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Moving to AZ from CA

demnogis

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Joined
Jul 21, 2008
Messages
911
Location
Orange County, California, USA
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So recent changes in CA have made it apparent that if I want my business to come to fruition, it cant be in California. Don't worry, I wont bring any of that hippie socialist crap with me.

Basically I was hoping for a brief run-down of carry laws in AZ in contrast to CA.

For 1 I know you can open carry loaded. Does that mean loaded mag in the firearm but no round chambered?

AZ is shall-issue CCW. Since Loaded OC is legal, are there repercussions if your firearm imprints or someone catches a glance?

Prohibitions... In CA you cant carry within 1k ft of a public or private k-12 school, on any school property, in public buildings or into parks (natl parks excluded this year). In AZ are there any such restrictions?

Private businesses. In CA you can possess a firearm on private property even if a "no guns" sign is posted -- it carries no weight until the property owner or executive of the property owner exercises the policy by asking you to store it or tresspass you. Are there laws obligating you to follow signage in AZ?

Thanks for your input and answers. Hopefully I'll be a zonie before the end of the summer.
 

brokenbarrel

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Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
206
Location
blowing dust, Arizona, USA
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demnogis wrote:
So recent changes in CA have made it apparent that if I want my business to come to fruition, it cant be in California. Don't worry, I wont bring any of that hippie socialist crap with me.
thank you...i myself ran away from california.
Basically I was hoping for a brief run-down of carry laws in AZ in contrast to CA.

For 1 I know you can open carry loaded. Does that mean loaded mag in the firearm but no round chambered?
loaded with one in the chamber is legal and how almost everyone who carries keeps their defence tools...
AZ is shall-issue CCW. Since Loaded OC is legal, are there repercussions if your firearm imprints or someone catches a glance?
not at all..infact open carry includes partialy concealed..another thing we may soon have alaska-style carry no permit need for cc but you better be legal to own a firearm..
Prohibitions... In CA you cant carry within 1k ft of a public or private k-12 school, on any school property, in public buildings or into parks (natl parks excluded this year). In AZ are there any such restrictions?

that is something for you to look into via state gun laws...for exact answers
Private businesses. In CA you can possess a firearm on private property even if a "no guns" sign is posted -- it carries no weight until the property owner or executive of the property owner exercises the policy by asking you to store it or tresspass you. Are there laws obligating you to follow signage in AZ?
yes if the signs are properly posted(please read stipulations on no-firearms signs in posted in arizona)
Thanks for your input and answers. Hopefully I'll be a zonie before the end of the summer.
does us all a favor dont get so excited about our pro self defence laws that you strap on an ak47 to go buy a burger..it gives anti-gun folks not exactly fuel but some extra crap to bring up thank you..and if you have any gangster family members tell them its illegal for them to be in arizona and you'll send them a post card..:p
 

RockyAcres

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2009
Messages
35
Location
Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Hubby and I both OC matching Ruger P95s, fully loaded with one in the pipe and a clip on the side...no sense going around half-ready.

What business are you bringing in? What town to you plan on setting up shop in?

Welcome to AZ! Be safe...be prepared...live free!
 

Michigander

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Aug 24, 2007
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Mulligan's Valley
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Load up and leave it that way if you want, long as you are sure your gun is safe to carry and store that way. I am unaware of any law Arizona has regarding loaded status.

No one anywhere is likely to bitch about printing anywhere you are allowed to carry. "casual concealment", meaning printing some, probably through a baggy shirt, is common in Arizona.

Arizona, to my knowledge, has no law regarding non school property carry within 1000 feet of schools. However, there is the federal law which is a good reason to get the permit which by the federal law exempts you from the 1000 foot rule. Just the same, I have OC'd by many K-12 schools in Arizona as they were getting out, because I happened to be walking by at the time. Many cops saw this, and none cared. Nor did anyone else in the thousands of people that saw me. I can't make you any guarantees, but the federal law seems to be just about completely disregarded by AZ law enforcement.

I don't know about the exact laws, but regardless, I would consider it rude to carry somewhere that asks you not to. Many businesses in AZ, particularly in the valley, have no guns/no weapons signs posted. Plenty more don't.
 

Dahwg

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
661
Location
Tucson, Arizona, USA
imported post

Here's the run down.

OC means that it has to be openly carried in a holster or scabbard (if you're inclined to OC a sword or Machete). Case law has interpreted OC to mean that it is plainly clear that you are carrying a gun.

If you're CC and it shows, then you're now OC and well who gives a crap because we're an OC state- One exception to this rule: Any establishment that serves alcohol on the premises. In order to carry in such an establishment it has to be CC- and you can't drink.

I carry fully loaded with one in the chamber, as was mentioned earlier that's the way a weapon SHOULD be carried.

The 1K limit for school zones (federal law) is not enforced in AZ. Instead the law says you can't have a gun on school grounds, but you can have it in your car as long as it's unloaded and out of sight- locked in your car. This is soon to change as the unloaded requirement is an ND waiting to happen.

No guns signs have basically the same force of law as a manager coming to you and telling you that you can't bring it in here. Those are rare- even some of the signs that were posted right after the law changed allowing CC in establishments that serve alcohol for on-premises consumption are disappearing (WAHOO! no more no guns sign at Chipotle).

Good Luck with the move, and welcome to one of the free states.
 

AZkopper

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
675
Location
Prescott, Arizona, USA
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Summary ofOpen CarryLaws in Arizona:

1. It's legal, no permit required, "one in the chamber" is legal (and preferred). Age to Open Carry is 18 years old.

2. Weapon (handgun) must be holstered and "partially or wholly visible" to casual observation. Laws are more vague on longarms, but openly slung on your back [I'd avoid the 'low slung across chest look] should be (and usually is) fine.

3. May open carry in any private establishment (non-alcohol serving--see below) unless posted 'no weapons/no firearms'. Violation of such posting subjects you to trespass laws.

4. Establishments that serve alchohol (bars or restaraunts) allow CONCEALED CARRY ONLY (must haveConcealed Weapon Permit)unless signage is posted next to alcohol license prohibiting weapons. Carrying in violation of posted sign is prohibited.

5. Carrying firearms on to a K-12 school property isa prohibited (no 1000' rule enforcement in AZ).

6. Carrying at a nuclear facility, hydroeleectric facility is prohibited.

7. Carrying at a public event that serves alcohol is prohibited (fairs, street fairs, etc).

8. Public (city hall, court, etc)buildings that prohibit firearms MUST provide accessable storage for them.

9. Open Carry in a vehicle is legal by statute, but case law (Arizona v Adams) has overriden that. Vehicle carry must be in plain sight, or anywhere in a holster not on the body, holstered or unholstered in glove box/center console, or holstered/unholstered in map pocket.

The relevant sections in the Arizona Revised Statutes are Title 13, Chapter 31.
 

demnogis

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Jul 21, 2008
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Orange County, California, USA
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Thank you all for your quick and informational responses. I've OCed a lot here in CA (you can imagine what a PITA that has been), so I'm looking forward to the freedom AZ offers.

As to the type of business... I want to get an automotive shop running by this time next year. I plan on moving to the Tucson area since a friend of mine works for the DoD out of the air base there.
 

impulse

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Aug 15, 2008
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If I have any problems with my vehicle I can't fix, I will definately bring it to you. Hard to find a honest mechanic now a days.
 

demnogis

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Jul 21, 2008
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911
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Orange County, California, USA
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Well if you have a porsche or VW i can certainly help you. I specialize in older (pre-96) Porsches, vw, some audi and mercedes benz. The shop I want to open would have to be dynamic though.

Another question about carrying in AZ, is it true you cannot carry at all in establishments that serve alcohol? There is no such restriction in CA unless you have one of the "Golden Permits" made of unobtainium with a restriction printed on it.

impulse418 wrote:
If I have any problems with my vehicle I can't fix, I will definately bring it to you. Hard to find a honest mechanic now a days.
 

Dahwg

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Feb 22, 2008
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661
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Tucson, Arizona, USA
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demnogis wrote:
Well if you have a porsche or VW i can certainly help you. I specialize in older (pre-96) Porsches, vw, some audi and mercedes benz. The shop I want to open would have to be dynamic though.

Another question about carrying in AZ, is it true you cannot carry at all in establishments that serve alcohol? There is no such restriction in CA unless you have one of the "Golden Permits" made of unobtainium with a restriction printed on it.

Only partially true.. you need a CCW permit, and you can't drink if you're carrying, but AZ is a shall issue state. Ours permits are not made of unobtainium. As long as you're not a prohibited possessor, you just take the 8 hour course get your fingerprints done and send it to the Department of Public Safety with $65. By law you will receive your permit within 15 days. There are no restrictions printed on them- they're all the same. Welcome to The land of the free.
 
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