Open carry is very natural in AZ, I do it all the time! In the summer it makes perfect sense. Arizona is all about our Wild West history. Been to Tombstone many times- Boot Hill- yep, lots of graves marked "hanged by mistake" DOH!
Someone mentioned AZ Rangers. The original Rangers were the true badasses of Arizona- a total of 26 of them basically tamed the entire state- took only 8 years to do it. They were so successful the Governor of Sonora Mexico invited them to come and help with some of the trouble he was having. The Rangers obliged and caused such a bru-haha with the Feds that they were disbanded in 1909 didn't much matter as they had largely accomplished their mission.
There are modern day rangers as well. In 1957 the State Legislature passed an act allowing a group of the original Rangers re-organize as an unpaid, all volunteer, law enforcement support and assistance civilian auxiliary in the State who work co-operatively at the request of and under the direction, control, and supervision of established law enforcement officials and officers. They also provide youth support and community service and work to preserve the tradition, honor, and history of the 1901-1909 Arizona Rangers.
Modern day Rangers get a lot of the same training as LEOs do (but I understand they train once or twice a month- so in many cases they are BETTER trained than LEOs), but have only citizen's arrest powers. I heard too that a few years ago, the AZ Rangers tactical team was accidentally invited to the SWAT competition in Vegas and placed 2nd to LAPD SWAT- not bad if it's true.
In the rural areas they are often called upon to assist the local LE agencies. There was talk of having the Rangers assist with patroling the town of Wickenberg-I don't know what came of that though. There is legislation pending that would grant the Rangers additional LE authority when working under the direct supervision of a LEO.
In other words, the Rangers are John Q Gun Owner, doing his part to give back to his community. No I am not a Ranger, but I've been considering it- if I can get passed the whole "black cowboy hat" thing. :banghead: