Question about Carry in AZ

[For Freedom]

If I do NOT have a concealed weapons permit,

Can I carry a loaded pistol on my belt at 3 o'clock in an automobile,

If the pistol does not have a garment covering it (in other words I would be open carrying if I stepped out of the vehicle)?

 

[Treo]

My understanding is if it's in the vehicle it's concealed

 

[JesseL]

treo, your understanding of Arizona law is wrong.

From the Arizona Revised Statutes (13-3102):

13-3102. Misconduct involving weapons; defenses; classification; definitions

A. A person commits misconduct involving weapons by knowingly:

...

2. Carrying a deadly weapon without a permit pursuant to section 13-3112 concealed within immediate control of any person in or on a means of transportation; or

...

F. Subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section shall not apply to a weapon or weapons carried in a belt holster which holster is wholly or partially visible, or carried in a scabbard or case designed for carrying weapons which scabbard or case is wholly or partially visible or carried in luggage. Subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section shall not apply to a weapon or weapons carried in a case, holster, scabbard, pack or luggage that is carried within a means of transportation or within a storage compartment, map pocket, trunk or glove compartment of a means of transportation.

You are legally in the clear if your gun is in a holster.

There was a recent case where someone was convicted for illegally concealing a gun in their vehicle, but as I read the case it was not in a holster or any of the approved locations, and was only visible from a particular angle. This case has stirred up some legislation to expand the allowable circumstances of unlicensed vehicle carry, but it's still working through the legislative process.

Bottom line, if your gun is in a holster, scabbard, pack, luggage, storage compartment, map pocket, trunk, glove box, OR very plainly visible from outside the car; you should be okay.

Do not stash your gun under the seat, between the seats, or anywhere else that will conceal it that is not listed in the exceptions.

 

[threefeathers]

AZ has open carry, buy a holster.

 

[WayneConrad]

JesseL, There's some gray area here. If I carry at 3 o'clock, and buckle my seat belt, there's darned little of my sidearm showing, and precious little of even my holster showing. Pretty much everything is covered up by me, my seat, the seatbelt, or the seatbelt buckle. Tell the truth, it'd be a bit of a deal just to draw from that position. Concealed or not?

Beats me. I have the CCW permit to cover circumstances such as that.