I was carrying and said I would put it on the seat beside me. He just said "no problem, just wanted to tell you your passenger side tail light is burned out or not working." I thanked him and went my merry way. I just read the law page cited above and it looks to me that it's only misconduct if you are under 21. Read 1.B. otherwise, why there be a need for 2? I am not trying to put you down or anything like that... I really want to know if they changed laws behind our backs!

 

Only if you DON'T have a CCW. But you can't carry concealed period without a CCW. So say I don't have a CCW and I'm open carrying on a hip holster. That's all fine and good, but if I get into my car, no CCW remember, with my gun still holstered on my hip, I've committed a felony. AZ gun laws, while very open, are precise & finicky about certain little details.

 

No, that law was changed. You do not need a permit anymore for ccw. You can ask at the gunshop, your instructor, or even a policeman. I have an istructor that will be training me with my rifle & shotgun (have't shot those since I was about 16). He said I could also get a ccw permit if I wanted to. I said "but you don't need them anymore in AZ... what is the advantage of having one?" He said "it's good to have one in case you travel to another state" But then the govt. will know I am a gun owner, so I haven't made up my mind yet. Anyway, talk soon

 

You also need a CCW to carry concealed in any establishment that serves alcohol.

 

If anybody wants to read in plain english, get one of Alan Korwin's books.

http://gunlaws.com/

Easy to understand, and he keeps them updated.

 

Amen. I got this book. Money SO well spent.

 

I'm going to order a couple of books tomorrow. Thanks for the info!

 

This is absolutely true. Happened to me.

 

Totally agree. We Also met him in the press room At SHOT. Very nice man....