Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit - What a refreshing experience!

[BigJ]

I debated posting this but it was just such a cool experience that I've got to share.

I applied for and was granted a non resident permit in AZ. My card and paperwork arrived Monday, but I noticed my last name was misspelled. So I gave the number on the letter a call and ended up blown away with how I was treated:

-an English speaking friendly female voice welcomed me to the "Arizona Department of Public Safety, Concealed Weapons Permit department", and asked how she could help me.

-I explained I had applied for and just received my non resident permit, but that my last name was spelled incorrectly.

-She immediately apologized, saying they've been overwhelmed recently by applications and in trying to get permits out to applicants as fast as possible, they've made a few clerical errors here and there. She also said they just last week implemented steps to avoid future issues like mine.

-She asked for my info, pulled up my account, verified the correct spelling twice, and informed me a new card would be created and sent first thing Tuesday morning.

-Before hanging up, she apologized again. I said no problem of course, and commented how I thought it was a good thing that they're busy. She agreed, saying she's really liked seeing the "increased interest" in responsible American gun ownership, and in obtaining the proper permit to carry it legally as often as possible. She also expressed regret that I live in California, and hope that one day we'd "see the light" before it was too late.

Talk about a refreshing experience! No press one for English, no messages to leave, no waiting on a call back, no being made to feel like I'm a criminal, no being made to feel like I'm begging for permission. Just straight up good old fashion 2A support and service to that end.

Rock on AZ!

[psssniper]

A quick search and it seems that you are exempt form the Arizona required 8 hour training IF you have a CCW from any other state. Anyone have experience that bears this out?

[Decoligny]

A quick search and it seems that you are exempt form the Arizona required 8 hour training IF you have a CCW from any other state. Anyone have experience that bears this out?

It depends upon the state that the CCW is issued from and whether or not they have a training requirement.

If a state has no training requirement to get a CCW, then AZ will not accept that CCW as proof of training.

From the AZ Law on CCW:

ARS 13-3112(E)(6)(a-d)

6. Has ever demonstrated competence with a firearm as prescribed by subsection N of this section and provides adequate documentation that the person has satisfactorily completed a training program or demonstrated competence with a firearm in any state or political subdivision in the United States. For the purposes of this paragraph, "adequate documentation" means:

(a) A current or expired permit issued by the department of public safety pursuant to this section.

(b) An original or copy of a certificate, card or document that shows the applicant has ever completed any course or class prescribed by subsection N of this section or an affidavit from the instructor, school, club or organization that conducted or taught the course or class attesting to the applicant's completion of the course or class.

(c) An original or a copy of a United States department of defense form 214 (DD-214) indicating an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions, a certificate of completion of basic training or any other document demonstrating proof of the applicant's current or former service in the United States armed forces as prescribed by subsection N, paragraph 5 of this section.

(d) An original or a copy of a concealed weapon, firearm or handgun permit or a license as prescribed by subsection N, paragraph 6 of this section.

...

N. An applicant shall demonstrate competence with a firearm through any of the following:

1. Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class that is available to the general public, that is offered by a law enforcement agency, a junior college, a college or a private or public institution, academy, organization or firearms training school and that is approved by the department of public safety or that uses instructors who are certified by the national rifle association.

2. Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Arizona game and fish department or a similar agency of another state.

3. Completion of any national rifle association firearms safety or training course.

4. Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class that is offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies or other divisions or subdivisions of law enforcement or security enforcement and that is approved by the department of public safety.

5. Evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States armed forces.

6. A valid current or expired concealed weapon, firearm or handgun permit or license that is issued by another state or a political subdivision of another state and that has a training or testing requirement for initial issuance.

7. Completion of any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualification to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties.

8. Completion of any other firearms safety or training course or class that is conducted by a department of public safety approved or national rifle association certified firearms instructor.

[Backcountry]

A DD214 is also accepted as a training document.

[Untamed1972]

A quick search and it seems that you are exempt form the Arizona required 8 hour training IF you have a CCW from any other state. Anyone have experience that bears this out?

Yes....it is. I just sent them a copy of my UT permit and it was GTG. Also have a PC832 firearms cert that I sent them a copy of for good measure, but really didn't need to.

[disturbed1]

Does the CA handgun certificate fall under the handgun ermit requirement?

[SouperMan]

Does the CA handgun certificate fall under the handgun ermit requirement?

California Handgun Safety Certificate? No.

[Dark Sky Solutions]

I debated posting this but it was just such a cool experience that I've got to share.

I applied for and was granted a non resident permit in AZ. My card and paperwork arrived Monday, but I noticed my last name was misspelled. So I gave the number on the letter a call and ended up blown away with how I was treated:

-an English speaking friendly female voice welcomed me to the "Arizona Department of Public Safety, Concealed Weapons Permit department", and asked how she could help me.

-I explained I had applied for and just received my non resident permit, but that my last name was spelled incorrectly.

-She immediately apologized, saying they've been overwhelmed recently by applications and in trying to get permits out to applicants as fast as possible, they've made a few clerical errors here and there. She also said they just last week implemented steps to avoid future issues like mine.

-She asked for my info, pulled up my account, verified the correct spelling twice, and informed me a new card would be created and sent first thing Tuesday morning.

-Before hanging up, she apologized again. I said no problem of course, and commented how I thought it was a good thing that they're busy. She agreed, saying she's really liked seeing the "increased interest" in responsible American gun ownership, and in obtaining the proper permit to carry it legally as often as possible. She also expressed regret that I live in California, and hope that one day we'd "see the light" before it was too late.

Talk about a refreshing experience! No press one for English, no messages to leave, no waiting on a call back, no being made to feel like I'm a criminal, no being made to feel like I'm begging for permission. Just straight up good old fashion 2A support and service to that end.

Rock on AZ!

Glad you had a pleasurable experience with my state. I can't wait to get back.

[lgm118icbm]

I was very pleased with my experience with them as well. It was indeed "refreshing" to run into someone who works for the govt who was kind, professional and educated.

[DuknBucks]

A quick search and it seems that you are exempt form the Arizona required 8 hour training IF you have a CCW from any other state. Anyone have experience that bears this out?

they sent my packet back due to missing NRA info......i had just got my CCW here and just sent them a copy....within a week i received my AZ permit.

Arizona Rocks!

[paul0660]

Quick, easy, and you can carry in Nevada.

[NOTABIKER]

I was very pleased with my experience with them as well. It was indeed "refreshing" to run into someone who works for the govt who was kind, professional and educated.

gov workers in AZ do not have a union, so they must earn their pay. how refreshing.

[tuna quesadilla]

I debated posting this but it was just such a cool experience that I've got to share.

I applied for and was granted a non resident permit in AZ. My card and paperwork arrived Monday, but I noticed my last name was misspelled. So I gave the number on the letter a call and ended up blown away with how I was treated:

-an English speaking friendly female voice welcomed me to the "Arizona Department of Public Safety, Concealed Weapons Permit department", and asked how she could help me.

-I explained I had applied for and just received my non resident permit, but that my last name was spelled incorrectly.

-She immediately apologized, saying they've been overwhelmed recently by applications and in trying to get permits out to applicants as fast as possible, they've made a few clerical errors here and there. She also said they just last week implemented steps to avoid future issues like mine.

-She asked for my info, pulled up my account, verified the correct spelling twice, and informed me a new card would be created and sent first thing Tuesday morning.

-Before hanging up, she apologized again. I said no problem of course, and commented how I thought it was a good thing that they're busy. She agreed, saying she's really liked seeing the "increased interest" in responsible American gun ownership, and in obtaining the proper permit to carry it legally as often as possible. She also expressed regret that I live in California, and hope that one day we'd "see the light" before it was too late.

Talk about a refreshing experience! No press one for English, no messages to leave, no waiting on a call back, no being made to feel like I'm a criminal, no being made to feel like I'm begging for permission. Just straight up good old fashion 2A support and service to that end.

Rock on AZ!

There is no non-resident permit. There is a concealed weapons permit. You have a concealed weapons permit. Period. Done. End of story. Full stop. The state of AZ does not believe that the right to carry should only be extended to those who live within its borders.

A quick search and it seems that you are exempt form the Arizona required 8 hour training IF you have a CCW from any other state. Anyone have experience that bears this out?

As addressed above, it depends. But the 8-hour training thing that you are quoting is no longer relevant. They reduced the minimum training requirement. My class was ~2 hours.

[becxltoo984]

I've had my AZ ccw since 07. Took my course on a Saturday mailed off the ccw package that Monday had the permit in my hand the following Tuesday .

Recently renewed it had the new permit back in 16 days !

[johnny1290]

they sent my packet back due to missing NRA info......i had just got my CCW here and just sent them a copy....within a week i received my AZ permit.

Arizona Rocks!

Same thing here...I messed up the paperwork and they sent it back, then I returned it and got my license within 10 days or so.