Is a California Resident Permit Valid in Arizona?

Why

• Arizona recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
• Arizona allows permitless carry for eligible adults 21+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

A.R.S. § 13-3112(Q): Arizona recognizes any other state's permit if it is valid in the issuing state and the holder is legally present and not prohibited — no resident-only condition, so non-resident permits qualify. But out-of-state permit holders under 21 may not carry concealed in Arizona (§ 13-3112(S)).

Carry rules in Arizona

Whatever your permit status, Arizona law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.

• No proactive duty, but if an officer asks whether you are carrying a concealed deadly weapon you must answer accurately (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1)(b)); permit holders must present the permit for inspection on request (§ 13-3112(A), civil penalty up to $300).
• Arizona sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Arizona allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Anyone 21+ who may lawfully possess may carry a loaded handgun, concealed, in a vehicle without a permit; under-21s are limited to visible-holster or cased transport.

Off-limits places in Arizona

Arizona bans carry in 5 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• School grounds (K-12)
• Polling places on election day

See all 5 places you can't carry in Arizona →

California vs Arizona: what changes at the state line

Crossing from California into Arizona changes 4 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (21+)); magazine limit (10 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (None → All states); open carry (Restricted → Yes, no permit).

Going the other way, an Arizona resident permit in California: not recognized.

Driving on from Arizona

How a California resident permit fares in the states bordering Arizona:

• Nevada — Not recognized
• New Mexico — Not recognized
• Utah — Recognized — and permitless carry applies

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Arizona honor a California non-resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. The answer is the same as for the resident permit on this page.

Can an Arizona resident permit holder carry in California?

Not recognized. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on California's law, not Arizona's.

Where does Arizona publish its official reciprocity list?

Arizona publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.