Arizona Concealed Weapon Permit Unit

     The Concealed Weapon Permit Unit (CWPU) operates under authority of the State of Arizona concealed weapon permit law, Arizona Revised Statute 13-3112 and Arizona Administrative Rules R13-9-101 through R13-9-113. Following are just some of the responsibilities of CWPU:

• Provide customer service to permit holders, instructors and training organizations.
• Handles inquiries from the general public and other government agencies.
• Maintains the ACJIS ACWI data base
• Processes and approves training organizations and instructors who provide CCW training required Arizona Statute.
• Provides training to instructors for renewal applicants.
• Conducts administrative and criminal investigations on applicants, permit holders, instructors and training organizations to ensure compliance with concealed weapon permit laws and rules.
• Audits training organizations.
• Publishes a quarterly Concealed Weapon Permit News Bulletin for CCW instructors.
• Maintains the "Official Arizona Concealed Carry Weapon" Web site.

"How to..." page
    Here you will find step by step instructions and information for the most common CCW related procedures. At the bottom, you will also find a link for frequently asked questions.

Requirements for CCW:
As of 10-2003

1. Must be a United States citizen or permanent resident alien. Note: Persons who were born outside of the United States or one of its territories must send a copy of (or present in person) proof of citizenship or alien status. This is a one-time requirement. Any of the following documents are acceptable:
   • Certificate of Naturalization
   • Resident Alien Card
   • Record of Birth Abroad
   • Record of Birth to Armed Forces Personnel
   • US Passport
2. Must be lawfully present in the United States.
3. Must be at least 21 years of age.
4. Not under indictment or have not been convicted of a felony in the U.S. or elsewhere.
5. Not convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.
6. Not under court order (i.e. order of protection, harassment, etc.)
7. Not a fugitive from justice.
8. Not a user of or addicted to any controlled substance.
9. Not been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces.
10. Have never renounced U.S. citizenship.
11. Do not suffer from mental illness and have not been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution.
First time and renewal concealed weapon permit applications are processed by Department of Public Safety Criminal Records Specialists. The application data is entered into our CCW database. Background criminal history checks are performed utilizing several systems:
• Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS)
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
• Arizona Crime information Center (ACIC)
• National Instant Background Check System (NICS)
• Interstate Identification Index (III)
• Automatic Fingerprint Information System (AFIS)
• Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)

  Our policy is to deny a concealed weapon permit to an applicant due to any disqualifiers in accordance to U.S. Federal (18 U.S.C. 922) and Arizona State (ARS 13-3112). If no disqualifying criminal history record is found, the concealed weapon permit is issued contingent on the FBI background check based on the submitted fingerprints.

12. Have satisfactorily completed a DPS approved CCW Training Program (16 hours). Permit training must take place within Arizona. Applicants trained outside of Arizona are subject to be suspended or revoked, as well the instructor and organization. Certain law enforcement officers and NRA Instructors are exempt from the initial training.
13. Concealed weapon permits may be renewed every four (4) years. All applicants for renewal, except DPS approved CCW instructors, must successfully complete a DPS approved renewal training program (minimum of four (4) hours), no exceptions. DPS approved CCW Instructors have alternate methods of fulfilling renewal training requirements. Fee: $ 50 - Concealed Weapon Permit (permit valid for 4 years)