This week, Senate Bill 1108 passed the Arizona State House by a vote of 36 to 19 with five absent votes. The bill now moves to Governor Jan Brewer’s (R) desk for her consideration. As of now, the effective date for this bill has yet to be determined.
Under Arizona law it is generally legal to carry a firearm openly as long as you are 18 years of age and not prohibited from possessing a firearm. However, if the firearm becomes covered, say with a coat, or if you are a woman and prefer to carry your firearm in your purse, you need to possess a concealed carry permit. The intent of this legislation is to give people the greatest possible freedom to choose the best method of carry for them. SB 1108 would generally allow law-abiding persons to carry a firearm openly or concealed for self-defense without a permit. Of course, you should always be mindful of, and obey, state and local laws.
Arizona’s constitution, Article 2, Section 26 clearly states that “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the state shall not be impaired…” The intention of this language could not be clearer.
Please contact Governor Brewer and respectfully urge her to support this important piece of legislation. You can contact the Governor by phone, at (602) 542-4331; or you can click here to e-mail her.