Arizona State Law Summary

Posted on January 3, 2012

Last updated February 10, 2012

In our publication Gun Laws Matter 2012: Understanding the Link Between Weak Laws and Gun Violence, the Law Center ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 29 different firearms-related policy areas. Arizona ranked 49th out of 50 – having enacted some of the weakest gun violence prevention laws in the country. Among other things, Arizona does not:

Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private, unlicensed parties;
Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines;
Require firearms dealers to obtain a state license;
Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;
Impose a waiting period on firearm sales;
Regulate unsafe handguns (“junk guns” or “Saturday night specials”);
Significantly regulate ammunition sales;
Provide local governments with authority to regulate firearms; or
Require a license to carry a concealed firearm in public.

In 2009, Arizona had the 15th highest number of gun deaths per capita among the states. In addition, based on data published by Mayors Against Illegal Guns (“MAIG”), Arizona had the 13th highest rate of crime gun exports among the states – meaning that crime guns originally sold in Arizona were recovered after being used in crimes in other states at the 13th highest rate among the states.

According to MAIG, Arizona is also one of the top three source states for U.S. guns that are recovered after being used in a crime in Mexico. When population is taken into account, Arizona has the highest rate of crime gun exports to Mexico of any state.