You don’t live in Arizona so why would you want, what they officially call, a “Concealed Weapons Permit” (CWP) from the Grand Canyon State?
For me, the answer is simple. Reciprocity.
Because I live in the commie state of New York, there is a relatively limited number of states that recognize my New York permit. Getting an Arizona permit expands the number of states in which I can lawfully carry a concealed firearm.
These helpful Reciprocity Maps from our friends over at USCCA spell out the issue pretty clearly:
New York has 26 reciprocating states. Interestingly, New York has a population of about 20 million and only one percent of the population has a permit (194K licenses issued), according to USCCA.
Compare that with Arizona:
Arizona has 37 reciprocating states, 11 more than New York. Arizona has a population of 7.4 million and roughly five percent of the population has a permit (398K licenses issued), per USCCA.
The key for me is with an Arizona permit I can now drive clear down to Florida with my carry gun on my person without flouting the law (Of course, always do your own research before traveling out of state to ensure you’re compliant with state and local laws).
Without the AZ CWP, I wouldn’t even be able to travel into Pennsylvania without having to stop and secure my gun off my person. Not having immediate access to my primary tool for self-defense obviously leaves me vulnerable.
Getting an Arizona Permit is Easy, Even for Non-Residents!
If you’re a law-abiding citizen at least 21 years of age with a concealed carry permit from a different state (or if you have proof of firearms training), you can basically get an Arizona permit.
What’s the cost?
It’s $60 for the permit, which is good for five years, plus the cost to send the application to the Arizona Dept. of Public Safety, and any fee associated with getting fingerprinted. Thankfully, I had a buddy who is a state trooper fingerprint me for free.
NOTE: DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID!!!
When I was getting my packet together, I had the copy of my valid NY permit for proof of training, the two completed fingerprint cards on the requisite FBI form FD-258, the filled-out application (I’ve embedded an app above), and the $60 check — but I made the mistake of writing the AZ DPS a personal check. Do not do this! They do not accept personal checks!
SEE ALSO: The Vacation From Hell: What You Need to Know About Traveling With a Gun
AZ DPS returned my application approximately 60 days after I sent it. I then had to get a money order (a cashier’s check is also acceptable) for the $60, and resend the application. About 70 days later, this month actually, I finally got my AZ CWP.
It literally says all over the application that they do not accept personal checks. For some reason, my brain wasn’t working the day I put everything together. So, don’t make the same mistake I did.
Conclusion
Maybe there will come a time when we have national reciprocity across all 50 states. Who knows, SCOTUS is now deciding a big case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which may strike down New York’s restrictive “may issue” concealed carry standard.
The decision is expected to come down in June and it could have major repercussions for all of the other commie states (Hawaii, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, etc.) that require one to obtain permission from a local judge or CLEO before he or she can exercise his or her fundamental right to keep and bear arms.
We could see the high court force those states to adopt a “shall-issue” standard which could open up the door for national reciprocity legislation. But, again, who knows. That could be a long, long ways away. In the meantime, I’d recommend that you obtain an AZ CWP. It’s easy, not too expensive and it gives you more coverage as a responsibly armed citizen.
EDIT TO ADD: As some of our astute readers have pointed out, it appears both PA and FL do NOT recognize non-resident permits. This means my AZ permit is no good! What I’ll have to do is apply for non-resident permits in both PA and FL to have coverage. UGH! Stay tuned. I’ve already downloaded the Florida app.
You are still wrong about your ability to obtain an out-of-state resident concealed carry permit for Pa. You must FIRST have a valid permit for your own state. That Pa law changed several years ago.
I do have a valid permit in NY, my home state.
Been fingerprinted many times for various local and state permits, backgrounds, et al and federal, etc…amazing they don’t share these…they would if a crime/criminal…must be merely a money-maker to force doing it again and again, or their systems are broken for reading to each other. A lot of this sort of stuff could be improved if agencies cooperated better to fix/update/integrate records access.
The Arkansas license is valid in the same states as the Arizona license. Unfortunately, Arkansas doesn’t issue a nonresident license.
I’m fortunate in the fact I’m a Michigander and Michigan has Reciprocity with 40 “ Shall Issue “ States. That being said though always keep up on the laws of your State and the States you will be traveling to & through!
It’s great to be able to obtain a CCW that’s recognized by so many other states, moreover, to have the opportunity to protect yourself (family) by purchasing membership in USCCA. Having said that, does anyone know of a study (anonymously of course) that captures a realistic figure of how many weapons are carried concealed without permits for self and family defense? I bet there are tons of gun owners who do this where local gun laws work against the 2nd Amendment, but for the criminals who take advantage of an unarmed populace. Just wondering ….
I agree with Todd, hopefully this won’t overload AZDPS with non resident app’s. They should make it AZ residents only. You should work to change the requirements in your state instead of trying to circumvent it at our expense.
It’s a revenue source for your state, that’s why they do it. But yeah, I agree with the sentiment that we need to get our own house in order here in NYS. It’s an uphill battle, and then some.
“may-issue” and “shall-issue” leave wiggle room for the “civil servants”. “Will-issue” is mandatory and also takes them off the hook from protecting you against yourself.
Looks like, then, that it is time for us here in Arizona to reign this nonsense in.
It should be granted to ONLY those of us legally residing in the state.
There is NO way that this becoming widely known will do anything but hurt honest, legal Arizona residents – eventually.
Todd.
Reciprocity is a spite game between states. In many cases it varies on training and I won’t recognize yours if you don’t recognize mine kind of games.
Even more so it’s a money game.
Money Orders can be obtained at any Post Office in the US.
I believe you may be wrong on two counts regarding PA. Be advised that I am not a lawyer and only offer this information as my opinion. You must always verify the laws for yourself.
Firstly I believe that PA law allows you to carry in your motor vehicle (though not outside) with a NY license. PA also allows unlicensed open carry except in Philly.
Secondly I believe that PA only recognizes other states’ resident licenses and hence not an AZ non-resident. Please check it out and be careful.
He did say in the last paragraph that Pennsylvania and Florida don’t recognize nonresident permits.
Too bad Google got their nose under the tent flap. Now you need their permission to access your embedded file for the application.
I believe I just fixed that
I’m not a lawyer nor do I play one on tv, but following the link to the reciprocity maps reveals that FL and PA only resident permits, and do NOT honor non-resident permits.
I think that you wasted your $60.
For what it’s worth, I share your frustration. My CCW from IL is not reciprocated in FL, so I have looked into getting a non resident license from some other state, but there is no point.
Last thing, it’s rather stupid and spiteful (plus unconstitutional) for other states to not accept CCW licenses issued by restrictive states like IL and NY just because our home state doesn’t have reciprocity.
Are you aware that when one changes it’s status to a non resident alien or as a state national one has permission to carry in all 50 states open or concealed?
Arizona is an open carry state you don’t need it like Kentucky and a few other states where you have real rights.